Lisinopril dosage, forms, and strengths

Medically reviewed by Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Family Physician
Updated Aug 8, 2025  •  Published Aug 3, 2021
Fact Checked
In this article:

Key takeaways

  • The standard lisinopril dosage for high blood pressure in adults is 10–40 mg taken once per day.

  • The max dose of lisinopril is 80 mg daily.

  • Lisinopril is available as tablets or an oral solution.

  • The best time to take lisinopril is once daily with or without regard to food.

  • Do not take lisinopril if you have had an allergic reaction to lisinopril or other ACE inhibitors. Do not take lisinopril if you have hereditary or unexplained angioedema (swelling of the face, mouth, and throat). Do not take lisinopril if you’re taking the blood pressure medications sacubitril or aliskiren.

Lisinopril is a generic prescription drug that lowers blood pressure. Healthcare professionals use it to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and heart attacks. It is also used to slow and prevent kidney disease, especially in people with elevated blood pressure and diabetes. Doses are taken by mouth once daily.

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Lisinopril dosage chart
Indication Starting dosage Standard dosage Maximum dosage
High blood pressure 10 mg taken once per day 10–40 mg taken once per day 80 mg per day (but typically 40 mg per day)
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction 2.5–5 mg 5–40 mg taken once per day 40 mg per day
Heart attack (acute myocardial infarction) 5 mg taken within 24 hours of a heart attack THEN 5 mg the next day 10 mg taken once per day for at least 6 weeks Not specified

Lisinopril dosage chart for children
Age Standard dosage Maximum dosage
6+ years old 0.07–0.61 mg/kg/day 40 mg/day

Lisinopril dosage for hypertension

Lisinopril is a common treatment for high blood pressure. As an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, lisinopril lowers blood pressure by blocking the production of a hormone (angiotensin) that tightens blood vessels. The starting dose is low and then gradually increased until blood pressure is under control. If the dose is not effective, the prescriber may add a diuretic like hydrochlorothiazide to the treatment. Lisinopril is also sometimes prescribed in combination form with hydrochlorothiazide. 

Lisinopril dosage for heart failure

Lisinopril is FDA-approved to treat heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. People start with a low dose (2.5–5 mg daily) that may be increased gradually to a higher dose. Treatment will most often include a diuretic and other heart medications.

Lisinopril dosage for a heart attack

Doctors can use lisinopril after a heart attack to reduce the risk of death. By lowering blood pressure, lisinopril reduces the workload on the heart. Treatment begins within 24 hours of the heart attack. The first doses are low (2.5 mg in people with low blood pressure and 5 mg in people with stable blood pressure), but after two days, doses increase to 10 mg daily.

Personalized dosing considerations

People with kidney disease may require lower doses because the drug is eliminated through the kidneys. 

  • Renally impaired patients—dose adjustment: 

    • Serum creatinine clearance > 30 mL/min: No dosage adjustment

    • Creatinine clearance 10–30 mL/min: 2.5–5 mg/day to a maximum of 40 mg daily

    • Creatinine clearance < 10 mL/minute: start 2.5 mg/day to a maximum of 40 mg daily

    • Hemodialysis: start 2.5 mg/day to a maximum of 40 mg daily; no supplement

    • Parenteral dialysis: not specified

Lisinopril safety info

As an ACE inhibitor, lisinopril is a relatively safe blood pressure treatment. Common side effects may include low blood pressure, headache, and dizziness. ACE inhibitors may also cause a chronic cough in some people. 

However, ACE inhibitors can also cause serious problems such as high potassium levels (hyperkalemia), kidney problems, symptomatic low blood pressure, and rare but serious skin reactions. Lisinopril may also rarely cause serious low blood counts. Regular monitoring and blood tests are required. Report any infections or new symptoms to the prescriber.

Lisinopril can cause serious hypersensitivity reactions, particularly angioedema (swelling of the head, neck, lips, and tongue). People who have had a reaction to lisinopril or other ACE inhibitors cannot safely take lisinopril. People who have hereditary or unexplained angioedema are also prohibited from taking this medicine.

Lisinopril should not be taken during pregnancy. The drug can cause birth defects, bone problems, lung problems, or death of the fetus or newborn, particularly if taken during the second and third trimesters. Immediately inform the prescriber if you become pregnant or think you’re pregnant. 

Healthcare professionals do not recommend that women breastfeed when taking lisinopril. Ask the prescriber for medical advice about alternative medications.

Some drug interactions may also cause serious problems:

  • Lisinopril should never be taken with sacubitril.

  • People with diabetes should not take lisinopril with aliskiren.

  • Because of the risk of high potassium, avoid potassium supplements, potassium salt substitutes, and potassium medicines. 

  • Other medications that can increase potassium, like potassium-sparing diuretics such as spironolactone, should be used only with caution.

  • Other drugs that may cause problems include lithium, gold-containing medications, and immune suppressants called mTOR inhibitors (such as tacrolimus or everolimus).

This isn’t a complete list of interactions. Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and over-the-counter medications you take, including vitamins, herbs, and supplements. 

Make sure to drink plenty of water when taking lisinopril. Dehydration, sweating, and exercise can cause blood pressure to fall too low in some people taking lisinopril. 

How to take lisinopril

Lisinopril is taken once daily by mouth. For people unable to take a tablet, Lisinopril can be prescribed as an oral solution.

  • Lisinopril can be taken with or without food.

  • Store lisinopril tablets or oral suspension at room temperature (68°F–77°F) protected from moisture, extreme heat, and freezing temperatures.

Tablets

  • Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet.

Oral solution

  • Shake the oral solution well before using.

  • Use the metered dosing syringe or other dose-measuring device provided with the medicine to measure out the liquid.

  • Swallow the full dose.

Lisinopril dosage FAQs

How long does it take lisinopril to work?

A dose of lisinopril can start affecting blood pressure about an hour after being taken. The drug hits its peak concentration in six to eight hours. 

How long does lisinopril stay in your system?

Lisinopril has a long duration of action, allowing it to be taken only once per day. Its effective half-life of 12 hours means that lisinopril’s effects on blood pressure are significantly reduced 24 hours after taking a dose. It can take several days for lisinopril to fall to undetectable levels in the blood. 

What happens if I miss a dose of lisinopril?

Take a missed dose as soon as it’s remembered. However, if it is nearly time to take the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How long can you take lisinopril?

ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril are taken long-term to treat high blood pressure or heart failure. However, for people taking lisinopril after a heart attack, therapy lasts at least six weeks. After that time, a healthcare provider will decide if therapy needs to continue.

How do I stop taking lisinopril?

Lisinopril can be stopped without causing withdrawal symptoms or serious side effects. A variety of reasons may require the discontinuation of lisinopril. However, only stop taking lisinopril under the direction of your healthcare provider. 

Can you overdose on lisinopril?

The most likely consequence of taking too much lisinopril is symptomatic low blood pressure. Lightheadedness, dizziness, and feeling faint are the most common symptoms of hypotension. If too much lisinopril is taken or you experience symptoms of low blood pressure, get medical help.

What is the maximum dosage for lisinopril?

The maximum dose for people taking lisinopril for high blood pressure is 80 mg daily. However, 40 mg a day is the usual maximum dose, since there is generally no additional blood pressure benefit above this dose. The maximum dose for heart failure is 40 mg a day. The FDA has not defined a maximum daily dose for people receiving lisinopril after a heart attack, but doses are typically low (10 mg daily).

What happens when you mix lisinopril and alcohol?

Healthcare providers discourage drinking, especially heavy drinking, in people taking lisinopril. Alcohol can worsen some of the common side effects of lisinopril, particularly dizziness and low blood pressure. 

What is the dosage of lisinopril for pets?

Hypertensive dogs and cats are usually given an ACE inhibitor that is better studied in animals than lisinopril. However, veterinarians may use lisinopril for heart failure in dogs and cats. Dosages will depend on weight, typically 0.25–0.5 mg per kilogram of body weight.

Sources

Medically reviewed by Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Family Physician

Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH, is a board-certified family physician, writer, editor, teacher, and consultant. She is a graduate of University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and trained at West Suburban Family Medicine in Oak Park, Illinois. She later completed a fellowship in community medicine at PCC Community Wellness and a master's in Public Health at the University of Illinois-Chicago. She lives with her family near Chicago.

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