This medication description is not meant for treatment prescription without the intervention of a specialist.

Common Uses

Metoprolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins). It is used to treat angina (chest pain) and hypertension (high blood pressure). It is also used to treat or prevent heart attack.

How to Take

Dosages of Lisinopril should be individualized by your doctor. It should be taken with or immediately following meals.

For high blood pressure or angina (chest pain): Adults-100 to 450 mg a day, taken as a single dose or in divided doses.

For treatment after a heart attack: Adults-50 mg every six hours starting fifteen minutes after last intravenous dose. Then 100 mg two times a day for three months to 1 to 3 years. Children-Dose must be determined by your doctor.

Warning and Precautions

If you have a history of congestive heart failure, Lisinopril should be used with caution. Be sure to alert your doctor to any signs of worsening heart failure such as weight gain or increasing shortness of breath. If you have peripheral vascular disease, use Lisinopril with caution.

Do not stop Lisinopril abruptly. This can cause increased chest pain and heart attack. Dosage should be gradually reduced. If you suffer from asthma, seasonal allergies or other bronchial conditions, or liver disease, Lisinopril should be used with caution.

Ask your doctor if you should check your pulse while taking Lisinopril. This medication can cause your heartbeat to become too slow. This medication may mask some symptoms of low blood sugar in diabetics or alter blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic, discuss this with your doctor. If you have pheochromocytoma and your doctor prescribes Lisinopril, you will first need to take an alpha-blocking drug (a different type of blood pressure medication).

Lisinopril may cause you to become drowsy or less alert; therefore, driving or operating dangerous machinery or participating in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness is not recommended until you know how you respond to Lisinopril.

Notify your doctor or dentist that you are taking Lisinopril if you have a medical emergency, or before you have surgery or dental treatment.

Notify your doctor if you have any difficulty in breathing.

Missed 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.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of Lisinopril overdose may include uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath, bluish-colored fingernails, dizziness, weakness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

Storage

Store Lisinopril at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Lisinopril out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Possible Side Effects

More common side effects may include: depression, diarrhea, dizziness, itching, rash, shortness of breath, slow heartbeat, tiredness.

More Information

The information given above is a summary. Your pharmacist can provide more information about Lisinopril. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.