Some Side Effects Of Lisinopril

Lisinopril, belongs to the class of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors. Lisinopril treats hypertension and heart failure that has not responded to diuretics and digitalis. Doctors also often prescribe it within 24 hours after a heart attack. In general, lisinopril has mild, easily treated side effects.

Visual Side Effects

Lisinopril, like other ACE inhibitors, can cause visual side effects, including visual loss, double vision, and blurred vision, according to Drugs.com.

Dizziness

Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when suddenly arising from a lying or sitting position is another common side effect of lisinopril. ACE inhibitors can cause low blood pressure, which in turn causes dizziness, especially in patients on diuretics. Rarely do patients treated with lisinopril alone develop low blood pressure, however. The elderly are more likely than other patients to experience dizziness while taking lisinopril.

Cough

All ACE inhibitors can cause persistent nonproductive cough. According to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," cough occurs in 5 to 20 percent of patients taking an ACE inhibitor. Cough occurs within one to six months of starting the drug and is somewhat more likely to occur in Asians. Cough resolves after patients stop taking lisinopril.

Neutropenia

Rarely, patients develop neutropenia--a low count of a certain type of white blood cell--and bone marrow depression while taking lisinopril. This side effect occurs more often in patients with renal impairment, especially if they have a collagen vascular disease.

Congenital Malformations and Fetal Injury

Lisinopril is contraindicated during pregnancy. According to research cited by Drugs.com, infants whose mothers took an ACE inhibitor during the first trimester of pregnancy have an increased risk of major congenital malformations. Infants whose mothers took an ACEI during the second or third trimester of pregnancy have an increased risk of fetal injury and prematurity.

Angioedema

Angioedema, or swelling of the face, extremities, lips, tongue and throat occur in patients receiving ACE inhibitors, including lisinopril. This side effect may occur at any time during treatment.