General Information
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Zestril. It does not contain all the available information
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Zestril against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Zestril is used for
Zestril lowers high blood pressure, which doctors call hypertension. It is also used to treat heart failure and patients who have just had a heart attack.
Hypertension:
Everyone has blood pressure. This pressure helps get your blood all around your body. Your blood pressure may be different at different times of the day, depending on how busy or worried you are. You have hypertension (high blood pressure) when your blood pressure stays higher than is needed, even when you are calm and relaxed. There are usually no symptoms of hypertension. The only way of knowing that you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. If high blood pressure is not treated it can lead to serious health problems. You may feel fine and have no symptoms, but eventually hypertension can cause stroke, heart disease and kidney failure. Zestril helps to lower your blood pressure. Heart Failure:
Heart failure means that the heart muscle cannot pump blood strongly enough to supply all the blood needed throughout the body. Heart failure is not the same as heart attack and does not mean that the heart stops working.
Heart failure may start off with no symptoms, but as the condition progresses, patients may feel short of breath or may get tired easily after light physical activity such as walking. Some patients may wake up short of breath at night. Fluid may collect in different parts of the body, often first noticed as swollen ankles and feet.
Zestril helps to treat heart failure and may improve your symptoms.
One of the ways Zestril helps heart failure is that it widens the blood vessels, so that the heart does not have to pump as hard to move the blood around the body. This also means that when you place extra demands on your heart, such as during exercise, the heart may cope better so you may not get short of breath as easily.
When used to treat heart failure, Zestril is almost always used with other medicines called diuretics or fluid tablets. These medicines help the kidney to get rid of excess fluid from the body.
Heart Attack:
A heart attack occurs when one of the major blood vessels supplying blood to the heart muscle becomes blocked. As a result of the blockage, the heart does not receive the oxygen it needs and the heart muscle is damaged.
This damage may lead to further complications such as heart failure, irregular heart rhythms and blood clots.
In some patients, Zestril may help to prevent some complications of heart attack, such as heart failure.
Zestril belongs to a group of medicines called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
Your doctor may prescribe Zestril for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Zestril has been prescribed for you.
Before you take Zestril
When you must not take it
Do not take Zestril if:
you have taken any medicines called 'ACE inhibitors' for high blood pressure or heart failure before, which caused your face, lips, tongue, throat, hands or feet to swell up, or made it hard for you to breathe.
If you have had an allergic reaction to an ACE inhibitor before, you may be allergic to Zestril.
you have an allergy to Zestril or Prinivil (which is another brand of lisinopril), or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction to Zestril may include skin rash, itchiness, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
you have a history of swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, hands or feet, for no apparent reason.
you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Your baby may absorb this medicine in the womb or from breast milk and therefore there is a possibility of harm to the baby.
the tablets show visible signs of deterioration.
Do not take Zestril after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal
you are undergoing haemodialysis.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking Zestril, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
Your doctor must know about all of the following before you start to take Zestril.
1. If you intend to become pregnant or intend to breast-feed Zestril should not be used during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
If you suffer from: kidney disease, or are undergoing dialysis
low blood pressure (you may notice this as faintness or dizziness, especially when standing)
liver disease
aortic stenosis, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
any other medical conditions
2. if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you have bought from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some of the medicines in common use that may interfere with Zestril include:
other medicines used to treat high blood pressure
diuretic tablets - also called fluid or water tablets
lithium, a medicine used to treat some types of depression
potassium tablets such as Slow-K#, Span-K#, KSR#, K-Mag# or Chlorvescent#
potassium-containing salt substitutes such as Pressor K*
any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (such as indomethacin)
other medicines used to treat diabetes
These medicines may be affected by Zestril, or may affect how well it works. You may need to take different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist has a more complete list of medicines to avoid while taking ZESTRIL.
3. if you are following a very low salt diet
4. if you have had an allergy to any other medicines or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
5. if you are going to receive desensitisation treatment for an allergy, e.g. to insect stings
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you take any Zestril.
How to take Zestril
How much to take
Your doctor will tell you how many tablets you need to take each day. This depends on your condition and whether you are taking other medicines.
Take Zestril only when prescribed by your doctor.
For high blood pressure:
For most patients, the usual starting dose is 5 to 10 mg taken once a day.
Some patients may need a lower starting dose. The dose may need to be increased depending on your blood pressure.
Most patients take between 10 to 20 mg each day, taken once a day.
For heart failure:
The usual starting dose is 2.5 mg taken once a day. Depending on your response, this dose may need to be increased. The usual dose is 5-20mg each day, taken once a day. For heart attack:
Zestril may be started within 24 hours of the onset of the symptoms of heart attack. The usual starting dose is 5 mg, which is followed 24 hours later by another 5 mg dose. This is then followed 48 hours later by a 10 mg dose, and then 10 mg taken once a day thereafter. Some patients may need a lower starting and maintenance dose. Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How to take it
Take your Zestril at about the same time each day. Taking your tablet(s) at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take the tablets.
Swallow Zestril with a glass of water or other liquid.
It does not matter if you take Zestril before or after food.
How long to take it
Zestril helps control your high blood pressure and helps improve your heart failure, but does not cure it. Zestril must be taken every day.
Take Zestril for as long as your doctor says to.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your tablet(s) as you would normally.
If you are not sure whether to skip the dose, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
If you have trouble remembering to take your tablets, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone number 13 11 26) or go to casualty at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Zestril. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If you take too many tablets you will probably feel light-headed or dizzy, or you may faint.
While you are using Zestril
Things you must do
Have your blood pressure checked when your doctor says to make sure Zestril is working.
Tell your doctor immediately if you feel any light-headedness or dizziness after you take your first dose of Zestril or if your dose is increased. This is especially important if you are taking Zestril for heart failure.
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint, get up slowly when getting out of bed or standing up. You may feel light-headed or dizzy, especially if you are also taking a diuretic (fluid tablet). This is because your blood pressure is falling suddenly.
Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or chairs, will help your body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this problem gets worse or continues, talk to your doctor.
If you become pregnant while taking Zestril tell your doctor immediately.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Zestril.
If you plan to have surgery (even at the dentist) that needs a general anaesthetic, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Zestril. Your blood pressure may drop suddenly during surgery.
Make sure you drink enough water during exercise and hot weather when you are taking Zestril, especially if you sweat a lot. If you do not drink enough water while taking Zestril, you may faint or feel light-headed or sick. This is because your blood pressure is dropping suddenly. If you continue to feel unwell, tell your doctor.
If you have excessive vomiting and/or diarrhoea while taking Zestril, tell your doctor. This can result in you losing too much water and may drop your blood pressure too much.
Go to your doctor regularly for a check-up. Your doctor may occasionally do a blood test to check your potassium level in the blood and see how your kidneys are working.
Things you must not do
Do not give Zestril to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Zestril affects you. Zestril may cause dizziness (lightheadedness) or tiredness in some patients, especially after the first dose or if the dose is increased. Make sure you know how you react to Zestril before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or light-headed. If you drink alcohol, dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.
Things that would be helpful for your blood pressure or heart failure
Some self help measures suggested below may help your condition.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about these measures and for more information.
Alcohol - your doctor may advise you to limit your alcohol intake.
Diet - eat a healthy diet, which includes plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit, bread, cereals and fish. Also eat less fat and sugar.
Exercise - regular exercise helps to reduce blood pressure and helps the heart get fitter, but it is important not to overdo it. Walking is good exercise, but try to find a route that is fairly flat. Before starting any exercise, ask your doctor about the best kind of programme for you.
Salt - your doctor may advise you to watch the amount of salt in your diet. To reduce your salt intake you should avoid using salt in cooking or at the table.
Smoking - your doctor may advise you to stop smoking or at least cut down.
Weight - your doctor may suggest losing some weight to help lower your blood pressure and help lessen the amount of work your heart has to do. Some people may need a dietitian's help to lose weight.
SIDE EFFECTS
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Zestril. Zestril helps most people with high blood pressure and heart failure, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
light-headedness or dizziness
headache
fatigue
dry cough
mild stomach upsets such as feeling sick, diarrhoea, or stomach pains
These are usually mild side effects of Zestril.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
chest pain, angina
changes in the way our heart beats, for example, if you notice it beating faster
difficulty breathing
wheeziness due to tightness in the chest
itchy skin rash or other skin problems
signs of frequent or worrying infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
tingling or numbness of the hands and feet
passing less urine than is normal for you
bruising more easily than normal
severe abdominal pain
collapse, numbness or weakness of arms or legs
These are all serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
If any of the following happen, stop taking Zestril and tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest hospital:
swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
pinkish, itchy swellings on the skin, also called hives or nettle rash
fainting
yellowing of the skin and/or eyes, also called jaundice
These are all very serious side effects. If you have them, you may have had a serious allergic reaction to ZESTRIL. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. All of these side effects are rare.
Also tell your doctor if you notice:
hair loss or thinning
impotence
psoriasis and other serious skin conditions
changes in the way things taste
feeling sleepy or difficulty in going to sleep, strange dreams
running nose or sinus pain
These are other side effects that have been reported with Zestril.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
AFTER USING ZESTRIL
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the blister pack they may not keep well.
Keep in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30 °C.
Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car or on windowsills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep your tablets in a safe place where children cannot see or reach them. A locked cupboard at least one and a half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking the tablets or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets that are left over.
Further information
This is not all the information that is available on Zestril. If you have any more questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
What it looks like
Zestril comes in three types of tablets:
Zestril 5mg, 10mg and 20mg tablets are all pink in colour. The packaging for the tablets clearly states the strength enclosed and the different strengths of tablet can be identified by the following surface markings on the faces of each tablet: 5mg (round biconvex tablet)
Face 1 - Heart image and the figure 5
Face 2 - Line through the middle
10mg (round biconvex tablet)
Face 1 - Heart image, the word Zestril and the figure 10
Face 2 - Plain
20mg (round biconvex tablet)
Face 1 - Heart image, the word Zestril and the figure 20
Face 2 - Line through the middle
If you have any questions or concerns please ask your doctor or pharmacist. A box of Zestril contains 30 tablets. Ingredients
Active ingredient:
Zestril 5 mg - 5 mg lisinopril per tablet
Zestril 10 mg - 10 mg lisinopril per tablet
Zestril 20 mg - 20 mg lisinopril per tablet
Inactive ingredients:
mannitol
calcium hydrogen phosphate
maize starch
pregelatinised maize starch
magnesium stearate (E572)
iron oxide red C177491 (E172)
Manufacturer
Zestril is sold in Australia by:
AstraZeneca Pty Ltd
ABN 54009 682 311
Alma Road
NORTH RYDE NSW 2113
The Australian Registration Numbers are:
Zestril tablets: 5 mg AUST R 70837
10 mg AUST R 70838
20 mg AUST R 70839
This leaflet was prepared in June 2005.