Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide
About
Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide belongs to a class of medication called 'anti-hypertensive agents' prescribed alone or in combination with other drugs to lower the raised blood pressure. Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide is also used to treat fluid retention (oedema) and kidney problems due to Type II diabetes in patients with high blood pressure. Hypertension (High blood pressure) is a condition in which the force exerted by the blood against the artery walls becomes so high that it causes health problems, such as heart disease.
Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide contains two medicines, namely: Lisinopril (blood pressure-lowering agent) and Hydrochlorothiazide (diuretics or water pills). Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme or ACE inhibitor that lower increased blood pressure by blocking a naturally occurring substance known as angiotensin II (that tightens your blood vessels). It allows these constricted blood vessels to relax and therefore helps lower high blood pressure. On the other hand, Hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic) works by increasing the amount of urine passed out from the kidneys. It effectively reduces excess fluid overload in the body and treats oedema (swelling) associated with heart, liver, kidney, or lung disease. This reduces the heart's workload and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, collectively, both help lower high blood pressure, reducing heart attack, or stroke chances.
Take Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide as prescribed. Your doctor will advise you on the exact dosage and how often you have to take Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience nausea, taste change, stomach pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, decreased blood pressure, cough, increased blood lipid level, and electrolyte imbalance. Most of these side effects of Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor. Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide may lower your blood pressure, especially if taken with alcohol. So, avoid driving and operating heavy machinery.
Try not to stop taking this medicine of your own. Even if your blood pressure becomes normal, you should not stop using Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide. Doing so may worsen your condition. Let your doctor know if you have had or currently have any kidney disease, liver disease, glaucoma, high levels of calcium in your blood, or diabetes. Do not take Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide if you are more than 3 months pregnant or if you are a breast-feeding woman. You should regularly monitor your blood pressure and heart rate. Please tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines or are allergic to Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide. Reducing the amount of table salt (sodium chloride) in your food often relieves the body's swelling. Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended for children under 6 years of age.
Uses of Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide
Medicinal Benefits
Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide contains Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide. Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that lowers increased blood pressure by blocking a naturally occurring substance known as angiotensin II (that tightens your blood vessels). It allows these constricted blood vessels to relax and therefore helps lower high blood pressure. On the other hand, Hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic) works by increasing the amount of urine passed out from the kidneys. It effectively reduces excess fluid levels in the body and treats oedema (swelling) associated with heart, liver, kidney, or lung disease. This reduces the heart's workload and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, collectively, both help lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of heart attack or stroke. However, Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide does not cure high blood pressure (hypertension) but does help control it.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide
- Nausea
- Taste change
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Decreased blood pressure
- Cough
- Electrolyte imbalance
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide should not be given to people with diabetes, impaired kidney function, if you are unable to urinate, pregnant women, or planning to get pregnant and breastfeeding women. Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide may contraindicate in patients with low blood pressure (hypotension), cardiogenic shock (sudden stopping of blood flow to the heart), anuria (patients with nil urine output), and aortic stenosis (heart valve problem). Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide can pass into breast milk, but its effect on the baby is not known. So, it is better to tell your doctor if you are taking Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide and breastfeeding. Do not consume alcohol with Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Avoid potassium supplements with Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide as they may lead to high potassium levels in the blood. Regular blood tests and blood pressure monitoring are recommended while taking Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide. Drinking a lot of fluids as Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide can cause dehydration, so to avoid unpleasant side effects, increase the intake of fluids. Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended for children with severe kidney impairment. Inform your doctor before taking Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide if you have low levels of potassium or sodium in your blood, glaucoma, narrowing (stenosis) of the kidney artery, high levels of calcium in your blood, kidney disease, or liver disease. Before undergoing any surgery, inform the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide. Inform your doctor, if you are already taking medicines such as high blood pressure medication (valsartan, telmisartan, irbesartan), Racecadotril, a medicine used to treat diarrhoea, Vildagliptin, a medicine used to treat diabetes.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide may interact with cholestyramine, colestipol (cholesterol-lowering medicines); insulin or oral diabetes medicine; lithium (used to major depressive disorder); NSAIDs (to treat pain and inflammation)--aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam. Racecadotril, a medicine used to treat diarrhoea; Vildagliptin, a medicine used to treat diabetes.
Drug-Food Interactions: You are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide should not be given to people with low blood pressure (hypotension), severe allergic reactions (angioedema), liver disease, or heart failure, gout, diabetes or impaired kidney function, patients with nil urine output (anuria), etc.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is advised to avoid consuming alcohol with Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide as it could lead to increased drowsiness or dizziness.
Pregnancy
unsafeThe use of Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide or any ACE inhibitors (lisinopril) is usually contraindicated during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. It may cause harm to the developing fetus. Hence, you should always consult your doctor before using Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide.
Breast Feeding
unsafeUse of Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended during breastfeeding.
Driving
unsafeDrive with caution, Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide may cause blurry vision, and dizziness or weariness may occur.
Liver
cautionLisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide to be taken with caution, especially in case of liver disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionLisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide to be taken with caution, especially in case of severe kidney disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionLisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended for children aged below 6 years. Also, Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended for children with severe kidney impairment.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with a body mass index (BMI) of 19.5-24.9.
- Do regular physical activity or exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week. Doing this can help you to lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm of Hg.
- Opt for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy products.
- Limit intake of sodium chloride (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
- If you are taking alcohol, then only one serving for women and two servings is advisable.
- Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spent time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily and if there is too much fluctuation, then immediately contact your doctor.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
Lab tests like complete blood count (CBC), blood sodium and potassium levels, kidney function, and liver function should be closely monitoring while taking treatment with Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide to check for side effects and progress of treatment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Blood pressure is the measurement of the force that our heart uses to pump blood to all parts of the body. Hypertension is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. High blood pressure (hypertension) can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when blood supply to the heart is blocked), brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. High blood pressure can be diagnosed with the help of a blood pressure monitor or sphygmomanometer. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg, and diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg.
FAQs
Usually, Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide is prescribed for a long term treatment ranging from weeks to months or for life long also for treating lowering raised blood pressure, swelling due to fluid overload (oedema) and heart-related conditions. However, taking it on your own for years without a doctor's consent can be fatal. Hence, only take it as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you.
Yes, Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide can cause dizziness. It is advised to avoid driving or operate any heavy machinery while taking Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide. In case you feel dizzy or lightheaded, it is advised to rest for some time until you feel better.
It is advised to continue your medicine even after your blood pressure is under control or becomes normal as blood pressure can shot up at any time. If you have any discomfort, please consult your doctor immediately.
If you forget to take Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide at any time, take it as soon as you remember, then continue to take it at the usual times. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
No, it is a prescribed drug given by a physician for preventing specific medical conditions. Taking it on your own can cause unwanted side-effects.
Lisinopril+hydrochlorothiazide contains Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide. Lisinopril belongs to the group of medicines called Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors that work by lowering the body’s production of substances that could increase blood pressure. Hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic) works by increasing the amount of urine passed out from the kidneys. Thus, collectively, both help lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of heart attack or stroke.
