Lisinopril and Alcohol

by on April 15, 2012

Lisinopril is one of the angiotensin converting enzymes thus it is in the class of ACE inhibitors. It is useful for the treatment of high blood pressure and of congestive heart problems . If you have been prescribed this drug your physician has told you to stay away from alcohol and you are on this page because you want to know why.

Lisinopril is a medication which is used to lower hypertension whereas alcohol elevates ones blood pressure level. Alcohol is a clear liquid made from corn, barely, grain; rye or a beverage containing ethyl and within twenty minutes of accumulating blood alcohol concentration can rise rapidly. If a patient has high blood pressure, alcohol should be avoided or drunk in moderation as it can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Alcoholic beverages should be avoided until a medical professional has given advice.

Effects of Lisinopril & Alcohol

Lisinopril and alcohol together result in a number of common adverse effects such as:

  • headaches
  • nervousness
  • fainting
  • impotence
  • visual disturbances

Drinking alcohol while on this medication may also cause nutrition problems caused from a diminished intake of foods, excess hyperemesis due to over indulging in alcohol and can lead to poor judgment which can be fatal if one is behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Ingesting large amounts of alcohol while on the drug can also increase your risk of cirrhosis and other types of liver damage as well.

It is almost always never a good idea to drink alcohol when taking medication and when taking Lisinopril alcohol consumption should be at a standstill. Apart from nasty side effects such as headache you can damage your overall health by not eating properly or because you are not digesting your food. The alcohol will also put more strain on your liver while it is processing the medication and as such may cause further damage to your body systems. The best bet is to stop indulging in alcoholic beverages once you start taking lisinopril.