Lisinopril and allergic reaction

Lisinopril; I had an allergic reaction with in 3 hrs of taking my first pill, my lips swelled up and it moved down my neck, went to emergency and was pump full of Benadril; at that time I proudly weighed 169. Doctor switched me to Atenanol and this helped my blood pressure, but my weight that I had worked really hard to loose all came back. Now I weigh 230 and have no metabolism...I want something else to take besides Atenanol. Please help!!!

I have been on Lisinopril for almost 10 years now for minor HTN. A few months after beginning Lisinopril, I began having swelling in my lips and slight swelling in my tongue. I figured I was probably allergic to something but did not give the medication a thought. Approx 1 year after taking it, I had a severe allergic reaction that caused my tongue to swell to the point my tongue was sticking out of my mouth and I was having difficulty breathing. I drove myself to my family doctor and was treated with epinephrine and steroids. The doctor had the crash cart ready in case I "punched out." After about 3 hours the swelling subsided. My doctor and I tried for several weeks to determine the trigger for the episode. There didn't seem to be any specific reason for it.

Fast forward almost 9 years to last week. I have been battling severe sinus conditions for about 10 years or so. I have now had 5 sinus surgeries to remove severe polyp growth in my sinuses. My ENT finally decided I needed to see an allergist. After going over my history and my medications with my young doctor, I told him about the swollen tongue episode. He immediately told me that it was due to the Lisinopril. He told me ACE Inhibitors are notorious for those types of reactions and it could happen again at any time, even thought it has been over 9 years since the only episode. He told me he would contact my GP and advise him to take me off the Lisinopril and prescribe something else.

Like many others on this site I too have experienced many symptoms that have not been properly explained. I am just wondering how many could be attributed to Lisinopril. Based on many of the side effects I have read here, some or all can be attributed to the Lisinopril, including the sinus conditions I have been battling for the last 10 years. My GP and I will be having a very serious talk at my next visit.

My father stared on lisinopril on Friday, on Monday his tongue swelled so badly that he lost his airway and by Tuesday he was legally brain dead from lack of oxygen secondary to tongue swelling. Thanks lisinopril for taking my dad.

My friend has been taking Lisinopril for several years,then suddenly last week she woke up with a swollen face and tongue! Went to ER. When asked what meds she was on, they told her was the Lisinopril. It can happen anytime! They gave her benadryl to bring the swelling down. She was really frighten.
No longer on this bad med!

Maxine

I have been on Lisinopril for about 4 or 5 years. This past Saturday,11-10-07,I started having some strange problems. At first my tongue swelled up so big it was hanging out of my mouth.Later my mouth and tongue got so sore and tender it felt like I had chewed on glass.I wasn't able to eat or drink.I couldn't sleep for the severe pain.I was breathing hardhad swollen lymp nodes,my throat swelled so bad it was almost closed.My throat never did get sore though.I also experienced lightheadedness.I had to go to the ER where I was told it was from the Lisinopril.I had a severe allergic reaction which I was told isn't uncommon.The Dr. said any BP medicine can cause this but he has seen quite a few cases involving Lisinopril.I was given injections to counter-act the Lisinopril.I started feeling 100% better within 15-20 minutes.I gad to stay at the ER for a about 2 hours so they could check on me to make sure I was okay.After finding this site today and reading others experiences,I recalled how just recently I have had nausea,lots of headaches and too many other problems to mention.I never associated these things to any meds I am on.Thanks for all the other posts.It is very helpful,

I thought I was the only one feeling strange about this medication until I came upon this website that had more than 26 pages of blogs about this!!!! I used to take 25 MGS of Atenol-ol until I requested my Nurse Practioner to adjust my medications because I thought the medication was not helping me. Big mistake!!! I was asked to take Lisinopryl/HCTZ on Friday and immediately on Sunday, I started to develop skin rashes in my ears, neck and hands. It looked pretty much like a bad sunburn and it was itchy. That night I called the advise nurse and was asked to stop the medication. At first I thought that I was having allergic reaction to HCTZ because I had one in the past so when a new prescription was filled, they gave me only Lisinopryl 20 MGS. I decided to cut the medicine in half and would only take 10 MGS BUT inspite of this, the first 2 days I took it, I started having difficulty in breathing and it felt like someone was holding my heart. This experience brought me to the emergency room where I was checked and given an EKG which turned out normal. That day I was asked to visit my medical provider. I really thought my medication was going to be changed, but guess what, I was asked to CONTINUE taking Lisinopryl 10MGS with Atenol-ol 25 MGS because "Lisinopry is such a good medicine" according to my doctor. I followed her advise for only ONE DAY and my rashes persisted. On top of that, I started feeling my demeanor changing -- I was not as alert; I felt I have to make extra effort to do things in order to do it right and I keep on forgetting things which I don't usually do. I was really scared because I felt that my quality of life was being challenged! I saw this website and I found out I was NOT ALONE. Thanks to all of you bloggers I have STOPPED taking Lisinopryl and just went back to taking Atenol-ol like I used to with intentions of having another appointment with my Nurse Practioner to just raise the dose of the Atenol-ol because my body can take this medication. In the end it is OUR BODY and we should all listen to what it's saying to us! I am doing lifestyle changes now. By God's Grace I know that eventually I will overcome this! God Bless All of You!!!!

I feel so blessed to have found this site tonight!!! I took Lisinopril for a year...June 05' to July 06'. I started experiencing allergic reactions....swollen lip, eye, hives (more like welts) all over. Did not connect to the lisinopril right away though I had just renewed my Rx and the pharmacy was using a different manufacturer for my medication. I then started experiencing indigestion and constipation (never ever had problems with)....actually had to go to the ER one night.....ended up calling 911 the following morning because I was going to pass out....woke up fine, after 10 minutes broke out in a sweat....my BP was apparently dropping....never passed out in my life, but knew it was coming so I opened the front door and called 911. The operator kept me on the phone talking while waiting for help....I started throwing up as they walked in the door, and felt immediately better. They had me sit, took my pressure....I was feeling much better.....I still didn't tie it to the Rx, but after several more allergic reactions and tired of taking Benadril, I asked to have my BP Rx changed. I continued to have allergic reaction on 4 different types of BP Rx over a 6 week period. I decided to stop taking all BP medication Sept.06'. Two weeks ago I decided to try the Lisinopril again as I have not been able to control my BP for the past year. I thought maybe I had experienced a food allergy last year....until I found your website tonight. What caused me to look for info tonight was a hot flash experience today....all day. I am 48 and Perimenopausal, but I have not experienced a hot flash as of yet....after reading all the blogs, I don't think I was experiencing a hot flash! I also have not been sleeping well the past two weeks....and I never have trouble sleeping. I also have been lacking energy and have had tingling in my hands and aching muscles....I'm not taking another pill!!! I'm going search for a natural remedy and start working out!
Kathy

Finally, I found a blog that I can relate to. I've tried all types of alternative treatments and nothing seemed to work. Finally after much dismay, I decided to take Lisinopril and HCTZ to control my BP. In May of this year the doctor went up on my meds from 10.2 to 30mg of Lisinopril. I've had struggles with depression and ED. I also have itches and had an allergic reaction with my throat almost closing and later vomited. I've had enough of this trickery by the pharmaceutical industry. I strongly recommend a book by Gwen Olsen called Confessions Of An RX Drug Pusher. That book has changed my perception completely on the drug industry.

I had to take my husband to the ER yesterday due to the side effects of Lisinopril, which he has been taking for 15 years!! His lips were swollen as were his cheeks and he had a heavy rash over many parts of his body. The nurse I spoke to asked if he was having trouble swallowing. He was to call 911 if I didn't get home in time to get him to the ER. The Dr said he was having an allergic reaction to the medication and 20% of people taking it have the reaction of facial swelling which can affect the tongue and/or throat (which can actually close up) no matter how long they have been taking the medication. Until you can get on another bp medicine, have a 50 mg of Benadryl on hand at all times and head for the ER if your face starts to swell or swallowing is a problem.

After less than two weeks on Lisinopril I felt terrible. I told my doctor, but he insisted that I continue to take it because "it was so good for my heart." I do not have a heart problem.

Over the next year, I fell multiple times; and was seen in urgent care for hives, facial swelling, and other symptoms of allergic reaction. I was ultimately referred to an allergist who diagnosed an allergy to Lisinopril.

The drug did not control my blood pressure, and in fact could have caused anaphylactic shock. I was prescribed Epipens to carry at all times, in the even my airways closed at a cost of $500 out of pocket before Lisinopril was identified as the culprit.

I personally know of two other women with the same experience. The drug is not as great as it is made out to be by the medical profession.

i went to my alergy doctor because i had some serious allergic reaction a while ago.. anyways I told him the drugs I was taking and I said lisinopril and that i was taking a 5mg tablet (after cutting it in half). Wow he got pissed.. he said to get off of that junk and that it has alot of horrible effects and its a horrible drug.. I guess my 5mg along with my very low blood pressure must of lead him to believe that id do fine whitout it.. He actually seemed like a doctor that cares about people.. not like my other one (drug dealer trying to prescribe everything). He was trying to get me free samples of my allergy medicne and gave me 50% off and stuff so It seems like he really cared about my health and not the money.. So im officially going off lisinopirl... Originally i went on it because my blood pressur ewas about 10 point shigher on the dia..

From this experience it has thought me that lisinopril is not a good thing.. I also started the DASH diet after seeing it mentioned on this board... wow i lost 10 pounds in about 2 weeks and my blood pressure was lowered about 8 point so far...I think if you are strong willed and are able to cut your sodium you should try it instead of taking this horrible medicine... Ill update all of you if my side affects finally go away. Right now its just some strong heart pumping and stomach pulling.. im still gonna do a stress test in a week just to make sure im safe.. id advise no one stop taknig their medicne just like that unless you take a few precautions like second opinions and other heart monitorings..

Here is a new reaction the ER doctor is attributing to my taking Lsinopril. I complaineed previously about weight gain, tired ness etc. but after my dose yesterday at 5:30 PM I was sitting embroidering and watching TV. At about 9:30 the left side of my tongue began to swell...it continued until I could not swallow, talking was nearly impossible. Checked on WebMD regarding sweeling of the tongue! Yikes, bad news. I have never been rushed into the ER so fast as I was at 10:30 last night. When I was stabilized the doc explained that you could take this drug as I had for 2 years or more and suddenly suffer this allergic reaction. Apparently it is a 1 in 1000 reaction BUT what if I was on the plane to Hawaii when it happened???? Doctor on board? Has anyone else heard of this? Stacie

I was taking Lisinopirl for one month almost to the day and then one day I woke-up with huge hives all over my legs and starting to go to the rest of my body. I went to the doctor that day and was told I was having an allergic reaction to the drug. That same day they did a blood draw and put me on a new medication called Verapamil. I have now been taking the new meds for one week and today I received a call from the doctors office and they are making me come into the hospital for "stat" blood draw, because my kidney functions were not good. I truly believe this is due to taking the lisinopril. I also had other side-effects in the muscles of my legs and was also very fatigue. I'll let you know what the results are. Sounds like I got some kidney damage from taking this drug! If your currently taking this drug, I would highly recommend getting off of it immediatally!

I began taking lisinopril in late February and unfortunately had developed mononucleosis at about the same time (just my luck). As some may know, adult mono can be more of a chronic situation that lasts several months as opposed to a short, severe illness when you get it as a teenager.

Anyway, I was completely attributing all of my symptoms to mono, but I think I may have been allergic to the linosipril and did not get alarmed since with mono you need to endure very severe symptoms and essentially grin and bear it. Has anyone else here had an allergic reaction to the drug but kept on taking it? Just curious. A few of my symptoms that were not entirely indicitve of mono included swollen neck, face and throat as well as a reddish discoloration of the face. Again, all of this happened shortly after starting lisinopril, but I just persevered since I thought it was mono. I wonder if maybe I got over the allergy since I am still on the drug although the symptoms have largely dissipated...

I started taking Lisinopril on May 17th,2003, it took til May 23rd,2003 for the allergic reaction of Angio-Adeenma (disrtorted facial figure- elephant man-like) to kick in. Doctors informed me during my 5 day hospital that this is a likely side effect with no time signature! So I am no longer on that and no med was prescribed to replace it.

I'm a 30 year-old female. I've been on Lisniprol for almost four years. And these four years have been the worst of my life. I've had test after test and seen dr. after dr. trying to figure out what is wrong with me. I have a terrible cough, my face gets hot and I get the chills (kinda like the flu), I'm very achy with pain in my legs and back, headaches, confusion, memory loss, sensitivity to heat/cold, swollen throat, very tired. Chest pain and trouble breathing (wore a heart monitor and had stress test, but everything was normal). Heart rate is rapid. Gained a lot of weight in the last three years. Everything test-wise always came back normal. Saw an OB/GYN to see if I was premenopausal; nope. Had an MRI and CT for the backpain; nothing; Labs done to rule out throid disease; nothing. Saw a neorosurgeon for possible nervous system disease from so much pain. Nothing he could do. Went to allergist for possible allergies; nothing. Oh....but wait..I go to the dr. today to tell him I'm still not feeling better and that I ran acrossed some information on the web about possible side effects of the bp pill Lisinopril and that I still recall that I started experiencing side effects about the time I started the medication of 10mg. Then when he increased it to 40mg, I really felt terrible. He looked back through my labs and saw that an allergan level had been very high in my CBC. He said, "bingo, you must have an allergic reaction, or maybe a perisite". He said this CBC is done on a normal blood test and will show elevation if the body is trying to fight off an infection or has an allergic reaction to something. So...went off the BP pills today. I'll keep everyone posted. My email is ****** if anyone wants to email me with similar situations.

I've taken lisinopril for a couple years. A few weeks ago I started having problems with swollen throat and nasal voice. It quickly progressed to swollen/numb/tingly face, tongue and lips. Also, the skin on my chin and around my mouth is somewhat bumpy as well (numerous small skin colored bumps) and sometimes the skin in that area will feel like it's on fire.

After a couple weeks of these symptoms my doctor decided it was a reaction to the lisinopril and took me off. She thought it would take 2-3 weeks for the medication to get out of my system (I see from some of your emails that that number may be a low estimate). It's been almost 2 weeks and I see absolutely no improvement (may be somewhat worse actually).

I've seen some warnings that lisinopril may make a bad allergic reaction more likely. What I'm starting to wonder is if I have a different allergy (food, etc) that lisinopril may have been making worse. Has anyone had an experience like this? My doctor doesn't want to do anything else until I hit the magic 3 wk point, but I'm completely miserable (difficult to talk or eat) and can't imagine spending many more weeks like this. If she's on the wrong track then we'll be starting over at that point...

I began taking lisinopril approx 4 months ago. They first thing I noticed was erectile disfunction, within a weel or so. I am also on diazide and alegra 180 for Meniers disease.
My BP came down from a high of 180/120 to 118/90 area.
So, I was willing to put up with a few side effects. After 2 months thing went bad. I began to suffer from depression, I have never had any problem wth it before.
New side effects began to show up:
1) chest Pain.
2) shortness of breath.
3) Increase in alergic reactions.
4) blurred vision in left eye.
5) feeling of a lump in my throat all the time.
I talk with my doc, He does not seem to worried to till I get to the last one. Then he got concerned, I was having an allergic reaction.

BE AWARE....IF YOU GET PUFFY LIPS, SWOLLEN TONGUE OR A LUMP IN YOUR THROAT CALL THE DOC NOW!!!!!

THIS STUFF IS POISON IN MY OPINION

Help!! Has anyone experienced severe swelling of the lips? (Appears to be a type of "cheilitis" and some on-line info ties ACE inhibitors to cheilitis.) This started about 11 hours ago - Dr. treated as allergic reaction with steroid pack and antihistimine which was supposed to produce near immediate results. IT'S GETTING WORSE BY THE MINUTE!!! My lips are about to split open they're so big and the swelling has also extended to the lower jaw area.