Lisinopril - Overview

Lisinopril is a medication used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure that is available as generic lisinopril or branded lisinopril marketed under brand names like Prinivil and Zestril. People interested in getting a prescription for lisinopril medication can connect with licensed medical providers through Push Health who can prescribe lisinopril medication, including generic lisinopril tablets, when appropriate to do so.

Lisinopril - What Is It Used For?

Lisinopril prescription medication is prescribed for several well-established conditions:

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Lisinopril is one of the most widely prescribed medications for high blood pressure. As an ACE inhibitor, it lowers blood pressure by blocking the formation of angiotensin II - a hormone that constricts blood vessels and stimulates sodium and water retention. Reducing angiotensin II allows blood vessels to relax and widen, lowering the pressure the heart must pump against. Lisinopril medication is effective as both monotherapy and in combination with other antihypertensives, particularly thiazide diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide.

Heart Failure. Lisinopril is FDA-approved for the treatment of heart failure, particularly heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. In heart failure, ACE inhibitors reduce the workload on the heart by lowering vascular resistance and decreasing the neurohormonal activation that drives disease progression. Lisinopril has been shown in clinical trials to reduce hospitalizations and mortality in heart failure patients.

Diabetic Kidney Disease (Nephropathy) Lisinopril medication is used to slow the progression of kidney disease in patients with diabetes and protein in the urine (proteinuria). Lisinopril may help reduce glomerular pressure within the kidney, protecting the renal filtration units (glomeruli) from damage associated with poorly controlled diabetes.

Lisinopril - Dosage and Cost

The lisinopril used to formulate tablets is a white to off-white crystalline powder that is soluble in water. Lisinopril pills are typically round, biconvex uncoated tablets that can be white, pink, red or yellow, depending on the lisinopril dosage in the tablet. Lisinopril tablets are supplied in 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, 30mg and 40mg tablets. Inactive ingredients that can be found in lisinopril tablets include calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, mannitol and starch. Lisinopril tablets should be stored at room temperature and protected from moisture, freezing and excessive heat. Lisinopril tablets are moderately affordable, costing under $1 per lisinopril tablet. Lisinopril prescription discount cards might be available from a variety of sources and some insurance plans may also help with costs associated with lisinopril prescription medication when buying lisinopril tablets at the pharmacy.

Can I Buy Lisinopril Online?

Generic lisinopril requires a valid prescription in the United States before lisinopril tablets can be dispensed by a pharmacy. For this reason, lisinopril OTC (over the counter) is not available and one cannot just buy lisinopril online without first consulting a licensed provider. Push Health can connect people who need a prescription for lisinopril medication with a licensed medical provider who can prescribe lisinopril tablets, including generic lisinopril 2.5 mg tablets, lisinopril 5 mg tablets, lisinopril 10 mg tablets, lisinopril 20 mg tablets and lisinopril 40 mg medication, when appropriate.

How Lisinopril Works - More Information

Lisinopril prescription medication belongs to a class of medications known as an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) - similar to benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), quinapril (Accupril) and ramipril (Altace). Lisinopril medication is thought to lower blood pressure by suppressing the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. In adults, lisinopril administration reduces standing and supine blood pressure with minimal increase in the heart rate.

Lisinopril medication is sometimes utilized more than comparable medications as it has a longer half-life and is not broken down by the liver. The effect on blood pressure is additive when lisinopril is utilized at the same time as a thiazide-type diuretic such as in a lisinopril - hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) combinations known as Prinzide and Zestoretic. Lisinopril medication also appears to have kidney-protective effects in patients with diabetes and proteinuria.

Lisinopril tablets reach peak serum concentrations about seven hours after oral administration. When taken orally, the absorption of lisinopril is not generally affected if the medication is taken with food. The effective half-life of lisinopril after oral administration is twelve hours. Many people will see effects on their blood pressure from one to twenty-four hours after a dose of lisinopril medication. Other people will need up to four weeks before the target blood pressure is reached. Lisinopril does not seem to bind to other proteins in the serum and is excreted in the urine. Because it is processed by the kidneys, impaired renal function can decrease the amount of lisinopril eliminated from the body.

Lisinopril vs. Losartan

Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that provides similar blood pressure reduction and kidney protection to lisinopril but works at a different point in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Both drugs are used for hypertension and diabetic kidney protection. The key practical difference is that losartan does not typically cause the dry cough associated with lisinopril, making it an alternative when a patient develops an intolerable cough on lisinopril. Lisinopril and losartan should not be taken together, as combining ACE inhibitors and ARBs increases the risk of side effects without additional cardiovascular benefit for most patients.

Lisinopril - Side Effects

Lisinopril prescription medication can cause side effects but is typically tolerated well. Side effects of lisinopril prescription medication use include nausea, headache, dizziness, and a rash. More serious side effects include liver problems, high potassium levels, low blood pressure, and angioedema. Lisinopril medication can also cause some significant side effects:

Dry Cough. A persistent dry, tickling cough is the most common reason patients are switched from lisinopril to another blood pressure medication. The cough is thought to be more common in women and in patients of Asian ancestry.

Angioedema. Angioedema is a sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, or intestines. It is a rare but potentially life-threatening adverse effect of lisinopril medication use. Angioedema can cause airway obstruction and requires immediate emergency medical attention. Patients who experience any sudden facial or throat swelling while taking lisinopril should seek emergency care immediately.

High Potassium (Hyperkalemia). Lisinopril use can raise blood potassium levels by reducing aldosterone secretion. Hyperkalemia is more likely in patients with kidney disease, diabetes, or those taking potassium-sparing diuretics or potassium supplements. Patients on lisinopril should be cautious with high-potassium foods and regular monitoring is recommended.

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Lisinopril can cause a significant drop in blood pressure, particularly after the first dose. This is most likely to occur in patients who are dehydrated, volume-depleted, or taking diuretics. Patients starting lisinopril are often advised to take their first dose at bedtime and to rise slowly from sitting or lying positions to reduce dizziness risk.

Lisinopril medication should not be used by pregnant women or women planning on getting pregnant soon. Before stopping lisinopril medication, it is important to discuss the plan with one's medical provider. Like all medications, lisinopril prescription tablets can cause allergic reactions in susceptible people. All concerns about side effects that might result from using lisinopril tablets are best directed to the pharmacist and one's prescribing medical provider.

How to Get a Lisinopril Prescription with Push Health

1. Complete a brief health intake. Answer a few questions about your blood pressure history, current medications, kidney function, and any relevant medical history - including prior reactions to ACE inhibitors.
2. Connect with a licensed medical provider. A provider will review your information and evaluate whether lisinopril is appropriate for your situation. Same-day consultations are available.
3. Receive your prescription electronically. If lisinopril is appropriate, your provider will send a prescription to a pharmacy of your choice - no office visit required.
4. Pick up your medication. Generic lisinopril is available at most retail pharmacies and delivery options are also available. Lisinopril medication typically costs under $10 for a 30-day supply. No health insurance is required.

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More Lisinopril Information

• Lisinopril - Medline