Can dogs take lisinopril?

In this article:

• What is lisinopril used for in dogs?
• Is lisinopril safe for dogs?
• Dosage
• Alternatives
• Summary

In this article

• What is lisinopril used for in dogs?
• Is lisinopril safe for dogs?
• Dosage
• Alternatives
• Summary

Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that lowers blood pressure. Although veterinary professionals commonly use ACE inhibitors, their first and often exclusive choices are enalapril and benazepril. Lisinopril is safe for dogs and is primarily used to treat heart failure or hypertension, but it’s not commonly used.

RELATED: Save up to 80% on lisinopril

What is lisinopril used for in dogs?

Veterinarians use lisinopril to lower blood pressure in dogs with heart failure or hypertension. Lisinopril belongs to a family of drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). These drugs block angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure. ACE inhibitors like lisinopril widen blood vessels by blocking this hormone, decreasing blood pressure. 

Congestive heart failure

Veterinarians primarily use lisinopril in dogs with congestive heart failure.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart doesn’t pump sufficient amounts of blood to the body. This can be due to several causes, but the most common in dogs is due to disease of the heart valves. Healthy heart valves should work as one-way valves to direct blood through the heart. When aging or diseased heart valves allow blood to leak, blood pools within the heart and is not pumped efficiently around the body. This blood pooling within the heart can cause the heart muscle to stretch and weaken, worsening the efficacy of the heart’s action as a pump. 

The goal of therapy is to help the dog’s heart pump more blood while slowing down the progress of the disease. Veterinarians use three major types of pet medications:

• ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure, so it’s easier for the heart to pump blood.
• Diuretics, such as furosemide, to reduce blood volume and help clear up fluid retention problems.
• The drug pimobendan to increase the strength of heart contractions so that more blood is pushed out with each heartbeat.

In some dogs, a veterinarian may add a fourth drug, digoxin, that affects heart rhythm and blood pressure.

Enalapril and benazepril are the first-choice ACE inhibitors for canine heart failure. These drugs are well-studied and have been definitively shown to extend a dog’s life. Lisinopril is less proven, but the veterinary literature does contain standardized dosages for canine heart failure. 

High blood pressure

Like people, dogs can have high blood pressure. Unlike people, high blood pressure in dogs usually has identifiable causes. Called secondary hypertension, treatment involves not just bringing down blood pressure but also addressing the underlying cause.

Although high blood pressure has no symptoms, it can damage the dog’s organs over time, particularly the kidneys, nerves, eyes, blood vessels, and heart. The goal of treatment is to reduce blood pressure to levels that will not damage the dog’s organs. 

As in people, dogs with high blood pressure are usually started on ACE inhibitors, but the drugs of choice are benazepril or enalapril. ACE inhibitors are very safe but not as strong as other blood pressure drugs. They’re best suited when blood pressure is not very high. Even though they’re typically a first-line drug for hypertensive dogs, the veterinarian may modify treatment if target blood pressure levels aren’t hit with enalapril or benazepril.

Veterinarians may use lisinopril to treat canine hypertension, but there are no published dosages. 

Is lisinopril safe for dogs?

Lisinopril is safe for dogs but hasn’t been extensively studied.

The only dogs that can’t be given lisinopril are those that have had an allergic reaction to lisinopril.

Veterinarians are cautious about using enalapril in dogs who have:

• Low sodium or sodium depletion
• Blood flow obstruction to the heart or brain
• Collagen vascular disorders
• Blood disorders
• Severe heart failure

The use of lisinopril may not be advisable in pregnant or nursing dogs. 

The drug can cause fetal defects in unborn animals. In people, doctors immediately stop giving women lisinopril if they get pregnant. 

Veterinarians do not know if lisinopril affects nursing puppies. 

Side effects of lisinopril in dogs

The most common side effects of lisinopril in dogs are:

• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea 

These should be harmless, but if they worsen, contact the veterinarian.

More serious but rare side effects include:

• Weakness
• Low blood pressure
• High potassium (hyperkalemia)
• Kidney dysfunction
• Allergic reactions

Contact a veterinarian if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction, such as:

• Rash
• Fever
• Tiredness

Interactions of lisinopril with other pet meds

Drugs that may interact with lisinopril include:

• Other blood pressure drugs: Low blood pressure is a risk when giving multiple antihypertensives to a dog. However, a veterinarian may prescribe multiple blood pressure drugs if blood pressure is too high. In those cases, pet parents should familiarize themselves with the symptoms of low blood pressure in case it happens to their pet.
• Diuretics: Again, there’s a risk blood pressure will fall too low. However, it’s common for veterinarians to prescribe diuretics with ACE inhibitors, particularly for heart failure.
• Diabetes medications: Combining lisinopril with drugs such as insulin that lower blood sugar risks a severe drop in blood sugar. 
• Potassium supplements and potassium-sparing drugs: High potassium is a risk when a dog gets lisinopril and any supplement or drug that increases potassium levels.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Dogs can’t be given human NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen. Veterinarians generally use veterinary NSAIDs such as carprofen for problems such as osteoarthritis. NSAIDs interfere with lisinopril’s ability to lower blood pressure.

Ask the veterinarian about any vitamins, supplements, or herbal remedies you may give the dog. CBD supplements should be okay but talk to the veterinarian first.

Lisinopril dosage for dogs

The standard lisinopril dosage for dogs is 0.5 mg per kilogram of body weight, given orally every 12 or 24 hours.

Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Manual lists the following dosage for dogs with heart failure:

• 0.5 mg/kg given by mouth once or twice a day

There are no standardized lisinopril dosages for dogs with hypertension in the veterinary medicine literature. Veterinarians are likely to use the dosage above.

Lisinopril is not FDA-approved for use in dogs or other animals, so all veterinary use of the medication is off-label. Lisinopril tablets formulated for people come in dosage strengths of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, and 40 mg. Veterinary pharmacies typically sell generic or relabeled versions of lisinopril tablets made for people.

For easier dosing, an oral solution of lisinopril can be purchased as brand-name Qbrelis. Some compounding pharmacies can specially prepare an oil-suspension liquid version of lisinopril.

Can dogs overdose on lisinopril?

The veterinary literature does not specify a maximum dose of lisinopril for dogs. Always consider the prescribed dose to be the maximum dose. Do not give the dog more medicine than prescribed until consulting with the veterinarian. 

In a dog or cat, doses higher than 20 mg per kilogram of body weight are considered an overdose. The most common symptoms of an overdose are low energy, low blood pressure, vomiting, and rapid heart rate. 

The most concerning issue is low blood pressure (hypotension). It can drop dangerously low, particularly if the dog is being given other blood pressure drugs. Symptoms of very low blood pressure include confusion, weakness, fainting, pale gums, and changes in heart rate.

If a dog has been given too much lisinopril or has accidentally ingested the medicine, immediately call an ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or a veterinary hospital. If the dog has seriously overdosed, a veterinarian may need to put them on fluids and monitor them for several days. 

Can I give my dog lisinopril every day?

Lisinopril is a long-term and possibly lifelong treatment for dogs. Its long-term and daily use is safe, and any side effects experienced by the dog tend to be mild. 

How to give your dog lisinopril

Most people can expect to give their pet two doses of lisinopril daily. The most important thing to know is to never miss a dose. Lisinopril is a life-extending drug that works best when dosed faithfully. 

• Do not give lisinopril to a dog unless it’s prescribed by a veterinarian.
• Follow all the veterinarian’s instructions.
• Do not give larger doses than prescribed or give them more often than prescribed.
• Lisinopril doses can be given with or without food.
• If you don’t know how to give a dog tablets, ask a veterinary professional to demonstrate the most effective procedure.
• Lisinopril oil-based suspension may need to be shaken before measuring a dose. Read the instructions.
• Always use the calibrated oral syringe or dropper that comes with the liquid to measure doses.
• Try to give doses at the same time every day. 
• Do not miss doses. 
• If a dose is missed, give it as soon as possible unless it’s almost time for the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and give the next dose as scheduled. Do not give a dog two doses to make up for a missed dose.
• Do not stop giving the dog lisinopril until talking to the veterinarian. The dog will not experience withdrawal symptoms, but stopping the drug will bring back high blood pressure and any heart problems.
• Store lisinopril tablets at room temperature protected from moisture, excessive heat, and freezing. For Qbrelis or lisinopril oil-based suspension, follow the storage instructions included with the medicine or printed on the label. 

Lisinopril alternatives for dogs

Lisinopril is not a first-choice drug for dogs. If it doesn’t work, chances are the veterinarian has tried other ACE inhibitors, such as enalapril and benazepril. Other treatment options include:

• Other ACE inhibitors, such as ramipril or captopril
• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) such as telmisartan, losartan or irbesartan 
• Other high blood pressure medications such as calcium channel blockers like amlodipine, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta blockers such as atenolol, and alpha-1 blockers

• Diuretics such as spironolactone or thiazide diuretics

Summary

Lisinopril is a safe, long-term treatment for heart failure or high blood pressure in drugs. It’s not a veterinarian’s first choice, but it is effective and has minimal adverse effects. The veterinarian will need to regularly check the dog to make sure the drug is not causing problems. Most importantly, do not miss or forget doses.