Lisinopril is an anti-hypertension medication, and it will protect your kidneys if you have diabetes. Although lisinopril is not the first drug of choice for hypertension in African Americans, many are prescribed the medicine as mono-treatment.
I want to warn you that in African Americans, Lisinopril could be dangerous. Lisinopril could cause angioedema that swelling of your lips or throat. If you are on lisinopril and your lips swell, or you have difficulty breathing, get emergency treatment. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately because angioedema COULD BE FATAL. Angioedema could be reversed within a few minutes with the appropriate medication to reverse this allergic reaction.
There is an alternative medication that is equally effective in protecting your kidneys or reduces blood pressure, and that medication is Losartan. It may be equally as dangerous for people who have been on lisinopril for years. In 2013, Norman and colleagues did a case study that documented a life-threatening angioedema reaction. An African American woman on lisinopril for years had a severe allergic reaction to the medication. If you are already on Lisinopril and have not had any problems with it, ask your doctor if Lorsartan would be an alternative for you. Be aware.
References
Norman, J. L., Holmes, W. L., Bell, W. A., & Finks, S.W. (2012). Life-Threatening ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema after eleven years on Lisinopril. Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 26(4), 382-388.
