Lisinopril Dosage

Lisinopril

Lisinopril is one of the early members of the class of medications called angiotensin- converting enzyme inhibitors, acronym ACE inhibitors. ACE inhibitors work by stopping the conversion in the lungs of angiotensin 1 to angiotensin 2. Angiotensin 2 is a potent vasoconstrictor at the level of the smallest arteries called arterioles. By reducing the angiotensin 2 levels an ACE inhibitor like lisinopril causes dilation of the peripheral arteries and lowers blood pressure and what is called “afterload,” the pressure the heart has to work against to pump blood. Lisinopril, like the other ACE inhibitors, also has a specific kidney protective benefit by reducing the pressure on the filtering apparatus in the kidney called the glomerulus.

When people are diagnosed with diabetes doctors will prescribe ACE inhibitors to protect the kidneys from glomerular injury and to slow or prevent kidney failure. There is also evidence supporting use of lisinopril for protection of the eyes and blood vessels from complications of diabetes. Lisinopril is available in doses ranging from 2.5 mg up to 40 mg, and typical lisinopril dosage ranges from 5-40 mg. daily. In patients with congestive heart failure the lisinopril dosage is usually titrated to the highest lisinopril dosage that is tolerated. This leads to reduced hospitalization and morbidity in patients with heart failure. Use of the ACE inhibitors in CHF has been one of the major advances in care of cardiac patients in the last 2 decades.

When lisinopril is first used people may experience positional hypotension, particularly when they stand up too quickly from a chair: blood vessels are relaxed and blood is affected by gravity. Light headedness and feeling faint is a common Lisinopril side effects when taking first few doses. This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy as serious fetal adverse effects have been documented. If you have some extra time you can drop a message at the lower section of this page.