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Lisinopril As a Treatment for Kidney Disease

The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor lisinopril reduces blood pressure and has a protective effect on the kidneys. Understanding how the drug works is an important part of using lisinopril as a treatment for kidney disease.

  1. Function

    • ACE inhibitors relax the blood vessels and make it easier for the heart to pump blood. This reduces blood pressure.

    Lisinopril in Kidney Disease

    • The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that lisinopril may prevent damage of the glomeruli (filtering units) of these organs. This results in slowed progression of kidney disease.

    Research

    • Researchers in Italy studied lisinopril in 131 people with chronic renal insufficiency and proteinuria (protein in the urine). Renal function did not change significantly in participants who received lisinopril, but function declined in those receiving a placebo. This study appeared in the May 2001 (volume 16) issue of Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation.

    Effects

    • Lisinopril side effects may make it necessary to take a different drug for kidney disease and high blood pressure. Side effects include cough, depression, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, drowsiness and mild skin itching.

    Warning

    • In patients with severe renal disease, the kidneys may not filter lisinopril out of the body properly. This causes the drug to accumulate in the blood and may lead to renal failure.

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