What are the side effects of lisinopril?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Common: dizziness (especially standing up fast - worst in the first days or after dose increases), headache, diarrhea, and the classic dry, tickly cough that does not go away. The cough is the ACE-inhibitor signature: harmless but annoying, and switching to an ARB like losartan fixes it without losing the blood pressure benefit. Blood tests periodically check potassium and kidneys - monitored, not feared. The one to memorize: angioedema - sudden lip, tongue, face, or throat swelling - stop the drug and call emergency services; it can arrive after months of uneventful use. Fainting, yellowing skin, or irregular heartbeat also deserve prompt calls. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, and can help you weigh a symptom.
What to do
- Stand up slowly: first-days dizziness is the norm, and it fades.
- Name the cough: a persistent dry cough on an ACE inhibitor is a switch conversation, not a character flaw.
- Keep the blood tests: potassium and kidney checks are part of the deal.
- Facial or throat swelling is an emergency: stop and call - even months in.
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