Based on NIH | Is anxiety a known side effect of lisinopril, and what should I do if I experience anxiety while taking it?

Anxiety can occur with lisinopril, though it appears to be uncommon. FDA‑approved labeling for lisinopril lists “anxiety” among reported neurologic/psychiatric adverse reactions, and some product labels include approximate rates showing anxiety reported more often with lisinopril than placebo in clinical trials. ^{[1] [2]} Anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia are grouped among central nervous system side effects seen with ACE inhibitors, including lisinopril. ^{[3] [4]}

How common is it?

• In clinical trial tables from an official lisinopril label, anxiety is listed at about 5% with lisinopril vs. 1% with placebo, indicating it has been observed but is not among the most frequent side effects. ^[2]
• Other lisinopril labels list anxiety as an observed adverse event without giving a precise frequency, which still supports that it can happen. ^[1]

Why might anxiety happen?

While the exact mechanism isn’t fully defined, ACE inhibitors can affect the nervous system and have been associated with symptoms like nervousness, insomnia, and paresthesia; anxiety may occur within this spectrum of effects reported for the class. ^{[3] [4]}

What to do if you feel anxiety on lisinopril

• Monitor your symptoms: Note timing (e.g., after dosing or dose changes), severity, and any triggers such as caffeine or missed meals. If symptoms began soon after starting lisinopril or after a dose increase, that timing can be informative. ^[5]
• Contact your prescriber: It’s reasonable to discuss whether your dose should be adjusted or whether another blood pressure medicine would be a better fit if anxiety is persistent or distressing. ^[6]
• Do not stop abruptly on your own: Stopping blood pressure medication without guidance can raise cardiovascular risk; any changes should be supervised. ^[6]
• Check for urgent symptoms: If anxiety is accompanied by chest pain, irregular or pounding heartbeat, confusion, seizures, severe weakness, or trouble breathing, seek prompt medical care. These can indicate other issues that need urgent evaluation. ^{[7] [8]}
• Consider short‑term strategies: Some labeling suggests early CNS effects like nervousness/insomnia may lessen after the initial days; temporary dose adjustment or short‑term symptomatic measures may help, guided by your clinician. ^[5]

When to seek immediate care

• Signs of allergic swelling (angioedema) such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, hoarseness, or trouble breathing require emergency attention. ^[9]
• Marked dizziness or fainting, significant chest pain, or severe neurologic symptoms should also prompt urgent evaluation. ^{[9] [8]}

Could another medication be better for you?

If anxiety seems linked to lisinopril and does not improve, your clinician may consider switching within the antihypertensive options; ACE inhibitors are one class among many effective choices. ^[10] Clinicians often individualize therapy when side effects affect quality of life. ^[6]

Practical self-care tips

• Keep a regular dosing schedule and avoid taking doses right at bedtime if insomnia or restlessness are an issue, after discussing timing with your clinician. ^[5]
• Limit stimulants (caffeine, decongestants) that can worsen nervousness, and maintain good hydration and nutrition to avoid compounding symptoms like palpitations or lightheadedness. ^[8]

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Quick reference table

Topic	Key point	Source
Is anxiety reported with lisinopril?	Yes, listed among neurologic/psychiatric adverse reactions.	[1]
Approximate incidence in one label table	Anxiety ~5% on lisinopril vs. 1% on placebo.	[2]
Related CNS effects reported	Nervousness, insomnia, paresthesia noted with lisinopril/ACE inhibitors.	[3] [4]
What to do	Contact prescriber; consider dose/timing adjustments; do not stop abruptly.	[6] [5]
Urgent red flags	Angioedema signs, chest pain, breathing trouble, severe confusion, seizures.	[9] [8] [7]

Overall, anxiety is a recognized but generally uncommon side effect of lisinopril; most users do not experience it, and when it occurs, it may improve with time or with adjustments made in partnership with your clinician. ^{[1] [2]}