About Lisinopril & Kidney Function

Lisinopril is used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It is in a category of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme. According to the Mayo Clinic, lisinopril works alone or with other drugs to reduce the workload on the arteries and the heart. If there is too much pressure on them, they may not function correctly, leading to kidney failure, heart failure or stroke.

Precaution

• It is important to run through your medical history with a doctor before using lisinopril. Be sure to expressly discuss kidney or liver disease, diabetes, strokes, heart problems, dehydration and high potassium levels. If you have other medical problems, you may not be able to take this medication. If you have kidney disease and take lisinopril, your blood pressure may fall too low.

Function

• Lisinopril works for many people with heart problems because it blocks an enzyme in the body that produces the substance that causes the tightening of blood vessels. With this medication, the blood vessels relax, the blood pressure drops and more blood and oxygen get to the heart.

Considerations

• Some people claim that lisinopril caused them to experience kidney failure. Doctors should do blood work to check your kidney function before prescribing this medication. As the kidneys start to fail, you will have symptoms such as weakness, tiredness, shortness of breath and swelling. As waste products build in your blood, you may lose your appetite and feel fatigued and lethargic. If the kidney failure is left untreated, mental function will decrease and you can slip into a coma.

Warning

• Drink plenty of water when taking lisinopril, because diarrhea, vomiting or sweating can occur. This can lead to kidney failure, low blood pressure or electrolyte disorders. Avoid drinking alcohol when taking lisinopril, because that could cause your blood pressure to drop further. Pregnant women should not take this medication because it can cause birth defects.

Monitoring

• According to the Mayo Clinic, your doctor should check your progress while taking lisinopril to make sure there are no unwanted effects such as kidney problems. If your legs, arms, lips or tongue swell or if you have trouble breathing, call your doctor immediately. The medication can interfere with medical tests or surgery, so you may need to stop taking it several days before appointments. If you have severe stomach pain, stop using lisinopril because you may have a condition called intestinal angioedema. Check with your doctor if your symptoms don't improve over the course of a few days.