Brand Name

Zestril {AstraZeneca}

Generic Name

lisinopril, pronounced lyse IN oh pril

---

Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Zestril?

Zestril is a medication to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure, and is in a group of medications called angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors {ACE inhibitors}. You may also be prescribed Zestril to treat congestive heart failure or to lower your risk of death if you have had a heart attack.

Zestril may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Zestril

Zestril is in FDA pregnancy category D. You should not use Zestril if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Zestril you should stop taking this medication and contact your doctor right away. Zestril may cause injury or death to an unborn baby if taken during your second or third trimester. You should be sure to use effective birth control while taking Zestril.

While you are taking Zestril you should not drink alcohol. Because drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure you may experience an increase in certain side effects of Zestril if you drink while taking it.

Unless your doctor has advised you to do so, you should not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Zestril.

Until you know how you will react to Zestril you should avoid getting up too fast from a lying or sitting position, as you may experience dizziness. Be sure to get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall, especially when you first begin your treatment with Zestril.

If you suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating you can easily become dehydrated while taking Zestril. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure. You should tell your doctor if you suffer from these symptoms while taking Zestril, and be certain to drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.

Continue to use Zestril as your doctor has directed, and be sure to get your blood pressure checked regularly.

Before You Take Zestril

If you are allergic to lisinopril, or any other ACE inhibitor, like benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik) you should not take Zestril.

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding you should not take Zestril.

You should inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease or congestive heart failure before taking Zestril.

If you are on dialysis or have diabetes you should tell your doctor before starting treatment with Zestril.

Let your doctor know if you have a connective tissue disease like Marfan syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis before taking Zestril.

Zestril Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• aspirin
• celecoxib (Celebrex)
• diabetes medications (oral)
• diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze)
• diuretics or water pills
• gold injections to treat arthritis
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• indomethacin (Indocin)
• meloxicam (Mobic)
• insulin
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith)
• potassium supplements like K-Dur or Klor-Con
• salt substitutes which contain potassium

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Zestril. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Zestril

You should take Zestril exactly your doctor has told you to. It is important that you do not take Zestril in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

Zestril should be taken with a full glass of water.

Zestril can be taken with or without food.

You may need to take Zestril on a long-term basis for the treatment of high blood pressure. It is important that you follow up with your doctor on a regular basis to be sure that Zestril is helping your condition and not causing you to have any adverse or harmful effects.

Zestril should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Zestril you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose is less than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

Zestril Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Zestril and seek emergency medical help immediately.

• allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• chest pain
• exhaustion
• feeling faint
• fever with chills, body aches and flu symptoms
• heartbeats which are uneven or pounding
• high potassium signs, with symptoms like a slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness or a tingly feeling
• muscle pain or weakness
• nausea
• swelling with rapid weight gain
• urinary abnormalities, such as urinating less often or not at all

Less serious side effects of Zestril may include:

• cough
• depression
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• headache
• mild itching or rash
• nausea
• upset stomach
• vomiting

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Zestril. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Zestril Description and Dosing

Zestril is available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg and 40 mg tablets for oral administration. The tablets appear as follows:

2.5 mg tablets are white, round, biconvex, uncoated and identified as “Zestril 2 1/2” on one side and “135” on the other side.

5 mg tablets are pink, capsule-shaped, biconvex, bisected, uncoated and identified as “Zestril” on one side and “130” on the other side.

10 mg tablets are pink, round, biconvex, uncoated and identified as “Zestril 10” debossed on one side, and “131” debossed on the other side.

20 mg tablets are red, round, biconvex, uncoated and identified as “Zestril 20” debossed on one side, and “132” debossed on the other side

30 mg tablets are red, round, biconvex, uncoated and identified as “Zestril 30” debossed on one side, and “133” debossed on the other side.

40 mg tablets are yellow, round, biconvex, uncoated and identified as “Zestril 40” debossed on one side, and “134” debossed on the other side.

Zestril may be prescribed in a range of doses. Your doctor will prescribe the correct dose of Zestril for you. Do not alter or change your dose of Zestril without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Zestril you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Zestril

Zestril contains lisinopril as the main active ingredient. Other inactive ingredients listed by strengths include:

2.5 mg tablets – calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, mannitol and starch.

5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg and 30 mg tablets – calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, mannitol, red ferric oxide and starch.

40 mg tablets – calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, mannitol, starch, yellow ferric oxide.

Back to Top

The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.