Lisinopril
Also known as: Prinivil, Zestril
- **Do not abruptly stop** or reduce therapy without your veterinarian's guidance. - Can be given with or without food. Ensure your pet always has access to fresh water. - **Watch for weakness or fainting**, which could be signs that your pet's blood pressure is too low. - Contact your veterinarian immediately if vomiting or diarrhea persists, becomes severe, or if your pet's overall condition deteriorates. - Keep out of reach of children and other pets.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Adjunctive treatment of heart failure
- Adjunctive treatment of heart failure
- Adjunctive treatment of heart failure
- Adjunctive treatment of heart failure
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Anorexia
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy or weakness
- Hypotension
- Renal dysfunction (azotemia)
- Hyperkalemia
- Cough (rare in animals compared to humans)
Cautions & contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to ACE inhibitors
- Pregnancy (especially 2nd and 3rd trimesters)
- Use with caution and close supervision in patients with **renal insufficiency** (doses may need to be reduced). Use cautiously in patients with **hyponatremia** or sodium depletion, coronary or cerebrovascular insufficiency, preexisting hematologic abnormalities, or collagen vascular diseases (e.g., SLE). Patients with severe CHF should be monitored very closely for hypotension upon initiation of therapy. May cause a reversible decrease in localization and excretion of certain renal imaging agents.
Drug interactions
- Antidiabetic Agents (insulin, oral agents): Possible increased risk for hypoglycemia; enhanced monitoring recommended.
- Diuretics (e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide): Potential for increased hypotensive effects; reducing furosemide doses (by 25-50%) is often recommended when initiating ACE inhibitors in CHF.
- Potassium-Sparing Diuretics (e.g., spironolactone, triamterene): Increased risk of hyperkalemia; enhanced monitoring of serum potassium recommended.
- Other Hypotensive Agents: Potential for additive hypotensive effects.
- Lithium: Increased serum lithium levels possible; increased monitoring required.
- NSAIDs: May reduce the anti-hypertensive or positive hemodynamic effects of lisinopril; may increase the risk of acute renal failure.
- Potassium Supplements: Increased risk for hyperkalemia.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lisinopril used for in pets?
- **Do not abruptly stop** or reduce therapy without your veterinarian's guidance. - Can be given with or without food. Ensure your pet always has access to fresh water. - **Watch for weakness or fainting**, which could be signs that your pet's blood pressure is too low. - Contact your veterinarian immediately if vomiting or diarrhea persists, becomes severe, or if your pet's overall condition deteriorates. - Keep out of reach of children and other pets.
Is Lisinopril safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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