If you have high blood pressure or certain heart conditions, you may be interested in learning more about lisinopril. It’s a generic prescription drug used to:

Lisinopril comes as an oral tablet (a tablet that you take by mouth). You’ll usually take it on a long-term basis.

This article describes lisinopril’s side effects, also called adverse effects. For more information about lisinopril, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

The following are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took lisinopril in studies. These side effects can vary depending on what condition the drug is being used to treat. Note that although these are the most common side effects, not everyone taking lisinopril will experience them.

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

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:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with lisinopril include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking lisinopril unless your doctor recommends it.

Lisinopril may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with lisinopril, visit MedWatch.

Serious side effects that have been reported with lisinopril include:

* Lisinopril has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see “Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking lisinopril” in the “Warnings for lisinopril” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

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.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about lisinopril’s side effects.

Does lisinopril cause sexual side effects in men or women?

It might. In studies, erectile dysfunction (ED) was sometimes reported in men* who took lisinopril. But this side effect wasn’t common. Sexual side effects weren’t reported in women* who took lisinopril in these studies.

Note that ED can also be a symptom of high blood pressure and heart disease, which lisinopril is used to treat.

If you have sexual problems while taking lisinopril, talk with your doctor. They may investigate the possible cause and suggest ways to manage the problem. Or they may recommend switching to a different treatment for your condition.

* In this article, we use the terms “men” and “women” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Is it possible to develop long-term side effects from lisinopril?

It’s possible, but long-term side effects are rare. Most of lisinopril’s side effects are mild and get better quickly, either with continued treatment or soon after stopping the medication. Serious side effects of lisinopril also tend to get better quickly after stopping the drug, although some might need treatment.

If you have kidney damage with lisinopril, it’s usually reversible if you stop taking it. However, if you have liver damage caused by lisinopril, this might lead to long-term problems in rare cases.

Taking lisinopril for long periods of time isn’t known to increase your risk of developing side effects. But if you take lisinopril as a long-term treatment, your doctor will likely order blood tests from time to time to check for certain side effects, such as kidney problems.

If you’re concerned about long-term side effects with lisinopril, talk with your doctor.

Will my risk of side effects depend on the dose of lisinopril that I take (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg)?

Yes, it might. As with many medications, higher doses of lisinopril are more likely to cause certain side effects. For example, you’re more likely to have low blood pressure that causes dizziness or fainting with a dose of 40 milligrams (mg) than with a dose of 5 mg.

Your risk of side effects doesn’t just depend on your dose, though. Having certain conditions can also increase your risk of side effects with lisinopril. To find out more, see “Lisinopril warnings” below.

If you’re concerned about your risk of side effects with the lisinopril dosage you’re prescribed, talk with your doctor.

Can lisinopril cause weight gain?

It’s not known to. Weight gain wasn’t reported in studies of lisinopril.

Sudden weight gain could occur if you have angioedema from taking lisinopril. Angioedema is a serious allergic reaction that causes severe swelling under your skin. But you’re more likely to notice swelling, trouble breathing, or belly pain with this side effect than weight gain.

If you take lisinopril for heart failure, unexplained weight gain could be a sign that your heart failure is getting worse. Worsening heart failure can cause fluid to build up in your body, which can cause weight gain. In this case, you’d likely also have new or worsening shortness of breath.

If you have sudden weight gain while taking lisinopril, talk with your doctor, especially if you also have other symptoms. They can investigate the possible cause.

Will discontinuing lisinopril treatment cause any side effects?

No, that’s not likely. Stopping lisinopril won’t cause withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects you might have if you suddenly stop taking a drug that your body is dependent on. (With dependence, your body needs a drug to function as usual.)

However, stopping lisinopril will reverse its effects, which could worsen your condition. For example, if you take lisinopril for heart failure, stopping treatment could make your heart failure symptoms come back. If you take lisinopril for high blood pressure, stopping treatment could make your blood pressure increase. This may not cause symptoms, but it could increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.

If you’re thinking about stopping lisinopril treatment, talk with your doctor first.

Learn more about some of the side effects lisinopril may cause.

Dry cough

You may develop a persistent dry cough while taking lisinopril. In studies, a cough was one of the most common side effects reported with lisinopril.

A dry cough doesn’t produce phlegm or mucus. It’s sometimes described as tickly or scratchy.

What might help

If you have a cough with lisinopril, taking frequent sips of water may help ease this side effect. Cough medications don’t usually help this kind of cough.

Sometimes, a cough may gradually get better on its own as you continue to take lisinopril. But if it doesn’t, or it bothers you, talk with your doctor. They may suggest switching to a different medication.

Note that it might take a few weeks for a cough to go away after stopping lisinopril.

Gastrointestinal side effects

Some people may have gastrointestinal side effects while taking lisinopril. But in studies, these weren’t among the more common side effects reported with lisinopril.

Gastrointestinal side effects involve your stomach or intestines. They’re also known as digestive side effects. Examples include:

  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • gas
  • nausea or vomiting

Note that diarrhea and vomiting can make you lose more fluids than usual, which can lead to dehydration. Dehydration increases your risk of low blood pressure, dizziness, and kidney problems with lisinopril.

What might help

If you have gastrointestinal side effects with lisinopril, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. In some cases, they may suggest taking an over-the-counter medication to treat the side effect. If you have diarrhea or vomiting, try to drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids to avoid getting dehydrated.

Gastrointestinal side effects may lessen as you continue to take lisinopril. But if these side effects don’t go away, talk with your doctor. They may recommend switching to a medication other than lisinopril.

High potassium levels

Lisinopril can sometimes cause hyperkalemia, which is a high level of potassium in your blood. Hyperkalemia is usually mild and doesn’t generally cause symptoms. But if your potassium level gets too high, it can lead to serious heart problems.

Symptoms of hyperkalemia include:

You’re more likely to have hyperkalemia with lisinopril if you:

  • have kidney problems
  • have diabetes
  • take certain other medications, especially potassium-sparing diuretic medications, such as Aldactone (spironolactone)
  • take potassium supplements
  • use salt substitutes that contain potassium

What might help

Before starting lisinopril, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history, diet, and other medications you take.

Your doctor will likely order blood tests to monitor your potassium levels while you take lisinopril. But if you develop symptoms of hyperkalemia at any point, tell your doctor right away.

If your potassium level gets too high, your doctor may prescribe medication to correct it. They may also recommend stopping lisinopril temporarily.

Headache

You may have headaches while taking lisinopril. In studies, headache was one of the most common side effects reported with lisinopril.

What might help

If you have headaches with lisinopril, it may help to drink lots of water and get plenty of rest. If the headaches are bothersome, ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain reliever. It’s generally safe to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) with lisinopril.

Headaches may gradually ease as you continue to take lisinopril. But if you keep having bothersome headaches, talk with your doctor. They may suggest switching to a medication other than lisinopril.

Dizziness

It’s common to feel dizzy or lightheaded while taking lisinopril, especially if you stand up too quickly. Dizziness is caused by low blood pressure. It can sometimes lead to fainting. It’s more likely to happen in the first few days of treatment and after increases in dosage.

In studies, dizziness was one of the most common side effects reported with lisinopril.

You’re more likely to have low blood pressure and dizziness with lisinopril if you:

What might help

If you feel dizzy or lightheaded while taking lisinopril, sit or lie down until the feeling passes. If you have dizziness when standing up, it may help to get up very slowly.

If lisinopril makes you feel dizzy, you should avoid potentially dangerous activities. Examples include driving, riding bikes or horses, and climbing ladders.

To help prevent dizziness with lisinopril, make sure you drink enough fluids. This is particularly important if you have diarrhea or vomiting, or if you sweat heavily.

Dizziness usually improves with continued treatment. But if you have bothersome dizziness that doesn’t get better, talk with your doctor. They may lower your lisinopril dosage. Or they may suggest switching to a medication other than lisinopril.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, lisinopril can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your face, eyelids, lips, arms, legs, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
  • swelling in your intestine, which can cause belly pain, with or without nausea or vomiting

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to lisinopril, they’ll decide if you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to lisinopril, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your lisinopril treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how it affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how lisinopril affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Lisinopril comes with several warnings that are described below.

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm

Lisinopril has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

You should not take lisinopril if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you take lisinopril during pregnancy, it can harm the developing fetus.

To learn more, see “Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking lisinopril” below.

Other warnings

Lisinopril may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether lisinopril is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting lisinopril. Factors to consider include those described below.

Risk of angioedema. In rare cases, lisinopril may cause an allergic reaction called angioedema, which is sudden, severe swelling under the skin. Your race may affect how your body responds to this medication. Specifically, you might have a higher risk of this reaction if you are Black. You may also have a higher risk if you have had angioedema in the past. Your doctor will likely not prescribe lisinopril if you have certain kinds of angioedema. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Allergic reaction, including angioedema. If you’ve had an allergic reaction, including angioedema, to lisinopril or other angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, your doctor will likely not prescribe lisinopril. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Kidney problems. Lisinopril can sometimes worsen kidney problems. If you have kidney problems, you may also have an increased risk of high potassium levels with lisinopril. And if you have dialysis for kidney failure, you may have an increased risk of low blood pressure with lisinopril.

If you have kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe a dosage of lisinopril that’s lower than usual. And they’ll order blood tests to monitor your kidney function and potassium levels.

Heart problems. If you have certain heart problems, you may have an increased risk of low blood pressure and kidney problems with lisinopril. Talk with your doctor about whether lisinopril is safe for you.

Diabetes. If you have diabetes, you may have an increased risk of high potassium levels with lisinopril. Your doctor may order blood tests to monitor your potassium levels while you’re taking lisinopril.

Alcohol and lisinopril

Drinking alcohol with lisinopril may increase the risk of certain side effects, such as:

  • headache
  • dizziness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • blurry vision

Also, if you have high blood pressure, regularly drinking alcohol could make your blood pressure harder to manage with lisinopril.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe for you to consume while taking lisinopril.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking lisinopril

Below you’ll find information on taking lisinopril during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Lisinopril and pregnancy

Lisinopril has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Lisinopril is not safe to take during pregnancy. If taken during pregnancy, it can harm the developing fetus.

You should not take lisinopril if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking lisinopril, you should stop taking the medication and contact your doctor right away. Talk with your doctor about other options for treating your condition that are safer to use during pregnancy.

Lisinopril and breastfeeding

Your doctor will likely recommend that you don’t breastfeed while taking lisinopril. It’s not known if lisinopril passes into breast milk. But if it does, it could cause serious side effects in a breastfed child.

If you’re breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about other treatment options for your condition.

As with most medications, serious side effects are possible with lisinopril, but these occur rarely. Most people who take lisinopril don’t have side effects. If side effects do occur, they’re usually mild and go away in a few days or weeks.

If you have any questions about side effects that lisinopril can cause, talk with your doctor. You can also ask them about Zestril, which is the brand-name version of lisinopril.

A generic drug and its brand-name version are expected to have the same side effects because they contain the same active ingredient. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Here are some examples of questions you might want to ask your doctor:

  • Do I have a high risk of side effects with lisinopril?
  • Do my other medications increase my risk of side effects with lisinopril?
  • While taking lisinopril, how often will I need blood tests to check for side effects?

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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.