Zestril is a highly effective medication commonly prescribed for the treatment of mild to medium cases of hypertension (high blood pressure). Produced by AstraZeneca, this branded medicine is available in a tablet form, in various strengths. The active ingredient of Zestril is a substance called lisinopril, belonging to ACE inhibitors class of pharmaceutical compounds which is commonly used in other hypertension treatments. As an easy-to-use tablet that will significantly reduce the risk of illnesses related to high blood pressure, Zestril is very popular in the UK where it can be obtained only with a valid prescription.

What’s on this page?

High blood pressure (hypertension): A short introduction

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a medical condition estimate to affect roughly a quarter of all inhabitants of the United Kingdom. As such, it is a rather common condition that is, on the other hand, not that easy to notice as it can remain asymptomatic or produce non-specific and seemingly unrelated array of symptoms such as headaches, nosebleeds or tiredness. However, when left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to a number of far more serious complications and conditions such as atherosclerosis, angina, heart attack and stroke.

What causes high blood pressure?

Medical experts generally agree that hypertension is not caused by any one specific factor, but that it is tied to a number of contributing elements which all play a part in the onset of this condition. Most strikingly, high blood pressure is directly connected to age, with people aged 65 and over being the most affected age group. In addition to this, harmful lifestyle choices and habits have also been shown to play a prominent role. More specifically, things such as poor dietary choices (especially salt-rich diet), smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and lack of physical activity can all contribute to the development of this condition.

How is hypertension diagnosed?

The first step in diagnosing high blood pressure is, of course, taking a measurement of the blood pressure. The devices used for his measurement will provide the user with two numbers called systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The former describes the force needed for the heart to pump blood out during a beat, while the latter describes blood pressure during resting phase (between heartbeats).

These numbers provided by the gauge are given in millimetres of mercury (mmHg), in line with the standard format of the measurement bar. Usually, the output is read in the form of systolic over diastolic pressure. High blood pressure is diagnosed if two separate consecutive reasons equal or exceed 140 over 90mmHg.

How to manage and treat high blood pressure?

Once hypertension is diagnosed, the first thing most doctors will do is to recommend you to make certain lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol, caffeine and salt intake, and introducing some light exercise in the daily routine. For mild cases, just these changes might be enough to bring the high blood pressure back to the normal levels. However, in cases where these measures just aren’t enough to produce the desired results, prescription medication might be necessary.

Zestril in hypertension treatment

The high effectiveness of Zestril is rooted in its active ingredient, lisinopril. This compound, classified as an ACE inhibitor, works by inhibiting the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE for short). This substance acts like a catalyst for the conversion of angiotensin to angiotensin II. The latter stage hormone plays a prominent role in the contraction of smooth muscle tissue lining the blood vessels. As a consequence, the arteries will become narrowed and tense, causing the blood pressure to rise.

By stopping this conversion, lisinopril will reduce the prevalence of angiotensin II in the organism, thus helping ease the pressure in the blood vessels.

Can I buy Zestril online in the UK?

Yes, it is possible to obtain this medicine online. However, you will still have to provide a valid prescription issued by a certified medical professional. If this is your first time buying Zestril, you can still avoid all the fuss of making an appointment and waiting in line at the doctor’s office. Instead, you can simply consult with a medical professional employed by the online clinic. In most cases, you will be required either to talk to a doctor through a live chat app or to fill a customized questionnaire.

In either case, the doctor will use the information obtained to determine if you are suitable for Zestril treatment. If everything is in order, a prescription will be issued and used that same moment to send the medicine to the address you provided.

How is Zestril used?

When using any prescription medicine, you should precisely follow the instructions provided by your doctor and guidelines that you can find in the official patient information leaflet that is issued within every box of the medicine. The same is true for Zestril – if you wish to optimise the results of the treatment while at the same time minimising the risk of side effects, you should be careful to adhere to the directions provided.

Here we will provide you with some of the most general guidelines so you can get the idea of how Zestril treatment looks like.

  • Take the tablets as prescribed
  • The starting dose is usually one 10mg tablet per day
  • After certain time has passed and the doctor reviewed your condition, the dose might be increased to one 20mg tablet per day if there’s the need
  • If you recently experienced a heart attack, the starting dose will be even smaller
  • Take the tablets whole with water, ideally at the same time every day
  • You will have to monitor your blood pressure levels over the course of the treatment
  • Never exceed the prescribed amount
  • If you forget a dose, do not try to compensate by doubling the next one – just continue with the treatment as usual

What are Zestril side effects?

Some side effects documented in a fraction of people using Zestril might necessitate immediate medical attention and stopping of the treatment. These include:

  • Allergic reaction to the medicine
  • Severe skin problems
  • Liver dysfunction
  • Kidney dysfunction

However, other side effects might manifest at certain points during the course of the treatment and disappear later on. Naturally, not everybody using Zestril will experience side effects, but it is still important to get familiar with them so you can ask for medical advice if needed.

Frequency of occurrence Side effects
Common (1 in 10 users) Headache, dizziness, kidney problems, diarrhoea, persistent dry cough, general malaise
Uncommon (1 in 100 users) Mood changes, circulation problems, changes in the sense of taste, drowsiness, vertigo, insomnia, palpitations, skin rash, impotence, sudden drop in blood pressure, impotence
Rare (1 in 1000 users) Confusion, hives, dryness of the mouth, psoriasis, altered sense of smell, breast enlargement in men

 

Keep in mind that this is not a full list of side effects – for a more comprehensive overview, please refer to the official patient information leaflet.

Is Zestril safe for me?

This question will be best answered by your doctor after he got a detailed insight into your medical history and profile. As with all other prescription medicines, there are some situations when the use of Zestril might be contraindicated and the doctor will advise against it.

This can be the case, for example, if you are currently using some other medicine that is known to adversely interact with Zestril. This is true for the following:

  • Other blood pressure medicines
  • Aliskiren
  • Water tablets
  • Blood clots medicines
  • Beta-blockers
  • Desensitising agents for insect stings
  • Nitrates
  • NSAIDs
  • Aspirin
  • Antidepressants
  • Lithium
  • Gold
  • Diabetes medicines
  • Asthma medicines

Alternatively, the doctor might advise against the use of Zestril if you have a history of the following medical conditions:

  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease
  • Narrowing of the aorta, heart valves, kidney artery
  • Enlarged heart
  • Collagen vascular disease
  • Low blood pressure
  • Diarrhoea
  • Cholesterol

Finally, this medicine should never be used during pregnancy or by women trying to conceive or who are currently breastfeeding.