Lisinopril / HCTZ

Lisinopril in Zestoretic can cause severe and sometimes life-threatening harm to unborn babies, so it shouldn't be used during pregnancy. If you find out that you're pregnant while taking Zestoretic (lisinopril / hydrochlorothiazide), stop and let your prescriber know right away. If you're pregnant before starting Zestoretic (lisinopril / hydrochlorothiazide) or thinking of becoming pregnant during treatment, discuss with your healthcare professional (HCP) about safer options to treat your blood pressure.

People who take medications that contain an ACE inhibitor, like lisinopril in Zestoretic, can experience a rare, but serious side effect called angioedema. This involves swelling in different parts of the body, including the face, throat, and tongue. Swelling of the tongue or throat area can be potentially life-threatening, since it can make it difficult to breathe. Angioedema can happen at any time during treatment. This risk is higher in Black people than in non-Black people. Get medical attention immediately if you experience swelling in any of the areas mentioned above, stomach pain, or difficulty breathing. You'll have to stop taking Zestoretic (lisinopril / hydrochlorothiazide) if this happens.

Sometimes, taking Zestoretic (lisinopril / hydrochlorothiazide) can cause your blood pressure to drop too much. This can cause you to feel dizzy, tired, or lightheaded. This side effect is more common when you first start Zestoretic (lisinopril / hydrochlorothiazide) or when the dose is raised. Make sure to stay well-hydrated. If your blood pressure drops too much and you feel dizzy, make sure to sit down slowly while holding onto something and let your care team know. If you fall and hit your head, get medical help right away. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, faint, tired, or confused while taking Zestoretic (lisinopril / hydrochlorothiazide), contact your prescriber right away.

Sometimes, Zestoretic (lisinopril / hydrochlorothiazide) can affect your kidneys and cause them to not work as well. The risk is higher for people who have certain types of kidney problems, such as renal artery stenosis or very severe heart failure. Your prescriber might order lab tests every so often to make sure your kidneys are healthy and working properly. If you develop kidney problems, or if your kidney problems worsen while taking Zestoretic (lisinopril / hydrochlorothiazide), your prescriber might recommend that you stop taking this medication. Let your prescriber know if you're urinating less often than usual, as this could be a sign that your kidneys aren't working as well.

Zestoretic (lisinopril / hydrochlorothiazide) can affect the level of certain electrolytes in your body, including sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Your prescriber might order blood work regularly while you're taking this medication to make sure your electrolyte levels are in a safe range. Let your care team know if you experience a fast heart beat, weakness, low energy, muscle pain or cramps, less urination than usual, nausea, or vomiting. These can be signs of electrolyte changes in your body.

Though rare, some people experience vision changes within hours or weeks after starting Zestoretic (lisinopril / hydrochlorothiazide) because of the hydrochlorothiazide part of the medication. Tell your prescriber right away about any vision changes or eye pain and stop taking Zestoretic (lisinopril / hydrochlorothiazide) as soon as possible. In some cases, surgery might be required to avoid permanent vision loss.