What is Prinivil?
Prinivil is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme.
Prinivil is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), congestive heart failure, and to improve survival after a heart attack.
Prinivil may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Prinivil?
Do not use Prinivil without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Prinivil could cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of Prinivil. Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking this medication, unless your doctor has told you to.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking Prinivil. Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Prinivil?
Do not use Prinivil if you are allergic to lisinopril or to any other ACE inhibitor, such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Prinivil. Before you take this medication, tell your doctor if you have:
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
heart disease or congestive heart failure;
diabetes; or
a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Prinivil without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. This medication could cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether lisinopril passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Prinivil?
Take Prinivil exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Prinivil can be taken with or without food.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking Prinivil. Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking Prinivil. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store Prinivil at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a Prinivil overdose may include feeling extremely dizzy or light-headed, or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking Prinivil?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of Prinivil. Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking Prinivil, unless your doctor has told you to.
Prinivil side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
feeling light-headed, fainting;
urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
tired feeling, muscle weakness, and pounding or uneven heartbeats;
chest pain; or
swelling, rapid weight gain.
Less serious Prinivil side effects may include:
cough;
dizziness, drowsiness, headache;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach; or
mild skin itching or rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
What other drugs will affect Prinivil?
Before taking Prinivil, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
gold injections to treat arthritis;
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
gold injections, or aurothioglucose (Solganal);
a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con;
salt substitutes that contain potassium;
insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth;
aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and others; or
a diuretic (water pill).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Prinivil. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about Prinivil.
