Is Lisinopril safe for dogs and cats?
Moderate risk for petsLisinopril and enalapril (converted to enalaprilat) are widely used in veterinary medicine for management of hypertension associated with CKD and protein-losing nephropathy, and for heart failure in dogs; they are familiar drugs in veterinary practice. Veterinary dosing (dogs): 0.25–0.5 mg/kg once daily; maximum dose limited by hypotension. Renal protective effects: ACE inhibitors are used in dogs with CKD and proteinuria to reduce intraglomerular pressure and slow progression — same rationale as in human nephrology. Accidental ingestion: lisinopril tablets are among the most frequently ingested prescription medications in dogs (ASPCA APCC data); dogs commonly access pills from counters, purses, or pill organizers. Signs: dose-dependent hypotension is the primary concern — weakness, ataxia, pale mucous membranes; transient AKI possible with large ingestions; vomiting, diarrhea. Treatment: emesis if recent ingestion; blood pressure monitoring; IV fluids for hypotension; fluid diuresis for renal protection; generally favorable prognosis with prompt treatment. Feline use: lisinopril and enalapril are used in cats for systemic hypertension associated with CKD or hyperthyroidism; renal function monitoring essential in cats with advanced CKD.
What is lisinopril?
The IUPAC name is (2S)-1-[(2S)-6-amino-2-[[(1S)-1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]amino]hexanoyl]pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid;dihydrate.
Also known as: (2S)-1-[(2S)-6-amino-2-[[(1S)-1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]amino]hexanoyl]pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid;dihydrate, Lisinopril dihydrate, DTXCID0025600, LISINOPRIL DIHYDRATE [MI].
- IUPAC name
- (2S)-1-[(2S)-6-amino-2-[[(1S)-1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]amino]hexanoyl]pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid;dihydrate
- CAS number
- 83915-83-7
- Molecular formula
- C21H35N3O7
- Molecular weight
- 441.5 g/mol
- SMILES
- C1CC(N(C1)C(=O)C(CCCCN)NC(CCC2=CC=CC=C2)C(=O)O)C(=O)O.O.O
- PubChem CID
- 5362118
Risk for dogs
Moderate riskLisinopril and enalapril (converted to enalaprilat) are widely used in veterinary medicine for management of hypertension associated with CKD and protein-losing nephropathy, and for heart failure in dogs; they are familiar drugs in veterinary practice. Veterinary dosing (dogs): 0.25–0.5 mg/kg once daily; maximum dose limited by hypotension. Renal protective effects: ACE inhibitors are used in dogs with CKD and proteinuria to reduce intraglomerular pressure and slow progression — same rationale as in human nephrology. Accidental ingestion: lisinopril tablets are among the most frequently ingested prescription medications in dogs (ASPCA APCC data); dogs commonly access pills from counters, purses, or pill organizers. Signs: dose-dependent hypotension is the primary concern — weakness, ataxia, pale mucous membranes; transient AKI possible with large ingestions; vomiting, diarrhea. Treatment: emesis if recent ingestion; blood pressure monitoring; IV fluids for hypotension; fluid diuresis for renal protection; generally favorable prognosis with prompt treatment. Feline use: lisinopril and enalapril are used in cats for systemic hypertension associated with CKD or hyperthyroidism; renal function monitoring essential in cats with advanced CKD.
Regulatory consensus
2 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Lisinopril. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDA | — | Black Box Warning | Angioedema - rare but potentially life-threatening; non-allergic angioedema of face, lips, tongue, throat, or larynx; can cause airway obstruction |
| FDA | — | Black Box Warning | Teratogenicity - ACE inhibitors contraindicated in pregnancy; Category D in 2nd/3rd trimester due to fetal renal tubular dysplasia, oligohydramnios, limb contractures, neonatal skull hypoplasia, renal failure, death |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where pets encounter lisinopril
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Lisinopril:
-
Alternative drug class; Non-pharmacological therapy; Lowest effective dose
Trade-offs: Direct chemical substitution requires verification that the replacement does not introduce new hazards (regrettable substitution). Conduct full hazard assessment of proposed alternative before adoption.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is lisinopril safe for pets?
Lisinopril and enalapril (converted to enalaprilat) are widely used in veterinary medicine for management of hypertension associated with CKD and protein-losing nephropathy, and for heart failure in dogs; they are familiar drugs in veterinary practice. Veterinary dosing (dogs): 0.25–0.5 mg/kg once daily; maximum dose limited by hypotension. Renal protective effects: ACE inhibitors are used in dogs with CKD and proteinuria to reduce intraglomerular pressure and slow progression — same rationale as in human nephrology. Accidental ingestion: lisinopril tablets are among the most frequently ingested prescription medications in dogs (ASPCA APCC data); dogs commonly access pills from counters, purses, or pill organizers. Signs: dose-dependent hypotension is the primary concern — weakness, ataxia, pale mucous membranes; transient AKI possible with large ingestions; vomiting, diarrhea. Treatment: emesis if recent ingestion; blood pressure monitoring; IV fluids for hypotension; fluid diuresis for renal protection; generally favorable prognosis with prompt treatment. Feline use: lisinopril and enalapril are used in cats for systemic hypertension associated with CKD or hyperthyroidism; renal function monitoring essential in cats with advanced CKD.
What products contain lisinopril?
Lisinopril appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
See Lisinopril in the pets app
Look up products containing lisinopril, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in pets View raw API dataSources (2)
- FDA Prescribing Information: Lisinopril (Prinivil/Zestril) — ACE inhibitor; Black Box angioedema + pregnancy; cough; renal artery stenosis; hyperkalemia; pediatric hypertension ≥6yr; CKD proteinuria; Black Americans risk; WHO Essential Medicine (2023) (2023) — regulatory
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Cardiac Drug Toxicosis in Pets — statin myopathy in cats; beta-blocker bradycardia dogs; CCB toxicity (amlodipine/diltiazem); ACE inhibitor renal effects; warfarin anticoagulant; furosemide; toxic dose thresholds (2023) (2023) — veterinary
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →