Lisinopril is a generic prescription drug that’s used to treat high blood pressure and certain other heart conditions. The drug comes as an oral tablet that you swallow. It’s usually taken once daily.
Lisinopril is used to:
- treat high blood pressure in adults and certain children
- improve survival from a heart attack in adults
- lower the risk of heart failure in adults (for this use, lisinopril is used in combination with certain other medications)
Lisinopril belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.
This article describes the dosages of lisinopril, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about lisinopril, see this in-depth article.
The lisinopril dosage chart below highlights the basics of lisinopril’s dosage. All doses are listed in milligrams (mg).
| Condition | Lisinopril starting dosage | Lisinopril maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|
| hypertension | 5 to 10 mg taken once daily | up to 80 mg taken once daily |
| heart failure | 2.5 to 5 mg taken once daily | up to 40 mg taken once daily |
| heart attack | 5 mg taken within the first 24 hours of a heart attack, then 5 mg as a second dose after 24 hours. Then 10 mg taken after 48 hours. After this, the dosage is 10 mg daily for up to 6 weeks. | typically 10 mg taken once daily |
Keep reading for more details about lisinopril’s dosage.
What is lisinopril’s form?
Lisinopril is available as an oral tablet.
What strengths does lisinopril come in?
Lisinopril comes in six strengths:
- 2.5 mg
- 5 mg
- 10 mg
- 20 mg
- 30 mg
- 40 mg
What are the usual dosages of lisinopril in adults?
Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown below.
Dosage for high blood pressure
Lisinopril is used to treat high blood pressure in adults. The typical starting lisinopril dosage is 5 to 10 mg taken once per day. The usual dosage range of lisinopril is between 20 to 40 mg per day based on your response to the medication.
For example, if a dose of lisinopril 20 mg taken once daily doesn’t manage your blood pressure, your doctor may increase your dose to 30 mg taken once daily.
A maximum dose of 80 mg per day has been used for high blood pressure, but according to the manufacturer, it doesn’t offer greater benefits.
In some cases, your doctor may suggest adding a diuretic (water pill), such as hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), if your blood pressure isn’t well managed with lisinopril alone. The typical starting dose of lisinopril, when taken with a diuretic, is 5 mg taken once daily.
If you have questions about your dosage of lisinopril for high blood pressure, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for heart failure
For adults with heart failure, lisinopril may be prescribed as an added therapy with other medications. The typical starting dosage of lisinopril for heart failure is 5 mg taken once daily along with a diuretic and another drug called digoxin.
In people with hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels), in addition to heart failure, the starting dosage of lisinopril is 2.5 mg taken once daily.
The maximum dosage of lisinopril for heart failure is 40 mg taken once daily.
Dosage for heart attack
Lisinopril is prescribed to lower your risk of death after you’ve had a heart attack. It is typically started in the hospital immediately after a heart attack. The first dose of lisinopril is 2.5 mg to 5 mg given within 24 hours of a heart attack. This is followed by another 5 mg dose after 24 hours, then a 10 mg dose after 48 hours. After this, the continuing daily dose is 10 mg taken once daily for at least 6 weeks.
If you have questions about your lisinopril dosage after a heart attack, talk with your doctor.
What’s the dosage of lisinopril for children?
Lisinopril is used to help treat high blood pressure in children ages 6 years and older.
The dosage used in children is based on their body weight in kilograms (kg) and is calculated by your child’s doctor. For reference, one kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb).
The usual starting dosage of lisinopril is 0.07 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight up to a total once-daily dose of 5 mg. For example, if your child weighs 30 kg (about 66 lb), their starting dosage would be 2.1 mg taken once daily.
Your child’s doctor may increase their dose to 0.61 mg/kg based on their response to treatment. In children, a lisinopril dosage of 40 mg taken once daily is the maximum dosage.
For more information about lisinopril’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.
How to take lisinopril
Lisinopril comes as an oral tablet. You’ll take your dose once daily. You can take it with or without food. Try to take your dose around the same time each day to keep steady levels of the medication in your body. This helps the medication work best.
If you have difficulty swallowing pills, it may be possible to cut or crush lisinopril tablets. You can also see this article for tips on how to swallow pills.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions on how to take lisinopril.
Is lisinopril used long term?
Yes, lisinopril is usually a long-term treatment for high blood pressure or heart failure. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
Lisinopril is typically taken for at least 6 weeks following a heart attack. Most patients continue to take it long term after that.
If you have questions about how long you’ll take lisinopril, ask your doctor for more information.
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Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about lisinopril’s dosage.
What’s a high dose of lisinopril?
The dosage of lisinopril you’re prescribed is personalized for you based on the condition the drug is being used to manage and other factors. Other factors may include your age, race, body weight, other medications you may be taking, other health conditions you may have, and how you respond to the medication.
Your doctor will likely start you on a low dose and adjust it as needed to manage your condition. They’ll prescribe the lowest dose that provides the desired effect.
The maximum dose of lisinopril for high blood pressure is 80 mg, taken once daily for adults, or 40 mg taken once daily for children. The maximum dosage of lisinopril for heart failure is 40 mg taken once daily. If you have kidney problems, your maximum recommended dosage of lisinopril is also 40 mg taken once daily.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage and if you feel it’s too high. They can provide more specific information about your dosage.
What’s the lisinopril dosage for seniors?
There is no specific dosage of lisinopril for seniors. Older adults (ages 65 years and older) may need dosage adjustments in some cases. For example, if you have kidney problems, the maximum recommended dosage of lisinopril is 40 mg taken once daily.
Your dosage is based on the condition the drug is being used to manage and other factors such as if you have other health conditions or are taking other medications. For more information on dosages of lisinopril, see the “What are the usual dosages of lisinopril?” section.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage of lisinopril.
Do not take more lisinopril than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- low blood pressure
- dizziness
- lightheaded
- nausea
- fainting
- blurry vision
What to do in case you take too much lisinopril
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much lisinopril. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.