Lisinopril side effects

I am taking 20 mg in combination with 12.5 HCZ. It has kept my BP in the normal range of 110/75. In the first day of my lisinopril regimen, I experienced a strange tickle at the back of my throat. My doctor said it was probably nothing. That gradually, over 6 months developed into fits of coughing that hit 2-3 times an hour and continued throughout the night. It was the coughing that made me finally decide to stop the drug. I also had constant mucus drainage down the back of my throat that I'm convinced is connected with the Lisinopril as well, although my doctor disagreed and said I had a low-grade, long term infection. Well, after 3 courses of 3 different antibiotics, it was still there. In the last week, I developed increased coughing fits, and was having an allergic reaction causing rashes under my arms, and itching in all the tender places. Doctor said the rashes and itching was a reaction to the Hydroclorothyazide. I'm now on Novasc 10 mg. Hopefully this will be a better experience and still give me good control of the numbers.

I am taking Adalat XL 60 mg. once a day.. as far as BP went was working fine.. They found I needed a stent in my heart... specialist put me on metropol 12.5... after the operation i went back to him.. BP was 80/53.. wow, no wonder I was feeling tired.. he advised me to stay on it.. NO WAY.. just my Adalat XL is working fine.. BTW.. and for the Gladys1948.. a few days after i started the metropol (lisiopril) I noticed a floater in my right eye... was disconcerting.. but is slowly leaving since stopping the drug.

I was put on Lisinopril in June by mid July started with the throat clearing then a choking feeling. Doctor saying its allergies, then post nasal drip, started Musinex plus Robitussin, so after nothing worked and I kept coughing they FINALLY, 12 weeks later ,says Oh I bets it's the Lisinopril DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't get anything to stop this choking cough its horrid I have been off the meds 5 days today, Its so hard at work and when trying to sleep I can only pray for some relief soon.......................

Here is my update:
I last took Lisinopril on July 7th 2008. .I am slowly recovering with the help of a good diet, exercise and supplements.Lisinopril strips the body of Zinc and Zinc supports the immune system. I am taking zinc,magnesium and co-enzyme q10. This c0-enzyme is wonderful! It takes about two months to actually feel the results but for the first time in 5 years I have energy.

I also take vitamin c. I try to exercise at least 5 days a week.My blood pressure is slowly coming down naturally.I will not take those pills. I will take my chances.
I think I have permanent right shoulder damage,although if I take Glucosamine, it does feel better.I still also have major stomach problems such as pain, indigestion and rib pain.

I took Lisinopril for 3 months. Symptoms gradually got worse: eyes watered, nose dripped, ears itched, puffiness under eyes, hair loss, tired all the time, body was very tense, night sweats, couldn't sleep well, and started having sharp pains like pin pricks. The doctor said to stop Lisinopril and switch to Cozaar (for Losartan). I didn't want to start another medication until I got this out of my system, so I stopped Lisinopril 4 days ago. My symptoms started to subside in about 3 days, but then I started to get horrible cramps behind my thighs. For 2 days now the pain keeps me awake at night...I can't get comfortable. At 11:00 p.m. tonight I had to take 1 Lisinopril to "wean" off this horrible drug. I don't have hypertension, but was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes--so the medicine is supposed to "protect" my kidneys. Does anyone know whether Cozaar is any better? I hate taking meds!

Get off this nasty drug. It has the most horrible side effects.Is there a lawsuit against this drug. If so I need to follow-up.I had,:
THROAT SWELLING AND LIPS SWELLING
EXTREMELY DRY ITCHY THROAT.
DRY HACKING HEAVY COUGHING CONSTANTLY(could not get sleep)
ENDED IN ACUTE TONSILLITIS WITH FEVER
after getting of the drug I had no more problems with coughing or respiratory infections.these side effects are common with this drug. Yet the docs are pushing it. What are the pharma companies giving thes doctors??I no longer trust doctors.

I had a terrible cough.Constant and very dry and hacking. Making sleeping impossible. Working impossible.My life was turned to mush.The coughs were very heavy and causing my throat to swell and feel extremely dry no matter how much I drank.I developed acute tonsillitis. I needed antibiotics to clear up.I have a fever and was sicker than I can ever remember.I called the doctor and told her I never had any of the coughing until taking this med.then I read it is common. Why in the ---- would any doctor prescribe such a horrible drug.??
I have never had a heart attack and only had slight blood pressure issues. Sometimes it gets a bit high. Not often. Doctors are drug pushers for the pharma companies.I have no respect left for this doctor.And will never go back.

Started Lisinopril on April 7, by June 28, could not get a deep breath when I needed it, like when you yawn....went to a pulmonary doc and he took me off the lisinopril that my primary dr. had given me because he said it had ace inhibitors in it and was interfering with an enzyme in my throat. He said would take about six weeks for this to get out of my system, I only have 6 days left, does anyone know how long it takes to get out of your system.

j.

September 25,2008 I was told to increase my dosage of Lisinopril from 10 mg to 20 mg and suddenly awoke on October 2, 2008 with a extremely swollen top lip, the degree was enough to get me into the ER room where I was issued Prednisone and Hydroxyzine with Famotidine which I had to take over the course of a few days to a week.

It must be the HCTZ... I was on Lisinopril 20mg for a month with little avail to my bp. I'm 25 and prior to taking it I was at 150/120: during I was bouncing between that and 130/90ish. A Walk-In clinic doctor started me on Lisinopril/HCTZ 20/12.5 and within the week, I had major upper back pain, trouble seeing and severe nausea. I have since gone to half a pill and feel much better. I hadn't heard of any of these side effects. Please let me know if anyone has similar experiences. My Mother thinks I dealt with a bout of the flu, my sister thinks I'm pregnant. Hmph.

okay people...I have been on Lisinopril for 5 years now with every side effect
you can think of...rashes, lethargic, severe depression, weight gain, pain in legs, back, arms, neck.
I am also a diabetic w/ nephritis (protein in kidneys)
I used to take cozaar, but insurance doesn't pay for that so now I take 20 mg lisinopril.
I am going to ask my doctor to chg my meds...this is ridiculous.

My Dr. suggested that I try Lisinopril because my BP was 138/86 and I have type 2 diabetes. Today is my 4th day on it and my last. The side effects are terrible. I thought about giving the drug a chance by getting use to it but after today I wont. I am thankful for this site and the info.

i have had all these experiences with hctz and linisiprol i am not on metoprolol, i am returning to doc tomorrow to change this as well, dizzy, foggy leg cramps etc etc. i usually go to the gym 4 x a week in the last 2 weeks since all this has been the most dramatic i have hardly left the house for fear of passing out. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what may be the best one? there has to be at least one....!!! I am so sick of all my docs being in denial of any side effects, i am glad that i am reading all of this now i don't feel so CRAZY.

I am so glad I found this web site!

Let me start by saying I am a 42 year old female paramedic, so I am not big on taking ANY medications, period! My endocrinologist has been after me for 1 1/2 years to start taking 10mg Lisinopril to protect my kidneys since I am a type II diabetic, and now because of my elevated B/P and the fact that my last set of labs showed a increase of protein, something to do with the kidneys. I have resisted taking the medication, in hopes I would lose some weight and get my B/P down. But due to an injury, exercise has not been an option for me and now that I need a surgery, I had to break down and start the Lisinopril ( the doctor will not be able to operate if my B/P is elevated).
I started the drug 10 days ago, and at first was happy I did not seem to have any of the side effects that I read about. I had researched what I could find at the time, and even talked to my pharmacist about it, since he takes it as well.
After a few days, I saw an occasional drop in my systolic pressure, down in to the 120's from the 140's/ 150's, and not much of a diastolic drop, maybe, down to 90 from 94-100. I did notice my pressure would be high if I had been moving around before checking it, and I was disturbed to find that my pulse was now on occasion running around 104 after only walking through my house to my room where my B/P monitor is. My pulse never runs that high unless I have been very active. A few nights ago, I woke up and turned over in bed, and noticed my heart felt like it was fast ( tachycardia) and this happened more than one night. I decided I was going to discuss this with my doctor this week, until what happened today. I went for an MRI on my neck, and noticed I was anxious when they put me in the tube. I felt like I was breathing heavy and figured maybe I was just nervous. Then tonight I had an acute onset of anxiety, and just felt bad all over. I had some numbness on the left cheek and other symptoms that I knew had to be from the Lisinopril, so I got online and started looking for more info, and found this site.

I can absolutely believe everything I have read here. I have taken so many patients to the hospital in my career just because they were having side effects from a medication they were taking. And that is exactly why I did not want to take this or any other medication unless I was forced to.
I am not taking this stuff again, and calling my doctor first thing in the morning. In fact, I am going to tell her that I want my cardiologist to handle my hypertension medication from now on.

I must say to EVERYONE who reads this, please, do not just take ANY medication just because a doctor gives it to you. Research all you can, ask questions, and if the doctor does not want to answer you or tries to make you feel crazy or stupid, CHANGE DR.'S!!!!! I have seen way too many bad doctors out there, and I have seen some outright kill patients. I am not saying not to trust anyone, just be very careful, and follow your instincts. I am very happy to have found this site, and I hope it helps others that read all the posts here. If I get any good info from my doctors, I will let you know.

After finding this website weeks ago and stopping my Lisinopril I am still suffering some pretty major stomach issues but at least I feel like my mind isn't as scattered as it was and a lot of the other symptoms seem to be subsiding. I still take a look at this website 2-3 times a week and I am amazed that almost everyday someone is posting how sick this drug has made them. I really feel bad for people who don't have the access to this website and are stuck with the debilitating side effects and don't have anywhere to turn. Why oh why is this poison still being given out without warning!! Thank you to EVERYONE who took the time to put their horrible stories on here to save someone else misery!! I could not believe the people close to me who are also on this after I realized what it was doing to me. Most of the people are on it for HBP but there are also lots of people on it for diabetes and my grandmother was on it for fluid on her lungs. She is now being weaned off of it.

I was so happy to find this website!.. I am a 49 year old female taking Linsinopril for approximately 10 months now for high blood pressure (which has come down to a normal rate since being on the medication). I have been experiencing a severe in my lower back towards my left side for about 2 months now and have been tested for many things (ultrasounds, MRI's, blood work, etc.) and nothing has been found to be causing this pain so far. The pain is constantly there, but more severe when I have a bowel movement and for about 1-2 hours afterwards. I also have the following symptoms: pain in joints on left side of my body - ankle, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand (including joint swelling mostly on left side). Bad pain and weakness in upper left arm when I try to rotate my arm backwards - can no longer pick up heavy objects with left hand. Also have pain in joints on right side, but not as severe. I have experienced headaches and my abdomen feels swollen all the time. It feels as though someone pumps air into my stomach every morning. It also feels as if something is throbbing or on fire across my abdominal area. This condition has disrupted my life - I have no energy and feel weak and tired all the time. I get out of breath easily just from walking or any amount of exertion. I no longer have the ambition to do the things I used to do. I've been thinking that there has to be something seriously wrong that the medical doctors are missing - and have feared some type of cancer. Now that I have found similar symptoms on this website, I am going to try to stop the Lisinopril and see if my symptoms subside.

I have been taking Lisinopril now for only six weeks .I am a 52 year old male with high blood pressure and like most Americans my body mass is slightly high by 25 pounds or so. First I was on 10 mg and then moved up to 20 mg and it has helped my blood pressure a lot from 188/104 to 124/78. I wasn't sure until I read this site that I might have been having any adverse side effects . Like all others I developed the cough right away though not too bad, but I am having a lot of confusion and an extremely short fuse with anxiety. If I get excited my bph will spike right back up to 188/104, is this normal and will it get better ? Other than what I have described I have felt like I have been making progress. I now have lower bph and I have shed some extra weight, that could also be the changes in my diet ie: reduced salt , sugar, portion size. The big thing for me is the short fuse which is very unusual for me, anyone else?

My mother started taking lisinopril on 25th September 2008 and she suffered a massive stroke on Sunday 28th September and died within hours. My mother had high blood pressure but was so active, so well in herself. I will never know if the high blood pressure caused the stroke or the fact she had just started taking Lisinopril.Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

I am a 72 yrs old female. Put on Lisinopril-HCTZ 10-12.5mg 2 yrs. ago. Took Cozaar until drug provider (AARP) wouldn't pay for and told my doc to use Lisinopril. For a while I was ok...then the trouble started. Nausea, dizziness, headaches and swelling of legs and feet. All slow to happen. Then shortness of breath, cough and itching. Leg cramps got me up pacing and in agony several time nightly. Had a creepy feeling in the back of my neck, joint aches, tiredness, stomach PAIN, hot tingles in feet and toes late in the day. Slight weight gain, a runny nose and sneezing in the AM.. Hot one minute, cold the next. At some point I realized I had a feeling of ill-health, a def. loss of my usual feeling of well-being. I was edge, nervous and finally got depressed enough to call a psychologist. That's when I found this web site. Therapist told me to tell my doc and maybe get another BP med. instead of L. Ten days ago I stopped taking it and went back on the Cozaar...I will pay for it myself. I just want to feel good again. The mental anguish this drug has produced shouldn't happen to anyone. Also, I shouldn't have to find a web site that tells me I'm taking poison either. Last night I slept straight thru the night w/o awaking. First time in God knows when. Still some nausea but I can tell the effects of Lisinopril and lessening. Take hope all u people who have posted here...I think it will get better for you now that u don't take that snake juice anymore. I think it's good that we all stopped it before we started slithering through the grass of our front lawns. This too shall pass. Thanks for posting here for me so that I could finally feel good again. I owe you a huge debt for my sanity.

I am 43 year old financial advisor at the second largest bank in the United States. I have always considered myself in very good athletic shape. Three star athlete in baseball, football and basketball in high school. I went on to letter for four years as captain of a division I baseball team. After college I continued to run, work out, and manage/play baseball up until this day. It was at my routine physical that my Dr diagnosed me with hypertension. No surprise I thought as being under plenty of pressure at work. My blood pressure was140/85.
Although I continue to work out three to four time's per week my weigh has spiked from 190lbs to 208 lbs in the year and a half that I have been taking Linsinopril. Until I found this web site I couldn't explain the cough, pain in the left side of my neck or the feelings of emptiness/depression that have followed me around like a cloud. That is when I can get out of bed and function that is. I used to be happy and fun loving. The person that you wanted to be around. I truly believe that this drug( that I have heard contains snake venom) is a big reason why I haven't been myself. I am not the type of person to spend time researching the internet and have always been skeptical of nuts writing or responding to any one or thing over the internet. I consider myself to be fairly rational and sane. However, this drug has made me dull and empty. My lowered sex drive almost ended my marriage. For a year in a a half I have been in a psychotic hell. I never thought about questioning my Dr. until recently when my marriage almost ended as a result of my feelings and anxiety attacks. Although my blood pressure is 115/70 my life has been a mess. I find it hard to believe from the posting here that only 1% of users of Lisinopril have suffered any type of serious psychological reaction to this drug. Perhaps the clinical trals focused on rats or elephants, but certainly not living humans.

I have since stopped taking Linsinopril (two weeks now) and the sun is beginning to come through the clouds again. If you have been taking this drug I plead with you to stop immediately as it seems enough clinical data was ever taken to fully understand the impact of this drug.

I hope that someone else does actually read this post and find it useful enough to impact their life. STOP TAKING THIS POISON

Confusion, trouble thinking, trouble concentrating, decreased cognitive function, mental sluggishness, foggy perception of reality, trouble solving problems or situations which require logical thinking and sequencing, memory loss, depression, irritability, low tolerance, lack of patience. jeez.....the list goes on. All that since I started Lisinopril. Never had it before. All of my symptoms seemed to be more neurological than physical, like other people's. Of course, everyone's body is different. I got off this stuff awhile back, but I still have the symptoms. I hope these symptoms are reversible. This is terrible. I need to get back to my normal life once again. It's like this junk is Alzheimer's/Dementia by design. Really.

I am 25 and in shape (115 lbs) and have high bp adn kidney damage. I take toprol-xl and norvasc. I also just switched from Cozaar to Lisinopril 2 or 3 weeks ago because my insurance does not cover Cozaar anymore. Ever since I switched I've had lower than normal blood pressure, dizziness, feeling faint and then 10 days ago I started having diarrhea everyday. I thought it was a stomach virus but it doesn't seem to go away. At first I was up every 2 hours at night, then last night it was every hour for 9 hours. Does lisinopril cause diarrhea like this?

OMG -I'm 47 and I've been on for 6 months now and I've had a hunch for a few weeks but never thought I'd find this!! I was on Hydrochlorothiazide for 1 wk-had cramps in my toes so Dr. immediately took me off even though I said I felt great-but peed a lot!- He said this would be better for me..... EVERYTHING I've been feeling is the same as you.......I've just not been able to put my finger on it - I just felt "different", I thought it was me and I was getting "old" with a nagging tinkling cough, at the worst time "bed time"...ruins any sex life! I had fatigue, problems concentrating, headaches- back of my head, blurred vision- my eyes would kinda fog over- scared me to death so had tests but all was ok), I've been getting that "bummed out feeling" & didn't feel like doing anything but I've always loved Summer and Fall - going to the beach, riding motorcycles, swimming, my garden and to be outside, but now I kind of force myself to do. Then just this past week I've been feeling sick and nauseated, with an acid reflux vomit feeling and I've just had enough.......There are way tooo many coincidences here....... I have to get off of this stuff!!

Hi I am 45 an been taking 5mg Lisinopril daily for the last 5 years, I am also a very active racing cyclist. Over the last 12 months I have seen my performances drop by 50% and I am so tired all the time, I also feel short of breath, been to docs he ran all the normal tests, nothing showed up, also,I now get terrible headache above my right eye whenever try any exercise. Watch out for grapefruit, it must react with the meds, my throat swelled up almost closed, horrible experience, I now ger blurred vision and muscle weakness. Not on, I have taken myself off the meds to see if things get back to normal, I will be able to monitor the situation based on my cycling performance results and will report back.

Have been on Lisinopril for about 3 years. In the last 2 years I developed hoarsness, frog-in-throat type of feeling--some unexplained vaginal & bowel irritation --not severe but rather uncomfortable. Thought I had yeast infections but NOT. I have stopped the Lisinopril and feel a bit better--am hoping to feel like a normal person again. My BP is 129-132 over 68--did I really need the drug?

About 8 years ago I was prescribed Zestril by a private physician, after joining Kaiser 6 years ago I was switched to Lisinopril. 20mg/day. I had no problems until about 9 months ago when I suddenly had a SEVERE rash on my arms, back, and legs. After 3 physicians and an ER visit no one could identify the rash and no one asked about BP medications. I changed soaps, foods, clothing, and took lots of Benadryl. No improvement.

I never considered the Lisinopril because I had been taking it for so long.

My last physician was a very knowledgeable female doctor who confirmed that even after years of Lisinopril the side effects can suddenly appear.

It has been two weeks since stopping the drug and my condition has slightly improved but still very bad. Doctor says it could take weeks, months, or longer for symptons to leave.

My biggest complaint is that no previous physician including the ER never inquired about BP meds or Lisinopril. Incompetent at the least, bordering on malpractice.

Has anyone has similar symptons after a long use of Lisinopril?

I am so glad that I stumbled onto this website. I have been feeling bad for over 1 1/2 years with unexplainable symptoms all of which started around the time that I was put on Lisinopril/HCTZ 10/12.5 to help control my HBP. I started out with flu like symptoms, that progressed to terrible headaches onto chest pain that sent me to the ER. I thought I was having a heart attack. I've been to see every kind of Doctor you can name: neurologist (headaches) allergist,cardiologist (heart doctor), hematologist (bloodwork), rheumatologist (to rule out Lupus) all of which can't seem to find anything wrong with me. I mean nothing. I specifically asked my doctor some time ago if my symptoms could be could be related to the new BP meds and he told me "NO". After reading these testimonials, DON'T THINK HE'S RIGHT. I'M GETTING' A NEW PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN!!!!!

My husband had been taking Lisinopril which he has stopped now for a few weeks . He is suffering from Bladder Stones not Kidney Stones Bladder stones . Had an operation for this last year took out 9 the size of garbanzo beans . Now they want to cut his bladder open again for more than the last time one is the size of a small egg. Does anyone out there know if the Lisinopril was causing this was taking it for 3 yrs.

I am so glad I found this page. I was on Lisinopril and I just quit taking it 30 days ago. I have developed a cough and at times when playing sports I begin to feel like I cannot breathe. My doctor has prescribed a new medication but I hear lisinopril will stay in your system for approximately 90 days after you stop taking it.

I have also seen an Allergist just in case it was allergies and just by luck he had attended a conference recently regarding the side effects of Lisiopril. He diagnosed me with having the side effects but still took blood samples for further testing,

~ Mig

Listen EVERYONE. A LOT of the pills you are going to take have side affects and A LOT of them react with the other meds you are taking. It is a horrible time because you mostly attribute your feelings to your sickness and you want to trust the "system" to take care of you...Well be VERY CAREFUL HERE. I BEAT HEART FAILURE. I'm 34 years old, I went from transplant list to normal heart because of the research I DID ON MY OWN and today = NO HEART MEDS.. NO SURGERY.. BUT NOW I HAVE SEIZURE ACTIVITY IN MY BRAIN WHICH I KNOW THESE DRUGS DID TO ME!! There is no doubt. I felt so bad for so long, just like you all do... But once my heart function went up I still felt horrible... Only THEN I knew to get off the meds, but by then it was too late. It had done it's damage. Instead of just being a heart failure success story.. I have a new sorry chapter to battle with this seizure garbage. This "seizure" feeling which I had when I first started taking the meds now remain even though I am off. FYI - Did you know Lisinopril is made from SNAKE VENOM??? LOOK AT YOUR SIDE AFFECTS>> SOUND FAMILIAR???..Look it up.. It's true. I know it's a tough call though.. What do you do?? You need to do something to help your heart right? Just listen to your body.. That's the best advice.. Your body talks to you. Listen to what it is saying to you. Some people can handle certain drugs and some can not. Just like some people can handle a bee sting and some can die from one. Simple concept really but for some reason it boggles doctors minds if you have a bad reaction...doctors are not gods... Do your own research like I did. It will give you an edge and help you feel less confused. Know your medication: what it is doing and why... EMAIL ME.. ALL COMMENTS WELCOME_ I Will have a Heart Failure website someday so I can help others... but for now I have to figure out this seizure thing.. Good luck.

I can't say that I've had too many side effects. The worst things were the severe leg cramps. When I talked to the doctor, he suggested that I might need more potassium. On that day, I took a potassium supplement and a banana (or two) a day. The cramps have since stopped.

Keep that potassium in your system!
Hope this helps someone

I have been on Lisinopril for 6 days...taking 20mg along with norvasc 5mg. I don't have headaches usually and the last two days I have had sharp and very painful headaches, my throat started hurting yesterday and I had cramps in my abdomen, sides and legs so severe that I cried last night and I could not sleep. I am glad that I found this website. Besides all that, if I walk more than a few steps I feel as if I have to lie down and my heartbeat is very high. It is not the Norvasc 5mg....I have taken it for 3 years or so.

Calling my doctor and changing meds....it did reduce the BP, but I can't put up with this pain.

Hi
My husband has been prescribed 2 different blood pressure meds Lisionpril and metoprolol back in June. Come mid July he started to have trouble sleeping and slight tingling in hands and feet. Then it progressed to the arms and legs and then the face and chest. We have seen cardiologist, neurologist, sleep apnea doctors, Had EKG, MRI, Heart sonograms, Nerve test done due to the symptoms. Everything came back normal. He is miserable. The burning and pain is unbearable to wear he wants to cut his feet off and the only thing we keep hearing is well LETS DO ANOTHER TEST or TRY THIS MED. So now he is taking a a sleep med for insomnia and some seizure med for the nerve pain, thinking he may have neuropathy. This is going on 2 months now of trial and error and after reading 20 minutes of experiences, I THINK ITS THE MED!!!!!!!
What do we do then? He had high blood pressure so what meds are good with no side affects of burning or insomnia? Any suggestions or help would be of great appreciation. Thank you!!!

I have been on Lisinopril about 2 years, 40mg a day. Ive developed a cough, and i have knee pain now, which i never had before. Upon looking up side effects of this drug, joint pain was one. This stuff sounds like poison, and im going to cut back to 20mg a day and check my pressure. Eventually i may go off it all together and take my chances with high blood pressure. Contact me if you want, it would be nice to discuss this with any one, i also get nausea at times.

I have been on Lisinopril for 10 months and I have experienced horrible side effects. I am 48, pre-menopausal and I believed the side effects we due to my aging. I thought I was dying on this medication. I started having stomach problems, diarrhea, bloating, swelling in my throat, dizziness, cramps in my feet, constipation, weight gain, hair loss, shallow breathing, increase in my glucose levels making me pre-diabetic. Most importantly, I believe the drug contributed to the heart palpitations I experienced one month after starting the drug. I rushed to the hospital and had to wear a holter monitor for a day to monitor the irregular heart beats I was experiencing. My blood pressure was never stabilized until I started a new drug. I am now off this Lisinopril and taking a wonderful drug called Tekturna. Tekturna dropped my blood pressure down to 122/72 from 150/80. Talk to your doctor if you have experienced these side effects and demand a change.

Horrific muscle cramps, twitches or fluttering in my heart/chest. Aches, pains, depression, feeling old, having lots of hair come out each day, thinking it looks like more than it should be, swollen stomach/bladder/uterus, urge to pee even when my bladder is empty. Cramps in my bladder/abdomen. Some dizziness and weird vision episodes.

They had me add these in a separate area - these are just the majority of what I can think of. Part 2 to my post.

I've been on Lisinopril for about a year and a half now. I thought some of my side effects were just my bad health - tingling in my hands and arms and legs and feet. I've been in ER a time or two in fear of heart attack and they cannot usually find anything particularly wrong with me or my heart. I thought since my blood pressure was down, that this medicine was a life saver. I had no idea these side effects could be from the medicine. Especially since they were pretty mild and sporadic originally and only in the past few months have they seemed to increase almost daily. Also I had to get an ultrasound for my enlarged uterus and I believe the pressure I feel (I had no pressure just a few months ago) is due to the increased side effects of this drug. My concern is this, how do you safely wean yourself off of this junk once you've been on for years. I don't want to even take any more bp medicine - hbp will eventually kill me but feeling daily like I'm going to die at only 36 is not worth living a long life if these symptoms are all I have to look forward to. Save my heart, but give me neurological disorders? I don't think so.

I was on Lisiniprol for 91 days as an ACE inhibitor for diabetes and kidney protection. All was find except for a constant feeling of burning blood all the time. It was tolerable though.

But on day 91 I developed hives. 14 days after that I was broken out from scalp to sole of my feet -- feeling miserable and no relief in site.

Dr. told me that I was allergic to something and to take benadryl. 3 doctors later I was told that I had hives and had to learn to live with it. He increased my benadryl.

I took myself off all my meds except insulin -- not knowing what was going on. I researched and discovered the this drug should NOT have been given to me because I also have SJOGRENS (an autoimmune disease akin to Lupus).

The hives got worse, my benadryl was increased by the drs. Finally I passed out due to benadryl toxicisity (overdosed) and they put me on prednisone.

To this day -- 6 months later -- I still have hive outbreaks that are miserable. I have missed a day from work every 7-10 days. The prednisone helps, but as a diabetic it sends y blood sugars through the roof. My rheumo has put me on doxepin (an antidepressant) because it has an antihystamine property that seems to be helping.

It is also useful for the rheumotoid arthritis that comes from Sjogrens and such. I am sleepy a lot -- but that could be from the doxepin.

I will never take Lisiniprol or any other ACE inhibitor. I am suffering and the worse part of it: the doctors and medical profession don't care and simply tell me to learn to live with it.

I was on Lisinopril for about 3 1/2 months. I coughed the entire time-day & night. I coughed until I vomited almost daily. I had diarrhea, severe muscle cramps in my sides and toes. The coughing was HORRIBLE and I really thougth it was going to kill me. I saw a new doctor who told me Lisinopril is notorious for causing coughs. My first doctor told me to take Mucinex. He is a moron. Thank God I changed doctors. It took an additional 16-17 days for the cough to subside once I stopped taking Lisinopril. Now I am taking Norvasc 10MG. It makes my ankles swell. Not thrilled with it but I could not cough another day.

I took Lisinopril for five months. The dose was increased from 10mg to 40 mg per day. At my request my doctor switched me to Amlodipine Besylate. With Lisinopril I was tired all the time and had Abnormal hair loss. Within a week, after the switch, I was back to normal.
My daughter experienced the same thing. She was switched to Amlodipine
and is back to normal. It may take a while for the hair that was lost to come back in.

Update on my experience with Lisinopril.
After 3 ER visits & 2 hospital stays the palpitations quit when the HCTZ (diuretic) was removed. Adjustment of dosage got the B/P readings down to acceptable levels but some side effects remain after 2 weeks. Dry-eye syndrome and over-the-counter drops do not help. I'm up most of the night-time.
However in the daytime after I exercise I feel sleepy and can sleep for a couple hours time.
Wondering if this side effect will go away or what. Anyone with the experience ?

I have been io Lisinopril for several months, and the only side effect I can say is a VERY ANNOYING rash on the inside of my upper thighs. It comes and goes and gets worse with warmth, like a heat rash. I also have now developed a rash on my butt that is looks to me like shingles. Very itchy, to the point of bleeding from scratching. I treated with diaper rash ointment and triple antibiotic ointment to not much improvement. Reently tried a jock itch ointment which seems to be working. Also took myself off Lisinopril 2 days ago, and things are getting better, but very slowly........

I hope someone can help. I am 42 year old female and I have been on Lisinopril 9 years. I now take 5mg daily, down from 10 when I first started taking it after developing cardiomyopathy. Lately my ever constant post nasal drip is worse, my throat is sore, headaches daily. I clog the sink daily with the hair I lose after the shower. My GP doc has done loads of tests on my head to check causes of headaches but all is normal. Never mentioned maybe 9 years straight on Lisinopril could be the problem. Of course I can't see my cardiologist for weeks. Any one experience the same?

I was on 10mg of Lisinopril for 6 weeks (switched from Azor). After the first 3 days, I was having trouble swallowing . . . this went away 2 days later. Then, I was having trouble breathing, sinus problems, dizziness and constant FATIGUE during the course of the 6 weeks. I am a very active, energetic, 30 year old male. I'm not overweight, and play basketball 2 or 3 days a week. I really think I have White Coat Syndrome (170/110 at dr's office - 130/75 at home), but better safe than sorry.I could not even run for more than 5 minutes straight without feeling like I might pass out. I would have to say during those 6 weeks, I was functioning about 50% of normal, at best. I tried to stick it out to see if the side effects would go away; they only seemed to get worse over time. My Doctor said it was the "summer fever" and allergies. I felt it was the medication, especially after reading these posts, so I switched doctors. My new doctor took me off of this medication. He said Lisinopril can has been known to effect your lungs and cause breathing problems. He is located in the same practice as my previous doctor. Why she didn't inform me of any side effects, I'm not sure (thanks for nothing). All of my terrible symptoms were gone within a week. I am now taking Bystolic (5 weeks), and feel normal again. My father has been on 30mg of Lisinopril for 12 years, and never had any problems. I believe everyone reacts to medications differently. I am now on my 3rd medication in 7 months, and think I have found the one that works best. I guess I'm just one of those people that has trouble adjusting to medication. Good luck to those of you that have not found the right medication yet.

My mother was given this drug, Lisinopril, because the doctor decided she had high blood pressure after she went in for a bladder infection (she's had these all her life, every now & then). The doctor also prescribed Nitrofur (please avoid THAT one like the plague - she was on the couch for a week in stomach agony). We didn't put 2 and 2 together on what was really going on until yesterday. She was on Lisinpril for 3 months and every 2-3 weeks had an episode of extreme stomach spasms, bloating and fatigue. These episodes have lasted 3-5 days each, keeping her on the couch in agony. I researched the internet and found out that Lisinopril is made from SNAKE VENOM, can you believe? Turns out lots of people have reactions from this, including coughing. There was one woman who had the exact same things as my mom and wouldn't you know it, stopped using Lisinopril and the episodes went away. Turns out this is an allergic reaction, something they say is rare, BUT I think it depends how long you take it and how sensitive you are. So my mom immediately stopped taking it. What's happening inside is something they call gastrointestinal angioedema (in layman's terms, internal hives). If you experience coughing, the hives are in your throat. If you experience the stomach pains, the hives are all in your intestinal tract and very possible more areas internally. So then I looked up and found an excerpt from "One Earth Herbal Sourcebook" on Google and found the author had experienced something similar, using ayervedic (indian) herbs to fix the problem. I couldn't find where to buy ayervedic herbs, calling Whole Foods Market with no success. Well, all over the world there are healing herbs that do similar things. So I did find 2 that would work. Marshmallow (the herb, not the campfire kind) will help relieve swelling internally. There is another herb called Goldenseal (don't use it if you have very high blood pressure as it can cause a spike) that has antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Anyway, now you know what is going on inside - hives you can't see from snake venom. Take that to the doctors and see what they say. Maybe your just better off like we are to research yourself and find a natural answer from nature. I hope this can help others avoid the hell we've been through.

I am a type 1 diabetic and was put on the Lisinopril over a year and a half ago, maybe 2 years. I have my hair coming out when I shampoo and the red patchy skin on my lower legs which is dry making it embarrassing to wear shorts or capris. It makes me feel ashamed. I have laid off both the Lisinopril and HCTZ for a few days now. I got blurry vision, and I think it has made me gain weight. I get the swelling of the angles by this or both meds. Before taking these, I didn't have the swelling. I liked reading through the replys here on this medicine or both. I tried to identify some replies with myself and what I am experiencing. I want to get off this crap and take something else if at all "Alternative" at best. I did take atenylol (sp)? before. If anyone wants to contact me, they can e-mail me at ****** because, I would like to see what others are doing differently now to take care of the situation I am going through.

HELLO EVERYONE....IM SITTING AT WORK AND JUST DECIDED TO RESEARCH THIS DRUG LISINOPRIL...BECAUSE I AM REALLY BORED....WHEN I GOOGLED THE NAME I CAME ACROSS THIS SITE.....OMYGOSH...I THOUGHT I WAS GOING CRAZY...I HAVE BEEN TAKING Lisinopril FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW....I ALWAYS READ THE INSERTS THAT COME WITH THE MEDICATION BUT I NEVER SEEN THE SIDE EFFECTS THAT WE ARE HAVING ON THE INSERT...I SING IN THE CHURCH CHOIR AN I ALWAYS WONDERED WHY MY VOICE WOULD BE SO HORRIBLE AND MESSED UP..I AM SO HAPPY I GOOGLED THIS DRUG...DOSE ANYONE KNOW HOW LONG IT TAKES BEFORE YOUR BODY GOES BACK TO NORMAL AFTER STOPPING THE DRUG....

Was previously on Micardis HCT; dr. switched to generic Lisinopril HCTZ 12.5 in 11/07 when I went on Medicare & was concerned about cost of Micardis. Since that time I've put on 10 lbs. and had increased pain/muscle fatigue and general lethargy. Unusual, as I've exercised 4-5 days per wk. (incl. aerobics/strength trng/flexibility.) for 20+ yrs. Also, frequently, have problems swallowing pills due to feeling of obstruction in esaphogus tube. In July '08 I awakened to slight numbness/tingling in lips and my lips then proceeded to the swell to the point of pain and my lips (in profile) protruded further than my nose. I received steroid injection and prescription for steroid pack. Diagnosis was possible allergic reaction to new cosmetic product. Today (9/3/08) I woke up with the same symptoms and again had to go to the dr.for a steroid injection & meds. Diagnosis this time (different dr.) was possible side effects of "blood pressure meds." Has anyone else experienced edema of the lips, wt. gain, and problems swallowing?

I have been on Lisinopril for about 10 months. I have really not felt well the whole time and have developed some side effects that i have gotten use to and just lived with and couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. I had fatigue, problems concentrating, headaches, chest pain, blurred vision, body aches and overall didn't feel like doing anything. I also noticed a small rash on my stomach/chest when i would get out of the shower but figured it must have been soap or something. I even tried not using soap and it would still be there. Friends and family started telling me I never feel good etc. So about 3 weeks ago I got really sick with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, chest pains etc. Kept thinking i had a virus or something. A few times i was so sick I layed on the floor wondering what is wrong with me. Finally got into my doctor today and he also said it was a virus. A few people said they thought i was my blood pressure pills including my chiropractor. The doctor ran a sleu of tests today and i should get the results tomorrow. I have also had itching all over my body and a vaginal infection so i thought that would not go away. From reading all of this I realize everything is a reaction to the medication and I did not take a dose tonight but 2 benadryl instead. I always noticed throughout this that i always felt better towards the evening of course because that was when my medication was due. I will not be taking anymore of this and I am not happy that so many people are being given this everyday without any knowledge. Thank goodness people are responding and telling their stories so we don't think we are going crazy and hopefully feel better and maybe save a life!

I want to add something to my original post. I only took this med for 10 days (5mg) and was miserable. After 3 weeks I was beginning to feel better (having 1 bad day, then 2 good) when suddenly I experienced pain in my left side, numbness and tingling. My doctor sent me for a kidney scan. Five days after this new pain began, I developed another rash. I realized that I had shingles. So PLEASE be careful if you have any symptoms. This puts a terrible stress on your immune system. Apparently my immune system couldn't handle the stress and the result is shingles. So, I'm miserable again and probably have another 3 weeks to go before I begin to come out from this episode.

Also, for those of you who are switching to another blood pressure medicine that is an ace inhibitor (as lisinopril is), you will not tolerate those either. They are all made from the same ingredient, snake venom.