Elevated blood pressure is something that people should take seriously. In the US, 1 in 4 people is suffering from high blood pressure. Thankfully, there are medications available to treat this condition, and one of the drugs used to lower high blood pressure is Lisinopril. (See Reference 1) This drug is invariably the first line of defense against elevated blood pressure, and is frequently prescribed by doctors in the US. (See Reference 1) However, Lisinopril has its own set of possible side effects that people should know and be aware of.
Elevated blood pressure develops when the blood creates a pressure on the walls of the arteries while flowing. (See Reference 1) Lisinopril, which is an ACE inhibitor class of drug, helps to inhibit the enzyme that causes the blood vessels to constrict and narrow. When that enzyme is inhibited, the blood vessels can relax and dilate, so that the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries reduces. (See Reference 1)
Some of the common side effects of Lisinopril are dizziness, lightheadedness, blurry vision, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea and dry persistent cough. (See Reference 1) However, most of these side effects tend to reduce or disappear as the body gets adjusted to the medication. In addition, some patients may suffer from rare side effects on taking Lisinopril, such as pain in the chest, decreased libido, alterations in the quantity of urine produced, loss of vision and symptoms of infection. (See Reference 1) It has also been seen that Lisinopril can lead to liver problems. (See Reference 1)
Lisinopril can cause high levels of certain liver enzymes, such as aspartate aminotranferase (AST) and alanine transferase (ALT) which are called transaminases. The other liver enzymes that can be elevated are cholestatic enzymes, such as alpha phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) (See Reference 2)
A person taking Lisinopril is at the risk of getting cholestatic jaundice when the liver enzymes are elevated in the body. When a person gets this kind of jaundice, the sclera of the eyes as well as the skin get a yellowish color as the bile no longer flows into the liver. (See Reference 2) It has been seen that this kind of jaundice is more common in patients taking Lisinopril and having low levels of proteins. (See Reference 2)
If a person taking Lisinopril is suffering from nausea, fatigue, lethargy, yellowing of the skin and eyes, itching of the skin, pain in the stomach, and/or having flu like symptoms, he or she should immediately consult their doctor and get a blood test and medical examination done. (See Reference 3) This could be due to liver problems brought on due to Lisinopril. Also, when a person is suffering from liver failure or liver disease, it is possible that he or she can take Lisinopril for controlling high blood pressure. (See Reference 3) However, the dosage of the medication will be low and should only be taken under supervision of a doctor. (See Reference 3)
Usually, when a person is taking Lisinopril, it is recommended that he or she go for regular check ups to the doctor to ensure that the blood pressure is being maintained and also there are no associated problems from taking the medication. A doctor may not request for a liver function test, but may get a blood test done to check out the levels of the enzymes of the liver. If the levels are elevated, then the doctor will treat the person for the associated liver problem brought on with the use of Lisinopril. (See Reference 2)
While taking Lisinopril can have grave side effects, the effects of high blood pressure on the body and health are even graver. (See Reference 1) Elevated blood pressure can lead to heart failure, strokes and kidney failure. (See Reference 1) Hence, the benefits of using Lisinopril outweigh the side effects and possible liver problems caused by the medication. (See Reference 1)
More Articles :
- Best Time Of The Day To Take Lisinopril
- Food To Avoid On Lisinopril
- Comparision Between Avandia And Lisinopril
- Can Lisinopril Cause Weight Gain ?
- Is Lisinopril Safe During Pregnancy ?
- How Long Does It Take For Lisinopril Cough To Go Away ?
- Lisinopril And Hearing Loss
Reference :1. eHow: Side Effects of Lisinopril Medicine
https://www.ehow.com/about_5052555_side-effects-lisinopril-medicine.html
2. LiveStrong: Lisinopril and Elevated Liver Enzymes
https://www.livestrong.com/article/296249-lisinopril-elevated-liver-enzymes/
3. eMedTV: Lisinopril and Liver Failure
https://blood-pressure.emedtv.com/lisinopril/lisinopril-and-liver-failure.html
When people are taking Lisinopril, they want to know what is the best time of the day to take medication. Usually, this medication is available in the form of a tablet and it is generally taken just once a day. (See Reference 1) The good news is that there is no fixed time in the day when Lisinopril should be taken. It can be taken at any time of the day as long as the person takes the medication at the same time every single day to ensure that the correct dosage of the medication is present in the blood. (See Reference 1)