Treating high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can take many forms, and often includes taking combinations of medications. Lisinopril is an antihypertensive drug that can be prescribed by itself or with other medications to treat the condition. Lisinopril, sold as Zestril and Prinivil, helps prevent blood vessels from constricting, or getting smaller. Constricted blood vessels make it harder for the heart to pump blood, thus raising blood pressure. Your heart has an easier time of it with the blood vessels open.
Temporary Side Effects
When lisinopril is first prescribed for you, you may experience side effects that are uncomfortable, but will tend to disappear as you acclimate to it. The Mayo Clinic notes the less common variety of these side effects include a lowered libido, skin rash, decreased sexual ability, impotence and a loss of strength. Rarer temporary side effects may include bodily swelling, stomach sourness, stomach pain, belching, a spinning sensation, and sensations throughout your body that include tingling, burning, prickling, crawling and itching. Others include a sensation that you or your environment are in constant motion, indigestion and muscle cramps.
Common Serious Side Effects
Call your physician immediately if you experience vision blurring, cloudy urine, abnormal weakness, mental confusion, lowered urine output, sweating, abnormal tiredness, lightheadedness or dizziness. These are the more common forms of serious side effects from lisinopril. Less common are vomiting, pain in the abdomen, voice loss, pain throughout the body, throat soreness, congestion in the ears, diarrhea, chills, pain in the chest, sneezing, congestion in the nose, breathing difficulties, headaches or a fever.
Rare Serious Side Effects
Also requiring a consultation with your physician are such rare side effects as insomnia, pain in the arms, shortness of breath, pain in the jaw or back, shivering, discomfort in the chest or appetite loss. Other rare serious side effects may include heaviness or tightness in the chest, pain in the muscles, arrhythmia (irregular heart rate), tachycardia (accelerated heartbeat), pain in the joints or a feeling of bodily illness.
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