Zestril (lisinopril) is a brand-name oral tablet prescribed for high blood pressure and certain heart conditions. As with other drugs, Zestril can cause side effects, such as headache, low blood pressure, and cough.

Zestril has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Zestril can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Zestril in clinical trials. The more common side effects varied based on the condition being treated.

More common side effects that people taking Zestril for high blood pressure reported include:

  • headache
  • dizziness
  • cough

More common side effects that people taking Zestril for for heart failure reported include:

More common side effects that people taking Zestril to reduce the risk of death after a heart attack reported include:

Mild side effects can occur with Zestril use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Zestril’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that people using Zestril have reported include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Zestril and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Zestril may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Zestril’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Zestril, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • chest pain
  • low blood pressure, which may include symptoms such as:
    • lightheadedness
    • dizziness
    • fainting
  • kidney problems, which may include symptoms such as:
  • liver problems, which may include symptoms such as:
  • leukopenia and neutropenia (low levels of specific white blood cells) which may include symptoms such as:
  • anemia (low red blood cell levels), which may include symptoms such as:
    • shortness of breath
    • fatigue
    • irregular heartbeat
    • headache
  • thrombocytopenia (low platelet levels), which may include symptoms such as:
    • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • harm to a developing fetus if taken during pregnancy†
  • hyperkalemia†
  • angioedema†

*Zestril has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For more information, see the “Side effect specifics” section.
† For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Zestril oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Zestril, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Zestril may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Can Zestril cause life threatening side effects?

It’s possible. Zestril can cause serious side effects, such as chest pain and low blood pressure. Some serious side effects are common, while others are rare. To see a list of Zestril’s serious side effects, see the “Serious side effects of Zestril” section.

If you’re experiencing serious side effects while taking Zestril, contact your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number for medical help right away.

If you have concerns about these side effects, talk with your doctor.

How do the side effects of Zestril compare in women vs. men?

In clinical trials of Zestril, most side effects occurred similarly in males and females.* However, erectile dysfunction (ED) was reported in males and harm to a developing fetus was reported in females. In fact, Zestril has a boxed warning for harm to a fetus if taken during pregnancy. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For more information, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

To learn more about these side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* We use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Does Zestril cause long-term side effects?

Possibly. In some cases, Zestril may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time. They may also last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects that people taking Zestril reported include:

  • kidney problems
  • liver problems
  • cough
  • low levels of certain blood cells

If you’re experiencing side effects that aren’t going away while taking Zestril, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Zestril may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Zestril.

Harm to a developing fetus

Zestril has a boxed warning about the risk of harm to a developing fetus. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

You should not take Zestril if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Zestril can cause harm to a developing fetus if taken during pregnancy. It may cause low amniotic fluid, congenital anomalies (also known as birth defects), and pregnancy loss.

What you can do

If you become pregnant while taking Zestril, stop taking the drug and contact your doctor right away. If you’re planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about alternative treatment options.

Hyperkalemia

Zestril can cause hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood). This side effect was common in clinical trials of the drug.

In many cases, hyperkalemia doesn’t cause any symptoms. But very high potassium levels can cause symptoms such as:

Your risk of hyperkalemia may be higher if you have kidney problems or have diabetes. It may also be higher if you take other drugs or supplements that cause hyperkalemia or take salt substitutes that contain potassium.

What you can do

If you have any risk factors for hyperkalemia, let your doctor know before you start taking Zestril. They’ll likely order tests to check your potassium level. This can help determine if it’s safe for you to start Zestril.

If you develop any symptoms of hyperkalemia while taking Zestril, let your doctor know right away. High potassium levels can cause heart problems such as a heart attack. They’ll likely order a blood test to check your potassium level. If your symptoms seem life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number for medical help right away.

Angioedema

Zestril can cause angioedema, which is sudden, severe swelling underneath the skin of certain areas of your body. This can occur at any time during Zestril treatment and may affect your face, throat, limbs, abdomen, or genitals. In some cases, especially ones that involve the tongue or larynx, angioedema can cause difficulty breathing and become life threatening.

Your risk of angioedema may be higher if you:

  • take certain medications with Zestril
  • have a history of airway surgery
  • have a history of angioedema
  • are Black

What you can do

Tell your doctor if you have a history of angioedema that occurred for any reason. Having a history of this condition can increase your risk of angioedema with Zestril. In this case, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Zestril.

If you develop any symptoms of angioedema, get medical help right away. In some cases, this side effect can be life threatening. Your doctor will likely have you stop Zestril and provide treatment for your symptoms. They’ll monitor you closely until your symptoms have eased.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Zestril.

Zestril has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Other precautions

Before taking Zestril, discuss your health history with your doctor. Zestril may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.