Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide is a combined prescription used to treat hypertension or high blood pressure. This condition adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. Hypertension generally develops over many years and it affects nearly everyone. You can have this condition for years without any symptoms. Damage to blood vessels and your heart continues and can be detected even without symptoms. For some people with hypertension, they may have headaches nosebleeds or shortness of breath. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems such as stroke and heart attack.

This product contains two medications; Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide. This is used when one drug is not controlling your blood pressure. Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It blocks a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to tighten. As a result, this relaxes the blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). It lessens the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine. In which it helps to lower the blood pressure. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved this prescription. Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide is supplied as a tablet for oral use. Each tablet is available in the dosage strengths of 10 mg/12.5 mg, 20 mg/12.5 mg, and 20 mg/25 mg.

How does Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide work?

Lisinopril blocks the action of a compound in the body called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Usually ACE creates another compound called angiotensin II as part of the body’s natural control of blood pressure. Angiotensin II causes blood vessels to constrict and narrow which increases the pressure within the blood vessels. As Lisinopril blocks the action of ACE, it decreases the production of angiotensin II. This means that the blood vessels are allowed to widen and relax. The overall effect of this is a drop in blood pressure.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic and referred to as water tablets. They take away extra fluid from the body by increasing the production of urine. Diuretics act in the kidneys. It works by causing the kidneys to increase the number of salts like sodium and potassium. These are filtered out of the blood and into the urine. When these are filtered out of the blood by the kidneys, they draw water alongside them. As diuretics increase the removal of salts from the blood, they also cause more water to be drawn out of the blood and into the urine. Removing water from the blood reduces the volume of fluid circulating through the blood vessels. This subsequently lessens the pressure within the blood vessels.

How to use Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide?

Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide is usually taken once a day in the morning or as directed by your doctor. If this medication causes you to urinate more frequently, it is best to take at least 4 hours before your bedtime. It is to prevent having to get up to urinate. Your doctor may give you a low starting dose and slowly increase it. The recommended dosage will depend on your medical condition and response to the treatment. You may take each dose with or without food. Take this medication by mouth with a full glass of water. Do not break or chew the tablet. Swallow it as a whole. Take the right dose, not more or less. Don’t forget to take it at the same time and in the same way each day. For the best benefit from this product, take it regularly. You should not suddenly stop taking this medication without the consent of your doctor. It may cause another complication or may worsen your current condition.

Drink plenty of fluids while having this medication. Doing so may lessen the risk of certain side effects. If you missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose. Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.

What are the side effects of Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide?

• Light-headedness
• Dizziness
• Depression
• Tiredness
• Headache as your body adjusts to the medication
• Blurred vision
• Dry cough
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Skin rash
• Upset stomach
• Increased sweating

Call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as:

• A decrease in vision or eye pain
• Fainting
• Unusual change in the amount of urine
• Symptoms of a high potassium blood level (muscle weakness, slow or irregular heartbeat)
• Fainting
• Signs of infection (chills, fever, or persistent sore throat)

Warnings and Precautions

• Before using this medication, let your doctor know if you ever had an allergic reaction to it. Tell as well if you have any allergies.
• If you have any medical history especially of blood filtering procedures or desensitizing treatment for lupus, kidney, and liver disease.
• Do not use any machinery or do anything the needs your alertness. This drug may make you dizzy. Do it until you know you can do it safely.
• While taking Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide, limit alcoholic beverages.
• If you have diabetes, this product may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and let your doctor know the results.
• This may make you more sensitive to the sun. It may as well increase your risk of skin cancer. Limit your time in the sun and use sunscreen or wear protective clothing when outdoors.
• Use this with caution in elderly people, those with decreased liver or kidney function, with a history of gout, diabetes, and heart failure.
• This should not be used in children, pregnancy, breastfeeding women, and those with kidney failure who need dialysis.
• Do not share this product or any of your medications with others.
• Keep this product at room temperature.