Zestoretic is an oral tablet made up of two drugs, a thiazide diuretic called hydrochlorothiazide and an ACE inhibitor called lisinopril. We carry Zestoretic in both the brand name and generic alternative in 10mg/12.5mg, 20mg/12.5mg, and 20mg/25mg. 

Zestoretic is a hypertension medication, meaning it helps lower high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the walls of your blood vessels and when that force is high, it causes your heart to have to work harder which can cause damage. A big factor of high blood pressure is narrow blood vessels; when blood vessels are narrow, less blood can flow through, which makes blood flow less smoothly. Another factor is fluid rentention; if there is excess fluid in the body, it causes the blood pressure to raise. If hypertension goes untreated for too long, a person risks health complications such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney problems.

Zestoretic (lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide) is effective at treating high blood pressure because the ACE inhibitor is able to relax blood vessels to allow easier blood flow. The thiazide diuretic works by causing frequent urination which helps get rid of extra salt and water (fluid retention).

Take Zestoretic (lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide) exactly the way your doctor has directed you too. It is important to follow directions given by your doctor to not only avoid adverse interactions and side effects but also to allow for the most effective and safe dose to treat high blood pressure. If you forget how your doctor would like you to take Zestoretic (lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide), you may be able to find instructions on the prescription bottle.

Take this medication by mouth, with or without food, usually once in the morning. If this medication causes you to urinate more often, take the medication 4 hours before your bedtime to prevent having to get up to urinate throughout the night.

Do not use Zestoretic (lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide)

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or lisinopril, or if you have hereditary angioedema, are unable to urinate, recently took a heart medicine called sacubitril, have an allergy to sulfa drugs, or if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any ACE inhibitor medication.

Do not use this medication together with medicine that contained aliskiren if you are a diabetes patient. This may also apply to those with kidney disease.

Do not use this medication if you are pregnant.

This medication is not approved for use in those under the age of 18 years old.

Dose adjustment or special precautions may be required

To ensure this medication is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, cirrhosis or other liver disease, glaucoma, heart disease or congestive heart failure, asthma or allergies, gout, lupus, an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin, or if you are on a low salt diet.

Risks

If you become pregnant during treatment; discontinue use immediately. Lisinopril can cause injury or death to an unborn baby if taken in the second or third trimester.

You should not breastfeed while using this medication. Speak to your doctor if this concerns you or if you have any further questions.

Common side effects of Zestoretic (lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide) may include:

cough; headache; dizziness; or tired feeling.

The above side effects should not alarm you.

Serious side effects of Zestoretic (lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide) may include:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; eye pain, vision problems; little or no urination; weakness, drowsiness, or feeling restless; fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, trouble swallowing; or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes.

If you have any of the above side effects, contact your doctor right away.

Please note this is not a complete list of side effects. Not everyone experiences side effects; they are not guaranteed. If you do have side effects and they become unmanageable, consult your doctor about alternate medications.

Contact your doctor if you notice signs of…

high potassium - nausea, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement;

low potassium - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling; or

low sodium - headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.

What is Lisinopril HCTZ?

Lisinopril hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is the generic name for Zestoretic; what is Zestoretic? Zestoretic is a medication made up of (10 or 20mg) lisinopril and (12.5 or 25mg) hydrochlorothiazide. It is available as an oral tablet and can be purchased in three different strength combinations with a valid prescription at My Drug Center. Available strengths include:

-10mg/12.5mg

-20mg/12.5mg

-20mg/25mg

What is Lisinopril HCTZ used for?

Lisinopril HCTZ is used for treatment of hypertension; a condition where blood pressure levels are much higher than normal which poses certain health complications if left untreated.

What are the side effects of Lisinopril HCTZ?

The most commonly reported side effects of Zestoretic include cough, headache, dizziness, or feeling tired. These side effects may or may not occur, as well as other side effects not mentioned. Speak with your health care professional to learn more about the side effects of lisinopril HCTZ (Zestoretic).

How quickly does Lisinopril lower blood pressure?

Lisinopril HCTZ does not waste time; it begins lowering your blood pressure as soon as a few hours into treatment. Unfortunetly, it is unlikely you will feel the effects of lisinopril HCTZ until you have completed a few weeks of proper treatment. 

When is the best time to take Lisinopril HCTZ?

The brand-manufacturer does not state a specific time to take the dose and therefore as long as no specific directions have been set in place by your doctor, you may take your dose whenever is most convenient for you. Some doctors may suggest taking it at least 4 hours before you go to sleep; diuretics can cause an increase in urination, which may cause you to wake up throughout the night if you take it too close to bedtime.

What foods should be avoided when taking Lisinopril HCTZ?

Dietary intake of potassium in moderate to high amounts can cause complications; you should avoid potassium rich foods as well as salt substitutes (which often contain potassium). Some examples of foods to avoid include bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, honeydew, apricots, cooked broccoli, potatoes, and more. Some salt substitutes that should be avoided – or at the very least, taken with caution under a doctor’s approval – while using Zestoretic include Morton Salt Substitute, Nu-Salt, and NoSalt.

What type of medication is lisinopril HCTZ?

Zestoretic (lisinopril HCTZ) is an antihypertensive combination containing an ACE inhibitor and a thiazide diuretic; therefore, the medication belongs to the class called “ACE inhibitors with thiazides."

How to pronounce Lisinopril HCTZ?

When being prescribed a new medication, knowing how to pronounce it may be an important thing to know. Proper pronunciation of lisinopril HCTZ is as follows: LYSE - IN - OH – PRIL / HYE - DROE - KLOR - OH - THYE - A - ZIDE.