Zestril is commonly used to control high blood pressure, treat heart failure, and improve survival following a heart attack. It blocks an enzyme in the body that normally causes blood vessels to narrow. As a result, Zestril causes blood vessels to relax, which lowers blood pressure. The drug comes in tablet form and is typically taken once a day. Side effects are possible; however, most people tolerate the drug without problems.
What Is Zestril?
Zestril® (lisonopril) is a prescription medicine that has been licensed to treat several conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. It is part of a class of drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors for short.
Zestril has also been approved as a treatment for high blood pressure in children 6 years of age and older. However, Zestril is not a cure for high blood pressure or congestive heart failure.
Zestril is part of a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin-converting enzyme. Zestril helps to block the actions of this enzyme, which is normally part of a reaction in the body that causes the blood vessels to narrow (constrict). By blocking this enzyme, Zestril causes blood vessels to relax, which can lower blood pressure.
By helping blood vessels relax, Zestril also increases the efficiency of the heart. This means that the heart does not have to work as hard and more blood can be pumped out to the rest of the body. Both of these are helpful for a person with congestive heart failure.
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