Similar to most prescription drugs, combining lisinopril and alcohol is not recommended, and even dangerous, as there are potential interactions. As it is commonly prescribed, lisinopril treats various heart conditions and hypertension and increases the success of individuals recovering from a heart attack. Through a process of the relaxation of blood vessel muscles, lisinopril lowers blood pressure. It can also be prescribed to treat kidney disease in people with diabetes as it has the ability to reduce protein loss through the kidneys.
Lisinopril can be an effective medication when used as indicated. However, many people are prescribed lisinopril for blood pressure problems related to drinking—and many of those same people may continue to drink while taking the drug. Taking lisinopril and alcohol together, however, can be a dangerous combination.
Alcohol Exacerbates the Side Effects of Lisinopril
Also known as Qbrelis, Zestril, or Prinivil, lisinopril is classified as an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (often known as an ACE inhibitor) and is a generic medicine. Although lisinopril has many redeeming properties, there are some negative side effects related to this medication that patients should be aware of, such as dizziness, chills, rash, weakness, runny nose, lowered sex drive, blurred vision, and confusion. It can also cause harm to an unborn baby and, thus, is not prescribed to women who are trying to become pregnant or who are currently pregnant, as it creates potential risk for complications.
In rare occurrences, severe side effects may include the following:
- Allergic Reaction (Swelling of the face, tongue, throat, lips, hands, feet, or legs)
- Severe Stomach Pain
- Hoarseness
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Fever or sore throat
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Ear congestion
Those with diabetes, kidney or liver disease should be extra careful and ensure they talk to a doctor about these conditions before using lisinopril. Consideration of medical history is always important. This prescription drug can affect blood sugar levels as well as increasing blood potassium levels to a dangerous degree.
Although lisinopril can be extremely effective, it’s safe only when taken according to medical advice, which should include a warning about the possible adverse effects of combining lisinopril and alcohol. Drinking while taking lisinopril can add to or even exacerbate the side effects listed above, which in itself can create a dangerous situation. The common side effects of alcohol drinking and lisinopril get stacked and amplified. However, even for individuals who experience none of these side effects, there is another reason not to mix the two.
The Combined Effect of Lisinopril and Alcohol On Blood Pressure
Those who frequently drink alcohol (and especially those who binge drink) often experience high blood pressure. When blood pressure is raised by a significant amount, lisinopril can no longer bring the levels down, causing the medication to become ineffective. In some cases, alcohol has the opposite effect by lowering a drinker’s blood pressure. If alcohol is in the system alongside lisinopril, blood pressure may drop drastically, leading to extreme dizziness or fainting.
While extreme dizziness and possible fainting may not seem serious to some, when combined with unfavorable circumstances and an already inebriated state, severe injury or even death may occur as a result. As such, you or your loved one should use extreme caution with alcohol intake while using lisinopril, even if you only intend on drinking a small amount. Drug interactions can cause serious harm.
What to Do If You Can’t Stop Drinking While on Lisinopril
For some individuals, taking lisinopril safely is simply a matter of limiting or abstaining from alcohol while on the medication. For others, however, this may not be simple at all. If you or your loved one find it difficult or even impossible to moderate or refrain from drinking while on lisinopril—even despite earnest attempts to do so—it may be time to seek professional help with addiction recovery. Addiction specialists can help you discover and address the root causes of your alcohol use, allowing you or your loved one to replace drinking with other healthier coping mechanisms and while continuing to safely take lisinopril.
It is especially important to seek addiction treatment if you or your loved one is experiencing any of the side effects previously mentioned—continuing to drink, or drinking heavily, even in the face of risks to your health and wellbeing is perhaps the most significant indicator of when alcohol has become a problem that requires professional help.