Lisinopril belongs to first-choice medications doctors use to treat cardiovascular issues. It can be used alone or with other drugs, such as amlodipine or hydrochlorothiazide.
A patient needs a doctor’s prescription to start this drug or get a refill in their brick-and-mortar pharmacy. Over-the-counter lisinopril is not a thing because cardiovascular illnesses should be a subject of self-treatment. But those who take it constantly can take advantage of telemedicine and order it online after a virtual visit to a healthcare provider.
And if you want to know everything about this medicine, this review might be useful for you.
Drug Name: |
Lisinopril |
| Tablet Strength: | 10mg, 5mg, 2.5mg |
| Best Price: | $0.38 Per Pill |
| Payment: | Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, BTC |
Where to Buy Lisinopril? |
Visit Canadian Pharmacy |
What is Lisinopril
Lisinopril is an antihypertensive drug known under the brand name Zestril (produced by Astra Zeneca) but there are other trade names, such as:
- Privinil;
- Qbrelis;
- Dapril.
It also comes as a generic (a drug that contains the same active component that the brand does).
Usage
High blood pressure
High blood pressure is called hypertension: the prefix gives us a hint about the condition’s nature. When the pressure of blood inside blood vessels is too high, it is harder for the heart to pump it. It may lead to heart damage, such as heart attack, and it may damage the wall of a blood vessel. Because blood is harder to pump, the organs and systems, including the brain, may not get enough oxygen supply which negatively impacts their functions.
The person may not feel hypertension at all (which is dangerous because it becomes easy to miss) or they may experience headache, dizziness, or flushing.
Lisinopril – Heart failure
Heart failure is a dangerous condition when the heart cannot pump blood through the body effectively. Heart failure can be acute (symptoms manifest suddenly but it gets better rather quickly) and chronic (symptoms are continuous and the condition will not improve without treatment). In the majority of cases, it is related to another health issue: from a heart attack or hypertension to HIV.
Lisinopril is used to reduce the load on the heart in the event of chronic heart failure.
Heart attack
Heart attack, or myocardial infarction, is a life-threatening condition when the blood supply to the heart is blocked for some reason (a clot, a cholesterol plaque, etc.). Without blood heart muscles do not get oxygen and ischemic tissue starts dying.
Lisinopril is used as a part of comprehensive therapy to improve blood flow to the heart and reduce the load on it.
How Lisinopril Works
Lisinopril is an ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor. The enzyme turns a compound called angiotensin I to angiotensin II—a variation that constricts blood vessel walls and raises blood pressure. The activity of this enzyme is decreased by ACE inhibitors, allowing blood vessels to remain relaxed and blood flow to be unhindered.
How to Take Lisinopril
The medication is to be taken by mouth in a single daily dose. The absorption of the drug is not affected by food, so there are no specific recommendations related to meals unless the healthcare provider will give one based on your individual needs.
Lisinopril is manufactured in tablets, with the dosage of 2.5, 5, 10, 20, or 40 mg. Starting the treatment for an adult, the doctor will likely prescribe 10 mg daily and monitoring. Depending on the patient’s reaction to therapy, the dosage may be adjusted.
For kids, there is lisinopril in oral suspension, so that the doctor may pick up the dosage suitable for the child.
Lisinopril and Alcohol
Initially, a single dose of alcohol lowers blood pressure. Therefore, in combination with lisinopril, the effect can become synergetic and increase. Low blood pressure can make you feel weak and dizzy.
However, after about 12 hours from when alcohol consumption occurred, blood pressure tends to rise which is an undesirable effect for patients who take lisinopril. Also, long-term use of alcohol negatively affects heart health, and this negates the beneficial effect of the medicine.
During treatment, avoid drinking spirit beverages or reduce their consumption to rare occasions and minor doses.
Lisinopril interactions
All active compounds can interact with other substances and the outcome of the interaction can hurt your health. When at your doctor’s office, always tell them if you are taking anything—whether it is another medication or a supplement.
Medication
- Diuretics amplify the drop in blood pressure so that the effect can turn out to be excessive. It is necessary to watch the patient’s potassium levels .
- A combination of lisinopril and oral hypoglycemics can lower blood glucose levels up to hypoglycemia.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (pain relievers) can increase the load on the renal system and decrease lisinopril’s antihypertensive action.
- Other renin-angiotensin system blockers and inhibitors, like aliskiren, can impair renal function, including acute renal failure, and induce hypotension, syncope, and hyperkalemia (excess potassium).
- Patients getting lithium along with medications like ACE inhibitors, which cause salt to be eliminated from the body, have experienced lithium toxicity.
- Patients who receive sodium aurothiomalate treatment (parenteral gold) and an ACE inhibitor, may develop nitritoid reactions (manifested by low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, and face flushing).
Supplements
Drugs are rarely tested for interaction with supplements and herbal remedies, therefore there is limited information about it. It is recommended to avoid taking lisinopril in parallel with potassium supplements to prevent hyperkalemia. Use with caution supplements and other products that may decrease your blood pressure.
Foods
As we mentioned earlier, absorption of lisinopril is not impacted by when you have taken your meal. However, there is a list of products, recommended to be incorporated into the diet of the patient on ACE inhibitors treatment:
- Fish;
- Poultry;
- Fruits and vegetables;
- Low-fat dairy products;
- Whole grains and nuts.
Lisinopril Benefits and Risks
Advantages
- Lisinopril is an reliable antihypertensive agent;
- It contributes to faster recovery after myocardial infarction;
- The medication has a positive effect on the kidneys.
Disadvantages
- Pregnancy is a contraindication due to the risk of fetal toxicity;
- Some patients develop a persistent dry cough;
- People of color get less therapeutic effect from the medication.
Side Effects
A patient may experience the following adverse reactions:
- feeling tired;
- orthostatic effects;
- dizziness;
- dry mouth;
- GI disorders;
- skin rash;
- dry cough;
- individual intolerance.
The medication can also cause serious adverse reactions, such as:
- issues with urination (might be a sign of kidney failure);
- muscle weakness, pain in the chest, change in heart rhythm ( possible hyperkalemia);
- fainting or feeling tired, lightheaded (an acute drop of blood pressure).
We remind you to consult your healthcare provider if you notice negative effects upon taking lisinopril.
Lisinopril Cost
The cost of medication varies depending on several factors:
- Pharmacy you are ordering in;
- You are buying generic or branded medication;
- Insurance prior authorization (determines compensation provided by the insurance company);
- Number of tablets;
- Dosage.
Lisinopril Over the Counter
There is no such thing as an OTC lisinopril because no one should take heart medications without consulting a healthcare specialist. However, if you already started treatment and it is beneficial for you, you can opt for telemedicine to get your refill prescription and order your medication online.
You can avoid a trip to your provider’s office, and you can get shipping right to your doorstep. Plus, many online pharmacies offer discounts, loyalty programs, and affordable generic medications. Therefore, you can save time, effort, and money and get lisinopril without a written prescription.
Summary
Lisinopril is an antihypertensive drug available as a branded name and a generic. If the patient wonders how to get lisinopril if their prescription expired, they can get a virtual consult with a doctor who can issue an electronic refill prescription. Then, the medicine can be ordered in an online pharmacy as it would be with an OTC drug.
FAQ
Do I need a prescription for lisinopril?
Yes, cardiovascular drugs are prescription-only.
What can I take if I run out of lisinopril?
Enalapril or any other ACE-inhibiting drug may be an option if you have those. However, you should ask advice from your doctor first and get a refill as soon as possible.
Does lisinopril require a prescription?
Yes, you need a prescription to get lisinopril. If you have already started your therapy, you can get a refill prescription online from a doctor who practices telemedicine.
When lisinopril should not be taken?
Patients who are expecting, have individual hypersensitivity or have liver or renal disease shouldn’t take it. Additionally, the medicine works less efficiently on POC people.
Is lisinopril good for the heart?
Patients with hypertension may improve their heart health by taking lisinopril. It also promotes the rehabilitation of heart attack survivors.