Lisinopril is a generic drug that’s prescribed for high blood pressure, heart failure, or to reduce risk after a heart attack. As with other drugs, lisinopril can cause side effects, such as headache or cough.

Lisinopril, the active ingredient in this medication, is available as the brand-name drug Zestril. Lisinopril comes as an oral tablet.

Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects of lisinopril. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Lisinopril has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Lisinopril: Side effect specifics” section.

Lisinopril can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took lisinopril in clinical trials. These side effects can vary depending on which condition the drug is being used to treat.

More common side effects in people taking lisinopril for hypertension (high blood pressure) include:

  • headache
  • cough

More common side effects in people taking lisinopril for heart failure include:

More common side effects in people taking lisinopril after a heart attack include:

  • low blood pressure

Mild side effects can occur with lisinopril use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to lisinopril’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with lisinopril include:

  • headache
  • dizziness
  • cough
  • gastrointestinal side effects, such as constipation or gas
  • chest pain (this side effect was only seen when lisinopril was taken for heart failure)

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking lisinopril and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Lisinopril may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to lisinopril’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking lisinopril, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • low blood pressure, which may include symptoms such as:
    • trouble concentrating
    • dizziness or feeling lightheaded
    • blurry vision
  • high blood potassium levels, which may include symptoms such as:
    • fatigue
    • numbness or tingling of the hands or feet
    • diarrhea
  • liver problems, which may include symptoms such as:
    • jaundice (yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes)
    • nausea or vomiting
    • dark urine
    • abdominal pain
  • kidney problems*
  • risk of harm if taken during pregnancy*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Lisinopril: Side effect specifics.”

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Lisinopril tablets can cause an allergic reaction. In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to lisinopril tablets, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Angioedema

Although rare, lisinopril can also cause angioedema. It can happen at any time during treatment with lisinopril. With angioedema, there is swelling under the skin that can affect the face, arms, legs, lips, mouth, tongue, or intestines. This reaction may lead to other concerns, like abdominal pain or unexplained weight gain, which aren’t side effects of lisinopril but can occur due to angioedema.

Some people may be at a higher risk of angioedema. This reaction can be life threatening. So before starting lisinopril, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Lisinopril may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Do lisinopril’s side effects differ in males and females?

No, the side effects of lisinopril should not differ in males and females. In studies, both males and females tolerated the drug well. Your doctor will monitor you for side effects throughout your treatment with lisinopril.

If you have questions or concerns about side effects that you may experience from lisinopril, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: In this article, we use the terms “females” and “males” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For more information, see this article about the difference between sex and gender.

What long-term side effects does lisinopril have?

Long-term side effects from lisinopril are rare, but they can occur. Examples of long-term side effects that can happen during your treatment with lisinopril include kidney problems, such as acute kidney failure, and liver problems, such as liver damage.

To help prevent long-term side effects from occurring during your lisinopril treatment, your doctor will likely monitor your kidneys and liver with the use of blood tests.

If you’re concerned about developing a long-term side effect from lisinopril, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Can lisinopril cause changes in eyesight?

No, changes in eyesight was not a side effect reported in studies of people taking lisinopril.

However, it’s important to note that some of the side effects of lisinopril may cause changes in your eyes. For example, liver problems can cause yellowing of the eyes. In addition, angioedema may cause swelling of the eyes.

If you notice any changes in your vision or the coloring of your eyes, be sure to talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects that lisinopril may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for lisinopril.

Risk of harm if taken during pregnancy

Lisinopril has a boxed warning for the risk of harm if taken during pregnacy. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Lisinopril can cause harm to a fetus or pregnancy loss if taken during pregnancy. Specifically, it can cause kidney problems, lung problems, or skeletal changes to the fetus. Due to this risk, lisinopril should not be taken during pregnancy.

What you can do

If you become pregnant while taking lisinopril, your doctor will likely recommend stopping the medication right away. They can recommend a different treatment option for your condition. If you’re planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about safer options for treating your condition.

Kidney problems

Although rare, it’s possible to develop kidney problems, including acute kidney failure, from taking lisinopril. Symptoms of kidney problems may include:

  • urinating more or less often than usual
  • swelling of the legs or ankles
  • fatigue
  • confusion

What you can do

Throughout your treatment with lisinopril, your doctor will monitor your kidneys through blood tests. If you notice any symptoms of kidney problems, talk with your doctor right away. They may recommend stopping the drug and trying a different option for treating your condition.

Below is important information you should consider before taking lisinopril.

Lisinopril has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Lisinopril: Side effect specifics” section.

Other precautions

Before taking lisinopril, discuss your health history with your doctor. Lisinopril may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • kidney problems
  • hereditary or idiopathic angioedema
  • liver problems
  • low blood sodium levels
  • diabetes
  • low blood pressure
  • high blood potassium levels
  • previous allergic reaction or angioedema to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.