Lisinopril and ace inhibitor

I have been on Lisinopril 20 mg for the past 9 years. I can't believe I have taken it for such a long time. I noticed some strange chest sensations 2 years after taking it but pushed through it. Then I developed breast cancer and went through the chemo and radiation while continuing to take it. In the last 2 years and more recently in the last 3 months, I felt so many skipped beats that I had to check it out and I also have had significant hair thinning. I had a holter monitor, resting EKG, lots of bloodwork and was told that everything was normal. Normal???? Then why was I feeling so rotten and scared every time my chest decided to heave or get funny sensations in my throat. Doctors do not want to hear these types of complaints especially when you think it is related to a medication that they ordered.
So I decided to try an alternative approach. I have been taking fish oil, coenzyme 10, cholesterol nutritional supplement, Vit C, Vit E. I started these about a month ago while still taking Lisinopril. I finally stopped the Lisinopril yesterday so I'll see if I have any improvement of my symptoms.I also went to a website that showed 1% of people can have skipped heartbeats while on Lisinopril Here is the URL
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Hope this helps many of you who have similar episodes. MHS

I am 61 years old. I started taking Lisinopril 10mg, once a day about 6-7 months ago. Because of cough, I switched to Diovan 80mg, once a day (samples from my physician friend). After running out of Diovan samples, I started taking Lisinopril 5 mg, once a day again about three months ago. For better BP control, I ended up again taking Lisinopril 10 mg, once a day about 5-6 weeks ago. I started to simultaneously suffer from having persistent, extensive and progressively worsening joint and muscle pains in my both sides of neck, both shoulders, both upper arms, left elbow, left lower arm, both wrists, both hands, all fingers, both knees and left calf muscles. I had difficulties walking, moving my arms, shoulders, doing anything with my hands at the peak of the pains about 7-8 days ago. In the night, my fingers were very stiff and uncomfortable that I hardly could make a fist and I had difficulties getting up to go to bath room because of pains. I felt like I were a 90 years old man. Even Cataflam and Advil did not work well to relieve the pain. As a retired physician, I started to suspect it was Lisinopril-induced side effects. I searched on Google and found this web site. Now, I realize that I am not alone. I got my Lisinopril from CVS Pharmacy. I immediately stopped taking Lisinopril about one week ago. All my joint and muscle pains have been dramatically subsiding (although not completely disappeared) without taking any NSAID pain killer. Even "cough problem" became much worse during the same time. I am convinced that Lisinopril I got from CVS caused my serious, extensive, multiple joint and muscle pains. Perhaps, FDA should look into this side effect: whether it is common ACE inhibitor related side effect or it is possible manufacturer, country origin of the product related problem (made in a non-USA country and imported by CVS?). I would never take Lisinopril again. Posted by myh810.

As I read these posts I want to S C R E A M! This drug is like a slow death from Arsenic. If your Memory is impaired, it should be. It's listed as one of the side affects right inside the pamphlet that the Pharmacist gets. I have a Pharmacist friend and she read me, muscle pain, joint pain, muscle twitching and on and on. It's poison for sure and anyone on it should get off it ASAP. My husband's been off for one year next week and he still experiences mental sluggishness and cognitive deficits. So much so, he's retired because he could no longer do his job. It creeps in on you slowly, and insidious. When you start to notice, you're scared to say anything or you don't associate it with this drug. Guess what, the only drug he's ever taken. And, oh yeah, lead to depression. This is a centrally active Ace Inhibitor that cross the blood brain barrier and is literally poisoning you. Actually, there is a derivative from a Brazilian Pit Viper. Synthetic or not, it's poison. Get off people, get off. It will eventually affect your memory more and more until you resemble some form of dementia. Maybe that's why so many people are sitting in Nursing Homes with full blow dementia. The disease that caused it are the DRUGS you're taking.
Get off.

My mom just passed away 2 months ago from taking this ace inhibitor and she had been on the medication for years. The explanation we received is that "in African Americans, we are proned to have allergic reactions while on this medication and it could happen at anytime...even if you took the medication for 10 years, u could just all of a sudden have a reaction." My mom took it at least since 2004, I seen an old prescription bottle while cleaning her house. I am very torn about what i should do. I cant bring my mom back and I miss her dearly. Is there something I can do about this? Contact the makers? Who are they? Warn others? My mom was only 57 and if I can help someone else, then that could also help me heal.

I'm a 65 year old type 2 diabetic with low-functioning thyroid. I was put on lisinopril over a year ago to prevent kidney problems. I have been on 10 mg tablets. Even before I was diagnosed with diabetes I had low blood pressure so that was not a problem.

My main side effects are hair loss, coughing, insomnia and leg cramps, joint pain. I think the lisinopril is pulling nutrients from my body. I told my family doctor about the side effects I had found but he seemed more concerned about the possibility of kidney problems than any of the side effects. I know my hair loss is not age related as both of my parents had full heads of hair when they died and my mother was also a type 2 diabetic.

My blood sugar is under control, tests usually 85-90 twice a day, last A1c was 5.5 which is quite good. I take Byetta and metformin twice a day, levothyroxine, enablex. I recently started taking magnesium as it was besides calcium plus D, a multivitamin all ordered by the doctor. I also take crestor. Feels like all I do is take pills!

My weight is 166 but I'm short, 4' 10", so still heavier than I should be for my height. I try to get exercise but have degenerative arthritis in lower spine. Funny that I developed bursitis in my right hip recently, I just thought the arthritis was spreading. Now I'm not so sure it might not be due to the lisinopril also. I stopped using it yesterday so we'll see how long it takes my body to recover from this drug.

Does anyone have any experience with how long it takes to stop coughing or for the hair to regrow after quitting lisinopril?

I took 20 mgs a day for 5 days in September of 2006. I developed a terrible cough, but worse than that, severe chest pains & shortness of breath upon exertion. I still can't go up & down stairs; my pain is brutal and it's going on 3 years since it all began. Before I took the lisinopril, I hadn't been having any chest pains or trouble breathing.

Is there any hope of recovery? My doctors all say they've never heard of this kind of side effect; that lisinopril is a very common drug; it's clear that I have reduced lung function & definite pain & symptoms, but there is no way to isolate the exact thing causing it or to figure out how to make it go away; just to control the symptoms.

My theory: the lisinopril triggered an autoimmune response in which my body physically tries to reject my own lungs. Any thoughts on that one? I had been taking cozaar as an ACE inhibitor to slow the rate of my renal failure; I have type 1 diabetes and hypoparathyroidism, and while I needed meds before this episode, all I had to do then was manage my diabetes & I was able to live normally. Since this, it's been nearly impossible to do ANYthing. I am at the end of my rope & I want this to stop. But 3 years later, and while the shortness of breath is improved, the pain is actually worse now. I could sure use some advice & support. I'm on my way this week to get set up with a new dr. because we've moved, and I'm going to have to go through this whole thing again. Also - I'm trying to compile a list of other people who have had side effects with chest pain & shortness of breath. Also anxiety & panic attacks as collateral damage.

I started taking lisinopril 20mg Nov. 12, 2008. I've never smoked poison ivy before, but that's how I describe the constant side effect. Sinus and upper gums, upper chest. A dull allergic feeling. Some days I am preoccupied with it, gets depressing. Does keep the BP down. I am weaning the dose down to stop. I know you're not supposed to stop taking them, but I am sick of feeling sick. I've told the doctor twice, I think he thinks I am imagining it. I don't have insurance, it cost me $300.00 out of pocket to see him for ten minutes. I hate felling trapped like this.

43 yo Male 5'9, I weighed 259 lbs 2 years ago. I am now 221 lbs. I want to be 200 lbs. Work out 3 times a week gym. Take vitamins. Diet is better than what it was.
Can't say I am not trying. But if all BP meds are like this, I will no longer take them, and just take my chances.

I first started Lisinopril hctz about 3 years ago. Within the first day I had hives, a rash, itchy skin and RED RED face. Dr says it will go away. So I keep taking it. Fast forward a month and I start coughing, coughing at night so bad my husband can't sleep. It's so bad I feel like I'm choking and cough so much I am almost throwing up from the dryness and my throat being so constricted. During that time, I also start having some big whopping sinus pain and pressure. Felt like there was a tennis ball in my sinuses. Big time pain, headache. Dr says nothing wrong, just some allergies. I start taking Benadryl at night to sleep, to help with the itching, wheezing, coughing. It seems to help a bit. So I deal with all this. ALong with the coughing at times I am having trouble getting in air. Almost like I have to force it in. Not sure if it's my throat, sinuses or my chest. Next comes, some bass drum booming of my heart. I think it's so loud in my chest and my ears that others can hear it. This still happens on occasion. At times my legs feel like tree trunks or cement and I just don't have the energy to do anything. My hair started falling out in GOBS. I go to derm doctor, they say it's stress. It'll go away. Next I have kidney pain.... this goes on for a few months... come to find out I have a stone. But I never had any kidney problems before. Doctor's say it could be from the hctz and my kidneys having to work harder, but they were speculating. GP says keep taking Lisinopril hctz the benefits outweigh the side effects. I asked him if he has ever had a kidney stone he says no. I keep taking it. Leg cramps come next, bad cramps. I go to dr and he says it's my potassium, the hctz has depleted the potassium in my body and need to start on some big styrofoam potassium pills. All this goes on for almost two years. Fast forward to now. I'm still beat red in the face (and cannot handle the sun), coughing, sinuses full, itchy and bass drum beating (on occasion), heart flutters (on occasion).... four days ago I almost fainted because I was so dizzy within two hours of taking my pills in the morning. I am by no means able to sit on my butt and do nothing because of all these side effects. I have a farm to run, horses to feed and ride, hay to bale and put up, and I'm ready to get my body safe enough to start trying to get pregnant. I start doing research and find Lisinopril to be UNSAFE for a fetus. I start to think, well if it is unsafe for a fetus why is it safe for me? So then I googled side effects of Lisinopril and it brought me here. Thank God, I have a GP appointment tomorrow. I'm taking control back of my own body. I've had enough....

For just over two years I suffered with chronic sinus infections and I could not understand what the cause of it could be. My doctors (two sinus specialists and also GP) did not even know about this side effect of Lisinopril. I was on antibiotics five times last year. The sinus specialists told me I must go for sinus surgery. I tried to remember when my sinus problems started and tried to link it to something else. Then I realized that I started taking Lisinopril in September 2006. Shortly after this I had my first severe sinus infection and I almost had pneumonia from it. Shortly after I recovered (after taking a strong course of antibiotics) it was not three weeks then I had it again. I had sinus problems the whole of 2007 and 2008. I decided to do some research on the internet to see if the infections are related to Lisinopril. I was shocked to discover that so many people reported the same side effects. I requested my GP to change my BP medication to a different group (Non-ACE Inhibitor). I cannot believe the difference. No more sinus infections! Also, I had flu once so far and I managed to recover from it without the use of antibiotics. This is a real breakthrough for me. I am just glad that I found this forum.
JM, South Africa

Is anyone experiencing confusion, trouble thinking, trouble concentrating, decreased cognitive function, mental sluggishness, trouble solving problems or situations which require logical thinking and sequencing, and memory loss? Would love to hear from anyone experiencing any these symptoms and if so, how long were you on the drug.
Thanks!

I'd had been on Altace 20mg (2-10mg capsules) for about 2 yrs. A year ago a 25mg. HCTZ tablet was added. BP was under control (140-150s/ 80's) with only side effects from HCTZ, cramping from mineral imbalance, and the occasional bouts of being lightheaded. I decided to go off meds and monitor BP. I was fine for about 6 weeks, but then BP started up and felt I needed to get back on meds. Dr. agreed and prescribed what she said was a replacement ACE inhibitor with the convenience of HCTZ built in, Lisinopril HCTZ. She also prescribed Benicar an ARB. I took both for five days with side effects of being light-headed, feeling like fainting occasionally. On day 6, I developed an ugly skin rash/swelling on right front part of my head. I thought it might big a spider bite. Next day I developed more of the same on the right side of my nose, my right eye, and on my right cheek. I thought it was the Benicar, since I was made to believe an ACE inhibitor is an ACE inhibitor (from Altace to Lisinopril), and did not have a history of problems with it, and the ARB was the new kid on the block. I quit taking the Benicar but the symptoms persisted for 3 more days. I called the Dr. and was told they did not believe it was related to the meds since it did not manifest earlier, but to go ahead and stop taking the Benicar until the symptoms subsided, then resume to see if they came back ( sound like good advice to you?) 4 days after being off Benicar the rashes and swelling were worse. I then decided the problem had to be the Lisinopril. I have been off only 24 hrs, but symptoms are starting to improve. I will be calling tomorrow for a new Dr.

Gil
I just wrote an entry concerning a potential problem of fatigue and tiredness which may be related to the ingestion of 20mg. of lisinopril on
a daily basis. I suggested the possibility that another BP Rx--Inderol might be better for some patients; of course, each person needs to check with his or her own physician to choose the right BP medication--often a matter of trial and error. I've been taking the lisinopril for almost three years; I started out with 10mg., then more, then 40mg./day. After retiring, my doctor and I found that I could get the same effect with half as much lisinopril; it took a few months after retiring. So now I'm taking 20mg. of lisinopril/day.
In the past 3 months or so, I've been experiencing a lot of tiredness and the need to sleep much more than is usual for me. I think it may be the lisinopril, and I've made and appointment with my doctor to discuss
a different medication. Everyone should check with his or her own physician before changing medications or taking new ones.
I neglected to mention that lisinopril is an ACE Inhibitor while Inderol is a Beta Blocker. Also, lisinopril is sometimes prescribed with hydrocholorothiazide. Hydrocholorothiazide is a diuretic. My physician first prescribed the combination of lisinopril and hydrocholorothiazide. However, in checking out this Rx on the internet, I noted that if one had an allergy to sulfa, it would be best not to take the hydrocholorothiazide since this diuretic is connected with sulfa in its formulation. My physician then prescribed only lisinopril and not the lisinopril/hydrocholorothiazide combination.
Again, each person needs to check with his or her physician to make sure they are getting the proper prescribed medication. It is also my belief that it's a good idea to read the literature provided by the pharmacy about any medication and also check the new Rx on the internet so one can know about the possible side effects and also any allergies(connected with the new Rx) one might already know about and have, as was the case with my taking hydrocholorothiazide.

Hi, I have just started Lisinopril today, and wanted to search the internet on side effects. I was taking atenolol and felt I was on the right blood pressure med because it was working. Well I started getting tired after 4 years on atenolol, it started 1 month ago. I went to the Dr. and they did a ekg and told me they are surprised I am still walking/standing because my pulse was measured at 41 and that explained why I was so tired all the time. I am 49 years old and am going through menopause and deal with high blood pressure. Well the Dr. told me to stop the atenolol immediately. Then 2 days later I went to see th Dr. again and they switched my blood pressure over to linsinpril. I also take HCTZ a water pill and have been taking it for years. I hate to say it but I am developing the sore throat thing after 5 hours on the med and I am worried about that. I took my BP reading and it is better than ever 108/59 pulse 68. I guess I will get some honey lozengers for the sore throat. Not saying it is the lisinopril causing it but my body is very delicate and I watch my meds carefully so I know when something goes on in my body (meds) and I feel it right away that I have to wonder if it is going to be an ongoing problem for me. I will keep you updated on this as I really am hoping that the lisinopril helps and I can get my energy back. Have been taking the B12 and magnesium and vitamin D and Calcium. I also take vitamin B2 and B6 every other day. I had yeast infections constantly and the B2 has really helped me with that. I get night sweats and hot flashes and take soy pills for that and the herb sage every other day. I was taking low dose prempro about 6 months ago for 2 years and that made my hair fall out terribly, but also made it grow a lot too, it was a ongoing problem with the hair laying everywhere in sink on the floor etc. I stopped the Low dose prempro and the hair loss stopped, so if I lose hair from lisinopril I will be used to that, but hope it also will grow. I need to give this lisinopril a chance as I have little choice right now. My heart they said was pumping too slow, the pulse should be 60 or above not low like 41 so I will keep updated on how the lisinopril side effects are with my body.

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 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 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.

WoW! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO glad I found this website!

I had been taking Lisinopril HCTZ 10-12.5 once daily since April of this year. I was on Labetalol 200mg/2x's daily as I developed Hypertension during my pregnancy. Once I delivered my baby I was then switched to Lisinopril HCTZ by my primary care physician.

The Lisinopril did wonders for my blood pressure but by mid-June I started having side effects. I went to my doctor numerous times and then to the ER since I thought I was having a heart attack. The ER doctor suggested that I was having panic attacks or just symptoms from the cold I had. So, I went to my primary doctor and she immediately jumped and gave me Prozac. Never once did either doctor ever link the symptoms to the Lisinopril.

My symptoms included:

*Light Headed
*Dizziness
*COUGH COUGH COUGH!!!!!!!!
*EXTREME DIARRHEA - Everything I ate or drank came out like water almost immediately!
*Chest Pain and pain down into my left arm and fingers
*Chills
*Blurred Vision
*Rapid Heartbeat
*Cold/Sweaty Feet
*Sweating
*Bloated Feeling
*Tight/Itchy Skin
*Rash on chest 2x's
*Nausea
*****Panic attacks and feeling like I was going crazy!!!!!******

Upon finding this website Friday, August, 22nd, I went to my doctor and told her NO MORE was I taking this medication! It's POISON! I am now taking Ziac 5/6.25 once daily. Ziac like Labetalol is a Beta Blocker rather than an ACE Inhibitor and may not be as effective but I sure would rather this than Lisinopril.

I am still experiencing some of the side effects of the Lisinopril but I am hoping that they will deminish soon. PLEASE!!

I, like a lot of others have mentioned on this website felt like I was loosing my mind. I felt like I couldn't explain all the things I was feeling because some of the feelings just didn't come out right and did make me sound crazy. At one point my doctor told me it was "all between my ears!" Okay?!?!?

I hope this has helped others and I plan on making a complaint on the FDA website, this medication needs to be removed from the pharmacies! It's poison!

If anyone knows how long the side effects last after stopping this medication I would surely appreciate the info!

I started taking 10 mg. of Lisinopril on July 8, 2008. At first, I experienced extreme fatigue and weakness. However, this wore off after a few days. The dosage was increased to 20 mg. on July 21, 2008. I started having horrible symptoms on July 29, 2008: rapid pulse (as high as 118 b.p.m. while I was quietly reading), heaviness in my chest (which felt worse after I exercised), and shortness of breath. I had never felt so bad before in my entire life!!! I suffered with these symptoms until August 15, 2008 because I was hoping that they were just temporary. Unfortunately, they only got worse the longer that I waited. It is such a shame, too, because Lisinopril really did a good job of keeping my b.p. down.

This is the third day that I haven't taken Lisinopril, and I am feeling a little better. I am now on Metoprolol, which is helping with my rapid pulse. For those of you who experienced breathing problems while taking Lisinopril: How long did it take before your breathing returned to normal?

I was diagnosed with hbp in January 2008 (197/112), my Doctor prescribed Micardis to which I had few side effects limited only to 2 weeks of muscle and joint aches attributed to the HCT found in Micardis - once the aches subsided I had no noticeable effects to the Micardis and my bp dropped to under 130/80 but my insurance insisted that they would not cover the Micardis until I had been prescribed an ACE inhibitor so my Dr. prescribed Lisinopril and HCT as a water pill, within days of taking the Lisinopril I started having a dry, gagging cough that was aggravated by laying down making sleeping a serious problem.
I have found that drinking hot water is the only thing that will temporarily cut the tickle.
I have also noticed that I have been having dizzy spells and have started sweating profusely at the slightest exertion.
Still waiting BC/BS to authorize Micardis after 2 months or I will have to try another ACE inhibitor that may not have the same effects - any ACE inhibitors found to not cause these or similar symptoms would be greatly appreciated.

decomposition of lisinopril in acidic medium so narrow absorption window.

I am a 50 year old female and started taking 10 mg of Lisinopril about 2 months ago for HBP. I also take Lovastatin with no problems for about 2 years. Within a few weeks, I starting having the dry, hacking cough along with the tickle in the throat. I also starting itching over various parts of my body. I starting urinating a lot especially at night. Between the coughing and going to the bathroom, I was not getting much sleep. I was tired all the time and was not able to concentrate very well. A few weeks ago, I noticed my skin was getting little red spots. It finally dawned on me that all these symptoms occurred after I started taking the Lisinopril! I went online and found this site. I can't believe they would put a drug like this on the market! I quit taking the medicine about 4 days ago and my cough is starting to decrease, my itching is almost gone and I am not urinating as much. I have an appointment with my doctor in a few days and will tell him that I will NOT be taking this medicine anymore. I will find another way to decrease my blood pressure without medicine. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS DRUG!!!!!

I take Lisinopril and have for about 4 years. No side effects, but over about the last year I noticed increased coughing--like a smoke who quit. I "weeze" regularly, especially while laying down. I'm going to stop the medicine for 2 weeks starting today and will report back and see if the cough improves.
RJP

I am a 47 year old female recently diagnosed with high blood pressure. I started it 10 days ago and after 3 days I started had a tickle in my throat which made me have coughing, hacking and gagging to the point of vomiting. I can't sleep at night and during my work day which is constantly talking to people I have to excuse my self to have my "coughing fit". My head of course is pounding from coughing constantly. I saw the Dr. last week and she thinks I have a virus of some sort. After reading all of these side effects of everyone who has experienced similar symptoms I am 100% sure it is the Lisinopril. If I were truly sick the cough would have gotten better or worse at this point but it has stayed the same. I am so upset all the time about this that my blood pressure has probably increased! The cough has gotten so annoying that I stayed home from work today and I decided to stop the medication. I would almost rather die(drastic!) than deal with this horrible cough!

Here’s a little update from my last post, I hope it may be useful. The reference to snake venom set me thinking, as around six years ago I suffered anaphylaxis after being stung by a wasp on the end of my tongue. I was rushed to casualty as my head and ears swelled up. I was coved in a red spotty rash and although the major symptoms subsided after a day or so after treatment , it after several weeks before I was back to normal. I now carry adrenaline in case of a similar incident. Many of the symptoms were similar to what I have experienced over the last month, the shortness of breath, the red spotty rash ( forgot to put that in the last post. I still have the spots on my arm and back!) , painful joints, blurred vision etc….

So it got me thinking, is there a connection? It would be interesting to note if any of those posting here have similar intolerance to insect venom.

A quick Google brought up a reference to a paper by Janice L Stumpf, Nadine Shehab and Anish Patel in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy Vol 40 No 4 p699-703 titled ‘Safety of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors in Patients with Insect Venom Allergies’

In the conclusions it states ‘….it seems prudent that patients with document allergic reactions to insect venom avoid ACE inhibitor therapy, if possible..’

I’m convinced that I was slowly going into a form of anaphylaxis brought on due to allergic reaction to linisopril, I now know what I will be telling my GP, as I’m sure many doctors will be unaware of this link. Make sure that if you suffer from the same intolerance that your doctor is made aware.

Hope this helps.

Has anyone had a problem with mouth or tongue sores? My oral surgeon elimnated anything serious, but still can't for sure tell me why the left side of my tongue is sore and red. Leiton planus was mentioned, I found that on one site to be associated with certain blood pressure medications.

I was started on low dose Lisinopril 2.5 mg./day a few weeks ago. My pharmacist told me there are absolutely no side effects except for possibly an ACE inhibitor cough. That immediately made me think this drug was too good to be true. I am very sensitive to medication and have only had the need to take an occasional tylenol or motrin - ever. Usually I thrive on stress and am the type of person to go, go, go all day and once I hit the sofa after supper, I relax. Now I just feel unusually tired and wiped out during the daytime. I started with a headache yesterday that took 2 tylenol to make go away. I am able to get energy bursts, but then the tiredness! I have felt some fluttering of my heart as well. My hands feel unusually cold and achy when I type or hold the steering wheel of my car or a shopping cart. I am usually very focussed, but things are a little fuzzy in that department from time to time over the past few days. My most recent BP was 114/61 - perhaps too low? I see the MD next week for a follow up. If I tell her I'm unusually tired, she will try to put me on thyroid meds (I have been borderline for years). She also said my blood sugar and cholesterol bear watching. You know, I've been healthy for 52 years and all the doctor can say is that now my life is catching up with me. I can't help but think she has some long term pharmacological cocktail planned for me!

I must have an angel watching over me, because for the life of me I do not know how I came across this website. I have been taking lisinopril 20mg with HCTZ12.5 for about 2 years. I have felt like I was going to have a heart attach, the bloating is driving me nuts, tired because lack of sleep and some times just plain can't sleep at night, leg cramps and now my vision seems to be getting worse. I have had all the symptoms at one time or another. I am going to be 57 years old in October and I am about 30-35 over weight. But I do walk and ride my bike and do other exercises. We just did a very small job landscaping and I could hardly walk or lift my arms for about 4 days. Muscles were so sore. And I didn't do that much to have that my muscles ache that badly. On both sides of my ankles are like little fat pockets, the doctor said it was not water retention, I now have swelling under my eyes. ??? Thank you to everyone for being posting. I need to talk to my doctor and get off this stuff. I recently forgot to take my medication on a 3 day vacation and when I got home I feeling pretty darn good, as soon as I started taking the meds for 2 or so days I was back to feeling that yuky feeling

The cough from Lisinopril is from the ACE inhibitor (drug classification not isolated to just Lisinopril), one of the main side effects of almost any ACE inhibitor is a persistent dry cough...do not stop blood pressure medications without discussing with your doctor. There are many other blood pressure medication which are not ACE inhibitors and will not cause coughing, but will control you blood pressure....ask you doctor to try a Angiotension receptor blocker or BETA blocker I've been there I thought I would go crazy from the cough I experienced!!!. I was on Avapro...it worked great for me, but when my insurance wouldn't cover that paricular medication I was switched to DIiovan, and it work well also without side effects!!! I hope this helps somone!

I believe Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, and coughing can be a side effect of an ACE inhibitor. I was treated with another ACE inhibitor a few years ago for my BP. My husband would tell me my coughing was getting on his nerves. I constantly would have very frequent coughing episode like I was always clearing my throat and sometimes so much that I would gag. Some nights I wouldn't get sleep because I would cough during the night and wake myself up. I talked it over with my doctor and he changed my blood pressure medication to Avapro which is an Agiotensin Receptor Blocker which after a few days after coughing for months the cough was gone!!! My insurance carrier would no longer pay for Avapro and now I am taking Diovan and still no cough, and my blood pressure is controlled!!! It is important not to stop taking blood pressure medication without talking to your doctor. Coughing is not listed as a major side effect, but let your doctor know about this coughing you experience, he should pick that up as a side effect of the ACE inhibitor, and if he agrees to change your medication you should notice a difference if he gets you off The ACE inhibitor soon after changing meds.

yes i am 22 and have been taking lisinopril for about 2 weeks now and i have question?

i was just wondring is there any one eles my age taking this med?

my side effects is dizznes,heavyness of the shoulder and chests a little bit of dry cough,dry mouth and throat,sleepy all the time, itchy throat and just feeling weird each time i take it.
can anybody give me some feed back?

I am having tingling burning sensation in my feet, legs and hands and arms. My blood pressure was not improving on 5 mg so I upped it to 10 and those symptoms are much worse. The tingling sensation goes all the way up my left arm and up above my knees on my legs.

I have tried to take the Lisinipril before and stopped for these same reasons. My doctor does not seem to think that it is due to the Lisinipril. so I tried it again and the burning, burning sensation is driving me crazy and keeping me awake. I have to get up and stand in cold water for a while to get some relief.

I have not read about anyone with the same symptoms. Does anyone out there have these symptoms??

Hello

For about 10 years I've been using an ACE inhibitor. First enalapril, but after I figured out I had dry eyes and feeling misserable, I was put on accupril (same group - also same group as lisinopril).

A year after starting the ACE inhibitor I was diagnosed with (severe) dry eyes.

Afer stopping with the ACE inhibitor for a while I felt somewhat better. I tried taking half of my normal dose. Next day I felt terrible; painfull eyes, not feeling good, dunno how to describe it better. I still am not sure though if it is the pills. It' snot like I take it and 2 seconds later I feel bad.

I would like to come in contact with people who dealt with the same probs. Please sent me a personal message if you like. Thank you :)

THIS STUFF IS DANGEROUS!!!!!

Started taking lisonipril about 3 months ago...first month was like everyone on here has said...dizzy, palpations, chest pains, excessive tiredness....but doctor told me it was helping my blood pressure so hang in there.

In the last 2 weeks I have had severe swelling of the eyes, back of the head...diagnosis....angioedema caused by the lisinopril (ACE inhibitor). My stomach feels absolutely horrible..I feel like vommiting most days. I not someone that has been to the doctor more than 5 times in my life ...now 37, I have been about 8 times since lisinopril.

STAY AWAY!!!!

NO MORE LISONOPRIL FOR ME!!!!

nashvillecop

I have been taking Lisopril 10 mg. for only 4 days. Already I have felt terrible. The first 2 days I had so much fatigue and aching in my body - I felt like I had the flu. I spent almost one whole day in bed. Today I was feeling depressed and like I was menopausal again - with heat sensations. Now I notice a red rash on my chin and chest. I am not taking anymore of this medicine! My question is this......I had previously been taking Mavik 2 mg for almost a year. It too is an ACE inhibitor, but I never noticed any side effects with it. The reason the doctor switched me to Lisinopril is because the cost of Mavik is so expensive...even with insurance. Does anyone know, about Mavik? Also, I have taken Atenolol for many years, and if I have side effects, I'm not aware of them. Will I need to ween myself off of the Ace inhibitors? I'd appreciate your comments.

I've been taking Ace inhibitors for several years. Started with captopril, another whose name I don't remember caused marked depression (the others did not), and finally lisinopril. All caused the cough, which went away after taking it for a few months, and starts up again if I stop taking for a while and then resume. Other symptoms I attribute to ace inhibitors in general are a lack of libido, headaches, dizziness, and dramatic, but gradual, hair loss. (I am female.) At one point either the ordering dr or the pharmacy inadvertently doubled my dose from 10 to 20 mg(and I didn't catch the error for quite some time - weeks or months.) When I finally did catch the error, it explained my increased cough, headaches and dizziness, and severe postural hypotension. (I'm up and down a lot at work, and I felt I would almost black out when changing position.) I'm diabetic, and take it to prevent kidney damage. My blood pressure is borderline, and sometimes higher. Unfortunately, the ace inhibitor at 10 mg doesn't seem to lower my blood pressure enough.

I was put on Lisinopril about three months ago when other blood pressure med regimens weren't doing the job for me.

In any case, yes, about six weeks ago I started coughing, I thought it was part of a cold that I had at the time, so I was placed on Tussuinex, which contains an opiate called hydrocodone that is comparable to morphine. That stopped the cough and has been the only thing that can stop it. But I can't walk around in a narcotized state all the time.

I went back to the doctor today, reported the symptoms and was somewhat shocked to find out that the hacking cough is a very common side effect of lisinopril. "80 to 90% of all users," he said. So I am off the lisinopril and have been placed on a two-week trial of Benicar, which is a brand of olmesartan medoxomil. My doctor says it delivers the ACE inhibitor benefits of Lisinopril but without the cough. We shall see.

PS I believe Norvasc is about to go generic, so I think I'll be switching back to that when that happens. I was on Norvasc for three years with zero side effects.

I was prescribed Lisinopril three days ago. The day after my first dose, I was having losse bowel movements, but thought nothing of it because some medications just take time for your body to adjust to.

The day after my second dose, I was still having the loose bowel movements and began to feel bloated and a little crampy while at work. My stomach began to swell a little. As the day went on, the bloating and pain became noticeably worse to where other people began to comment on how swollen my stomach was getting. I was also feeling an occasional on and off tightening low in my throat.

I called my doctor and left a phone consult (where they have 72 hours to get back to you). By the time I left work, my stomach size had gotten even larger to where I appeared to be about 4-5 months pregnant!

I went home and laid down for an hour and woke up in a lot of pain and called the nurse call center where they advised me to go to the emergency room to be checked out.
I suspected the Lisinopril since that was the only new thing I had done in the past couple of days, but the ER said they never heard of such a reaction and that Lisinopril was a very mild medication.

They took X-rays of my stomach and told me my intestines appeared to be full and that I was constipated. I asked how that is possible when you have had loose stools for two days, but they said I was and gave me a massive laxitive and sent me home. What a mistake! The laxitive did what a laxitive should do, but made nothing better, it only increased the cramping and pain.

The next day I went into work and had to leave early. The doctor called me back for my consult and said it sounded like it was possibly a rare side effect (intestinal swelling) of Lisinopril. A little searching on the net found that it can happen with any ACE inhibitor though. I was told to immediately discontinue use, go on a liquid diet for a couple of days to rest my stomach and DO NOT take any more of the laxitives the ER gave me because that would only aggravate the problem.

I should be feeling better in a couple of days and the doctor said I could attempt to try the Lisinopril again to be sure if it was that causing the reaction, but he didn't blame me when I said I'd rather not.

After the holiday I need to get in contact with my doctor to see what else they can prescribe for my blood pressure. Does anyone have any suggestions I can research and bring with me to that appointment of other medications that aren't ACE inhibitors or water pills (allergic to Sulfa and cannot take) that have worked well on their BP without so many scary side effects?

I too have been on Lisinopril for some time now. I was diagnosed with high bp when I was 16 due to reflex that has damaged one of my kidneys.

Like others have said, the Lisniopril was one of the first meds that actually lowered my bp, so my doctor was happy and has kept me on it.

I have noticed the fatigue, cough and the light-headedness. Those were all sides I was willing to deal with, but lately, one side effect has been unbearable.

Over the past 5 days, I have completely lost of my sense of taste. I spent last night in the ER as the doctors thought it may be neurological and I should have it looked at. The conclusion they came to is that it may be related to this bp med, and therefore, any other ACE Inhibitor.

I called my kidney doc today and have yet to hear back.

I'll let you know what I find out.

Not necessarily a new effect but the cough was horrid for a long time. After years of taking Lisinopril I had 2 episodes of tongue swelling and rushing to ER for doses of antihistamine and adrenaline. SCARY. am no longer on an Ace inhibitor

Has anybody else experienced very bad headaches from this medication? I'm seeing my PCP tomorrow and telling him to take me off of Lisinopril and try something else, but NO MORE ace inhibitors. My husband was put on an ace inhibitor a few years ago and had the most horrible seizure like side effects. He would get coughing really bad, his eyes would all of a sudden roll back and then he'd pass out. As soon as he was off of the ace inhibitor he was back to normal. Thank God! You put your life into the hands of a doctor to take care of you and wind up going through hell. What are we supposed to do?

Picked up a prescription for Lisinopril today. 20MG tablets for High Blood pressure. 57 yo male, smoker, beer drinker, chronic bronchitis. (Yeh, I know)
Was on beta blockers before (Tenormin) At night cramps in feet and calf mucles, cough, diareah, lethargic, fatigue, cough and most importantly IMPOTENT, Viagra is not all its cracked up to be.
So, as far as side effects, looks like they about simular, but I sure hope the impotency problem will be solved.
I'll take the stuff stuff tomorrow, but thanks to this site, I'm warned. Thanks to all. I asked my doctor to switch me to an ACE inhibitor. I want a normal sex life back, as I did before the Beta blockers, then I think I can live with some of the side effects.
I'll report back in a month.

On the lisinopril, my stomach get more and more irritated. It started to feel like it was made of leather, gettting harder and stiffer. There were positions I couldn't sit in because of the discomfort, for example, sitting in an airline seat was very hard on my sore stomach. This went away quickly at first after quitting lisinopril: after 2 days off the "med" I knew it was the cause. Took about a week before my stomach really started feeling better. Then slow progress from there.

My doctor said it was psychological... When it comes to taking sides between us and the drug companies, the doctors choose the drug companies... FYI, you can see my other posts from Guest0222,Guest00222, Guest000222, etc...

Also note that you should not swallow that icky sticky stuff your lungs are trying to expel. It will irritate your throat and stomach. Its gross but I make an effort to cough at the sink in the morning, so I can avoid swallowing it.

I've recently found that these ACE inhibitor medications can also cause zinc deficiency. I've tried some extra zinc, since I still have lingering stamia, energy, shortness of breath problems. It seems to helpful at about 3x-4x the RDA/DV (recommended daily allowance/daily values).

My routine includes calcium, iron and a good B-vitamin (a B-50), and now zinc. Am getting better, still not back to where I was before the lisinopril, and tremendously slow progress.

Have been taking Lisinopril, Atenolol and hydrochlorthiazide for about two years with disastrous side effects, including chest tightness, dry cough, dry hair, alopecia areata, depression, for which I was prescribed Paxil and then Zoloft, which only exacerbated my alopecia! There has got to be a safe alternative for controlling blood pressure other than this horrid Beta Blocker and ACE Inhibitor.

If you're like me then the lump in the throat isn't reflux.

I discovered that the lump comes from swallowing that stuff that is coming up from the lungs.

The ACE inhibitor class of medications is well know for the side effect of a "mild" cough. This cough is dry or non-productive, meaning that the volume is low and there is no colored flem coming up. Because of this the doctors consider this to be a mild cough. However, there is a very sticky substance that the body is trying to evacuate, and if you swallow it, it will irritate your throat and stomach. Of course, it is already irritating your lungs.

To test for this you can do the following: When you wake up in the morning, clear your throat and spit out every bit you can. Do this procedure before each meal or eating something. If at any time during the day you find that you have to cough or ahem to clear your throat, do not swallow and spit instead. For me I noticed a dramatic improvement in about 4 days. Still, it's not a cure.

After about two months of following this procedure, I relaxed and stopped spitting as much. I had no problems for a while, but then suddenly, my lump was back. It seems that the body goes thru waves of trying to expel this stuff. So when it does that, I go back to the spitting procedure and that helps.

I've been off the medication for close to 7 months now. You can read my 3 month report below, user guest00222.

I've found that Vitamin C with bioflavonoids helps the twisting sensation in the stomach as one person described it. I think that this might also help those with hair issues (hair falling out, dryness).

I've found that calcium helps with shortness of breath felt low in the chest. Because of this medication, my stomach is really tender and sensitive and I've had to seek out supplements that are very gentle. I've found that calcium citrate w/ magnesium helped me quite a bit (from twin lab).

I have frequent aching and soreness in the chest and bronchial tubes, and have found that Vitamin E helps with this. At first, it made me tired, but that went away after a few days, and it helps enough that it's worth it.

I'm currently experimenting with mushrooms as they are reported to have benefits for deep breathing, which is my main on going issue. So far they are helping, but I'm having a bit of increased irritation in the stomach, so I have to find a brand that is gentler.

Note that with starting these supplements, sometimes they help the lungs be more productive for a week or so, so remember not to swallow what's coming up.

I thought my problems with these side effects would be gone by now, but some of them linger on. I'm starting to consider legal action. If the drug itself is not the problem, then maybe the generic has some vile impurity in it. This just isn't right.

And the doctors are very unhelpful. They prefer to suspect you rather than the drugs: they are advocates for the drug industry instead of for their patients.

I hope some of this help. Good luck to all, and please post any progress, especially with natural supplements.

I was put on Lisinopril just over 7 months ago and shortly thereafter noticed I had a dry, hacking cough. It cam and went at different times of the day and more recently it was waking me up several times in the middle of the night. It was causing me a lot of problems on the job too. I finally went to my ENT and after about 2 minutes of questions and examination, he readily diagnosed it to be caused by the Lisinopril. He told me he has seen hundreds of cases caused by this medication. I called my Cardiologist and he is going to put me on another BP med that is NOT an Ace Inhibitor. Now I just need to see how long before this blasted cough takes to disappear.

Oh... no I don't think Atenolol has any diuretic effects. You'd have to add another drug for that, but there are plenty of simple old-fashioned ones that work just fine and just for that. I meant to say I'm on 25mg of Atenolol -- not 24. Wow, your symptoms sound awful. My doctor wanted to increase me to 10mg/day! No way!!! Does anyone know of an ACE inhibitor for MR (Mitral regurgitation) that doesn't have the Lisinopril side effects?

Why or why... are all you people being given Lisinopril for high blood pressure? Atenolol (brand name, Tenormin) is as side-effect free as any drug, is specific for high blood pressure, and really lowers it with a very small dosage. There are tons of other similar drugs too. The ACE inhibitors should be used for heart (defect) problems. Mine is. I never heard of using an ACE inhibitor for hbp!!! Has anyone ever looked into this? You're taking massive dosages and getting very little results. What's going on?