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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Action Of Prinivil? High Blood Pressure. Low Sodium Level. Weakness In The Knee, Pressure Headache. Have Diabetes

How does Prinivil work in the body? This drug was recommended for a recent increase in systolic Bp (range 145/75 to 185/85--average 155/80). My sodium is 133 and potassium 3.9. but I am concerned because my sodium is below the average range and the dr. said to reduce my salt intake to at least 2300mg or less. The last 6 weeks I have had increased fatigue , heart palpitations, chest pains (heart was checked out and all normal), shakes and weak in knees sometimes, difficulty holding concentration, pressure headache much of the time, general feeling of being ill. I am also a type 2 diabetic but my numbers are good on oral medications.
Thu, 7 Mar 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Prinivil - Generic name is Lisinipril. It is an Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It reduces the synthesis of aldosterone by blocking the conversion of angiotensin-1 to angiotensin-2. This lowers BP. Both systolic & diastolic BP is reduced. It is the drug of choice in diabetic hypertensives. It also enhances sodium excretion. Though hyponatremia (low sodium level) is a potential side effect of Prinivil it does not occur very freequently. The upper limit of salt intake in hypertensives as per the Dietary Guidelines of Americans is 1500mg/day.
Sodium level of 133mEq/lit does not signify hyponatremia (normal-136-145mEq/lit) though fatig ue,headahe are the symptoms of hyponatremia. Palpitations, headache & fatigue can occur due to hypotension( rapid fall in BP) which is quite common in the initial phases of therapy.
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What Is The Action Of Prinivil? High Blood Pressure. Low Sodium Level. Weakness In The Knee, Pressure Headache. Have Diabetes

Prinivil - Generic name is Lisinipril. It is an Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It reduces the synthesis of aldosterone by blocking the conversion of angiotensin-1 to angiotensin-2. This lowers BP. Both systolic & diastolic BP is reduced. It is the drug of choice in diabetic hypertensives. It also enhances sodium excretion. Though hyponatremia (low sodium level) is a potential side effect of Prinivil it does not occur very freequently. The upper limit of salt intake in hypertensives as per the Dietary Guidelines of Americans is 1500mg/day. Sodium level of 133mEq/lit does not signify hyponatremia (normal-136-145mEq/lit) though fatig ue,headahe are the symptoms of hyponatremia. Palpitations, headache & fatigue can occur due to hypotension( rapid fall in BP) which is quite common in the initial phases of therapy.