Lisinopril and cough

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?

finally went to my Dr.on (8/25) and told her I wanted off of Lisinopril. She agreed that it WAS definitely causing my cough. Also, she found that my heart rate and pulse were extremely LOW! She called it low in her office (60) but at home it is 41. I always was a normal 70. She didn't say BUT I am blaming it on the Lisinopril as well. I am hoping as the Lisinopril leaves my system that the pulse and heart rate will increase a bit. She rechecked my thyroid also but I don't have the results yet. I am now on Nadolol (only been on for 2 days) so I don't know anything about it yet. My Dr. takes it for migraines and likes it quite well. I'll try to keep everyone posted.

Do any of you take Lisinopril by itself without a diuretic like HCTZ (hydrocortothiazide)? I got dehydrated 2 days ago & doctor has cut my HCTZ in half-- I felt light-headed, dizzy, pounding heartbeat like I was having a panic attack. I've been on this lisinopril/hctz combo for 3 months. I don't have any of the adverse allergic reactions (rash, itchiness, swelling) at all; nor do I have the cough thing at all. But weakness, chest-pounding heart, dizziness, fatigue all coming now daily. I wonder if our problem is the HCTZ, so is anybody on lisinopril WITHOUT HCTZ?

I was relieved at first to be off atenlol(?) and hoping lisinopril would control my hpb. Instead, the dry, choking cough, up all night was not the worst for me. I had CHRONIC diarrhea, I mean constant. If I ate, I had immediate diarrhea, if I drank something, water, coffee, whatever, I had diarrhea. The doctor kept wanting me to get a colonoscopy but I felt it was the lisinopril as I knew when it started. You know we all know our bodies better than the doctor so I insisted 2 weeks ago that she give me something else. I am on Norvasc now. I took the last lisinopril on a Friday morning and by Sunday morning the diarrhea had stopped not to be experienced again to date. Thank goodness. That sure drains you quickly, being tired besides not always convenient to find a bathroom. I could not eat lunch at work because of the loud rolling stomach and gurgling noises my stomach made every time I ate or drank anything, IT was not only a worry but it was horribly embarrassing as I share an office and the quiet was broken with my stomach noises, just awful. I had the hair loss, aching in muscles , couldn't walk upstairs without being out of breath not to mention my throat would get extremely dry and my voice would crack, love to sing in church and can't do that anymore. I was a mess and still have not gotten my voice back. Anyone else have these problems?

Doctor just changed my prescription from Atenolol to Lisinopril. After 2nd, 3rd day of taking it, I developed the cough in the middle of the night. He said that this was one of the side effects, so, I wasn't too concerned. But then, after another couple of days, started feeling the dizziness, nausea, lack of appetite, and the FATIGUE! Decided to call him after taking 6 of those pills, to tell him about my concerns. He said to stop taking it. Prescribed Diovan now. Still feel like I've been run over by a truck, but
SO happy to have found this web site. I hate that so many others have been affected by all of these symptoms, and, affected for so long. Just made me feel somewhat better that I was not the only one feeling this same way. I thought I was losing it.

Body rash, all over, currently on several medications I have stopped all my medications one by one. Still have the rash and the last medication is Lisinopril. I can only guess the VA gives it out because it is cheap. Also has the cough. Did anyone get a rash from Lisinopril?

I HAVE BEEN TAKING LISINOPRIL FOR 2 MONTHS. IN THE BEGINNING IT WAS GREAT AND I FELT GREAT. NOW I HAVE HAVING THAT HORRIBLE HACKING AND GAGGING AND CHOKING. I THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD CHEST COLD. THEN IT NEVER HEALED! I AM THANKFUL FOR THIS WEBSITE AND THANKFUL IT HAS NOT BEEN YEARS LIKE OTHERS.

I have been taking HCTZ for 8 years due to having problems with swelling after having my first child. A good while later, I was diagnosed with pre-hypertension but having irregular heartbeats. My cardiologist added Lisinopril.

I had the same problem with cough and feeling like something was stuck in my throat. I went to an ENT and they could find nothing wrong - but I've been taking major amounts of Musenix for years to help clear my lungs. The feeling that my throat was scratched or something stuck in it have never gone away. Why didn't any of my doctors put two-and-two together???

It just clicked in my head recently that I had also started to have hair loss around that same time I started taking HCTZ. I had a lot of hair so it wasn't that much of a concern for years but is now more of an issue. I spoke to my internist 2 weeks ago and she thought it may be the HCTZ. She said to stop taking it that night. I questioned if I should taper it off and she said no reason to wait. (No mention of the Lisinopril and hair loss).

Two days later, I could hear a crackling sound in my chest/lungs when I opened my mouth. I called the doctor and her assitant said to let me know if it didn't get any better. Two nights later, I was extremely restless and coughing. I couldn't get a breath. Lots of crackling noise - fluid in my lungs. I had to stand up and work hard to get deep breaths - all night. Around 4 am, I decided I better take the HCTZ or I was going to die - so I did and the fluid started to leave my lungs and I was better by noon the following day.

I want to get off both of these medicines asap - I don't want to wind up a bald, dead 41 year old women leaving behind two young children and a husband.

Anyone else have similar issue when stopping HCTZ? What results have you had with resolution to hair loss after getting off the medicine?

Oh, also have had a headache going on 10 days for the first time in my life. I think it was from quitting the HCTZ "Cold Turkey".

I have been on Lisinopril for many years, and always had a small cough.
This summer the cough and clearing of the throat became worse. I mentioned this to my chiropractor and he said my body has built up a resistance to this drug and greatly affecting my throat to the point where I may not be able to breathe. There have been many times, this summer, when I couldn't seem to get enough air, like I couldn't breathe deeply enough to fill my lungs. Then at times it would feel like a feather was in my throat and I would have a terrible coughing spell. I have sensed that my memory has been effected and I have had more periods of depression.
This is not the medicine for me.

Similar story here. I tolerated the drug for a bit, and it worked great for my blood pressure, but then my throat started to feel scratchy and odd (especially in the evening and at night), then it worsened into a cough, then it worsened to hacking so bad I would almost vomit. They switched me to a different drug today.

I took Diovan HCT for years without any side effects. We must do mail order with our health insurance and the providers website said that Lisinopril was an alternative to the Diovan that was available as a generic and therefore a lower cost. I spoke with my Dr. about it and she advised me of the "cough" and said it wasn't exactly the same but since I wanted to save as much money on scripts as I could I tried the Lisinopril. I took it for a couple of months and noticed being more fatigued and weak. Finally I got to the point where I was feeling like I was hungover 24x7 and started looking to see if there was any side effects from this different med I was taking and saw all the symptoms I was having from fatigue to palpitations to nausea to muscle weakness and cough. I went back to the Dr. and got back on Diovan and everything is much better now. My wife was on this medicine too for a while and she noticed the same thing but didn't put it together with the medicine. There should be some kind of advisory with this stuff or it should be taken off the market.

I am taking 5mg of Lisinopril daily..the first 2 weeks was okay but then I developed a yeast infection that I can't get rid of. I stopped taking Lisinopril for one day and it seemed like it eased up...but I was afraid to just stop the Lisinporil so I started again and the infection is horrible. Doctor says it's not from the pill but I've had it ever since I've taken it. Anyone else have this problem??

I've had some issues with Lisinopril also, headaches, back aches and some dizziness. Just wondering if is normal for a drugs to have all these posting of people having issues ..maybe is only 1% of the population and I am one of the unlucky ones?

Husband taking 10mg. He is having dizziness, confusion, memory lapse, depression, short-temper, severe leg cramps, chills, loss of appetite, constipation and severe stomach cramps. We are discontinuing this medication. He thinks it's literally killing him like being poisoned.

Here is a follow up- I have been off of the Lisinopril now for about 6 days. I am slowly feeling better and getting energy back. I still have some residual muscle burning, bouts of fatigue, bouts of depression. The shortness of breath is getting better also.
The irregular heartbeat is almost gone and the cough is now only occasional.
I have been taking vitamins such as vitamin c, multivitamin and drinking lots of water.
My memory and loss of words is getting better also.
I am forcing myself to exercise and lose weight. This med almost killed me.
I just pray that I don't have any permanent damage.
Also significant is the symptoms got worse when they were manufactured bu IVAX.

Well, my first posting didn't take for some reason. I have been taking L. for about 5 weeks. I had thought that I had developed a full allergy and had begun suffering from early menopause until I read these other entries. The hacking gagging cough and clear mucus from lungs?throat . The fatigue is constant and the depression is to tears about twice a week for no known reason. I didn't have these symptoms when I was on Benicar. Guess what I'm switching back to.?!!

I don't seem to have any choice other than continue taking Lisinopril, its the only blood pressure med I can afford, but taking it and coughing until my ribs ache is getting old. Sore ribs, hacking cough, blurred vision and nightmares...hmnn...or a stroke. There's got to be another option. Garlic?

I have been using Lisinopril for about 4 months. About two months ago, I noticed a rash, itching, and hives. After eliminating soap, changes in diet, weather, etc. I believe that Lisinopri is the cause.

I also noticed a cough and scratchy throat, although not as serious or pervasive as with other posters.

I stopped taking the medication 6 days ago. The side effects have not cleared.

My doctor was supposed to call me back a couple days ago, but never has. Go figure...

oh yea...i forgot to mention dry eyes and a hacking cough that was severe but has since gone away, really bad pain in legs, elbows and joints and toes that feel broken to the point that i recently had to get on pain meds, over counter meds didn't do the job. the more i read about lisinopril the more i'm convinced to start a half dose tonight. i'm going to experiment by tapering myself off and if i live through it i'll let you all know if the side effects leave.

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.

I am so glad I found this web site-I really thought I must be dying, I feel like crap. I was diagnosed with hbp, borderline, but also diagnosed diabetic at the same time, dr gave me metformin, simvastatin (for cholesterol) and the lisinopril, i was told they all work together and are prescribed together, well i never felt so horrible i have been taking them since the end of May, I have a dry tickle cough that mostly happens when i'm laying down at night but get some coughing bouts that bring tears to my eyes. I have this horrible left front neck pain i thought was a sore throat, but it doesn't hurt to swallow -just pain and pressure like a constant dull toothache. i have a headache and sinus ache that feels like pressure that doesn't ease up even with Tylenol, i took motrin one day & the pain went away but my feet swelled up. now i have had a pain in my right kidney (back) for the last 2 weeks and i can hardly walk when i rise. I get cramping in my fingers and toes. I am very short tempered and have depression to-so many side effects in such a short time---July 14 i have a doctor appointment, but i'm not taking anymore after today.

I went over to Lisinopril when I transfered insurance carriers recently. The new carrier was going to charge the max allowed for using Altace and Lisinopril is way cheaper. So I went back to Lisinopril and have been on it for about a month. When I first tried it many months ago I had a sick gall bladder that has now been removed. The side effects at that time include a rash on my chin, burning urine and crotch area. Within two days of stopping, the symptoms were gone. Since I don't have the gall bladder problem I decide to try it again to save money (ha). After a week I notice my BP was increasing. I was taking 10 mg so I went up to 20 mg of Lisinopril and that didn't work - my BP kept going up! I keep talking more of the stuff and my BP keeps going up. This morning I took 40 mg and my PB was 200/90 and I suddenly thought it's the meds as there is no reason in the world that my BP should be going up crazily like this. Then I found this side and several folks mentioned their BP had gone UP. No more Lisinopril for me. I'm so glad I found this site! Thanks all for being independent thinkers and sharing your stories!

Update and a question:

I posted about a week ago about some of the side effects I was experiencing from lisinopril:

-lightheadedness (including one fainting spell)
-some discomfort and tightness in my chest
-difficulty breathing (when this happened, I would force myself to breathe deeply and usually found that I was breathing OK ... just felt like I wasn't always getting enough air)
-feelings of panic
-muscle pain in back and neck
-diarrhea

I stopped taking it a little over week ago and my doctor wants to start me on diovan. After my experience with lisinopril, I want to wait a little while before starting a new med.

So my question is, how long does it take to get lisinopril completely out of your system?

I've felt some of the same side effects recently (slight dizziness, some discomfort in back and chest area). But that was after working in the Texas sun for a couple of hours in the morning. (I've heard that lots of sweating and dehydration can increase some of the side effects of lisinopril.)

Can anyone tell me your experiences after getting off lisinopril?

Dry gagging cough, weight gain, charley horse in calves, but worse of all when I use the bathroom I have a terrible burning sensation in personal area of my body. Am using baby wipes instead of TP. The burning subsides for a while but of course is back when I have to use bathroom again. I think the diuretic in this pill may have some bearing on this symptom. I was checked for a bladder infection and it was negative, although a minute amount of red blood cells were found in my urine. I too, have had the very low BP readings, 90/68, etc. The first time this happened it frightened me so bad I got up and ran around our house and took BP again and it had risen within the normal range. I was on Hyzaar and my present doctor could not understand why I was on such a strong BP med. So he changed my to Lisinoprol HCTZ. Anyone having the same effect?

Ive been taking Atenolol 100mg for years but it wasn't enough so my doc added Lisinopril /Hydrochlorothiazide 10/12.5mg......great at controlling my bp but the side effects aren't so grand. Recurring cough that sometimes triggers the gag reflex, especially late at night while lying down attempting to sleep. Also my libido has been cut in half. Time to go back to the doc.

About 1 1/2 years ago my allergist recommended I switch BPM from Lisinopril to Atacand because of congestion problems associated with Lisinopril. I made the switch and had no problems with Atacand other than my co-pay was considerably higher. Because of this I asked my family practice MD to switch me back to Lisinopril because I remembered it worked okay. However this time - a couple of days after the first dose of Lisinopril I developed flu-like symptoms (aching, congestion, fatigue). I thought I was coming down with the flu AGAIN. After about three days I started having chest pain, a headache that wouldn't go away, blurred vision, dizziness, shortness of breath, very shaky, weakness, couldn't sleep. I thought I was on the verge of a heart attack at times. The fatigue and weakness worsened. I often felt that I couldn't get off the couch or out of bed. My legs felt like weights. It wasn't until I checked out the side effects on this website and read the comments of other users of the drug that I realized what was most likely happening. Needless to say, I called my doctor and asked to be switched back to Atacand. I'm more than willing to pay the extra $'s to feel better.

I am a 56 year old woman and my doctor started me on 10 mg Lisinopril in March. Within 24 hours of starting it I developed a very annoying cough. At my next doctors visit she told me my bp was not down enough and wanted to increase the dosage. When I asked her if the cough could be from the Lisinopril she gave me some samples of Benecar HCT. The only problem I had with that was muscle weakness and some palpitations that went away after a few days. When I got the prescription filled I found that my insurance didn't cover it and it was quite expensive so I called my doctor back and she wanted me to try the Lisinopril again at 20mg and see what happened. That very same night the cough came back with a vengeance, along with dizziness. I decided to try to tough it out but after ten days now the cough is so bad it's unbearable. It keeps me up at night and I cough till I gag and cry. On several occasions I have coughed until I vomited. I couldn't take it any more and stopped taking it two days ago. I called my doctor today and she told me to stop taking it and now we're going to try Norvasc.

HELLO; I'M A 57 YEAR OLD MAN THAT HAS OVER THE PAST YEAR WENT FROM A 20mg TABLET OF LISINOPRIL TO A 40mg TABLET 2 MONTHS AGO. I ALSO TAKE 100mg OF ATENOLOL WHICH HAS DONE A NICE JOB. THE 20mg LISINOPRIL JUST MADE ME VERY TIRED ALL DAY AND OCCASIONAL CRAMPING ON THE INSIDE ARCH OF MY FOOT. WHEN THE DOCTOR PUT ME ON 40m DUE TO AN INCREASE OF WEIGHT, IT WAS ABOUT A MONTH INTO TAKING THE INCREASE THAT I EXPERIENCED SOME VERY NEW SIDE EFFECTS. DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING TO THE POINT YOU ARE SCARED YOU HAVE SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS. ALSO A DRY HACKING COUGH THAT WON'T GO AWAY. WITH DRUG COST THE WAY THEY ARE I'M WAITING TILL I SEE MY DOCTOR PRETTY SOON AND GET OFF OF THIS MEDICATION. PEOPLE REACT TO DRUGS DIFFERENTLY AND DOCTORS TAKE IT PERSONALLY WHEN SOMETHING THEY PRESCRIBED IS ADVERSELY AFFECTING THERE PATIENTS HEALTH

I am a 48 year old female. I have been on lisinopril for about 7 months. When I first started taking it, I experienced seasonal allergy symptoms. I considered allergy tests, etc., but decided to tough it out. The cough started and persists. I have had the symptoms and they have finally subsided. I went to a N.D., and am taking herbal supplements along with a decreased dose of the lisinopril to wean me from it all together. I have had a horrible rash on the side of my face and neck for months. If I go outside, with a hat, long sleeves and sunscreen, the rash gets itchy and my whole face feels like prickly heat. I am an outdoors person. Today is the first day I haven't taken my decreased dose and I don't feel very good. I hope this is the right thing to do.

I'm taking 10mg. of Lisinopril currently because I'm borderline HBP per my Dr. I'm tired all the time, and fall asleep at the drop of a hat. I will watch tv and by 8-9pm I'm out and my family can not get me to wake up and go to bed. I can hear them, and respond most times-but I just can't get up. Now my left hand and halfway up my forearm started feeling like it fell asleep last night. I don't cough much, but my throat and mouth is always dry and feels like I need a drink, I'm also having trouble having a bowel movement and I am more short-tempered than normal. I'm done with this medicine. I'm working on losing weight, working out, and staying away from junk food. Thanks everyone.

I am a 62 yo female who was prescribed Lisinopril in February. Within a week I had such a continuous horrible dry, hacking cough that I trouble communicating with others. This cough was particularly bad during the night. I have had to live with water and cough drops as my constant companions. I can honestly say that I have only slept through the night once from February until last night. My PCP finally decided that I did not have a sinus infection and that a codeine based cough medicine was not the answer and switched me from Lisinopril to Avapro on Monday, June, 2nd. According to my PCP it could take up to a week for the cough to go away.

I have been on Lisinopril 20mg.for 4 years now. At first I just noticed fatigue and a lack of motivation to do things. A year later, I started having chest pain, fast pulse up to 130/min. and activity intolerance especially after meals. I went to my Dr. and he put me on a beta blocker to lower my pulse. At first it worked and I felt slightly better. Now I have all these symptoms again together plus I have gained 22 pounds from the activity intolerance and the beta blockers. I went to my Dr. this week and told him I am going off the Lisinopril with or with out his help. He reluctantly agreed and lowered my dose.It is very important to wean off this med and not stop taking it suddenly.I am weaning off the beta blockers too. He has given me HCTZ to assist to lower my B/P while I wean and to help lose weight which I am motivated to do. Wish me luck!

After a lifetime of good blood pressure, I was so reluctant of surrendering to the fact that I needed to be on blood pressure medicine but finally did so for the fear of a risk in having a stroke. My doctor put me on Lisinopril about 6 weeks ago. The good news is that my blood pressure is now 120/60 HOWEVER....I have had the most unusual, annoying, dry, itching cough that simply stops me in my tracks!!! It just sneaks up on me without warning and I suddenly feel like a lint ball is stuck in my throat and I can't swallow and the tears pour down my face. I cannot even walk into the post office without a bottle of water in my hand for fear of an attack coming on. The only relief I can get is to drink water. It really hits me at night when I am trying to sleep...so guess what I DON't get much sleep!!! I went thru 1 gallon of water 2 nights ago!!! Along with this condition, I have also felt extremely irritable!!!! I did have enough sense to know that the level of anger or the amount of tears I was experiencing seemed to be over amplified. Thanks to my good friend for caring enough about me to discover this web site so I can discontinue this medicine. No more high blood pressure but I may just choke to death!!!

46 year old male...In advance of thyroid surgery my BP went up to 155/100 with spike a bit higher. Lisinopril at first had no effect, so we switched to Toprol. The Toprol gave me really bad side effects so we switched to HCTZ and Lisinopril. Finally dealing with the emotional issues attached to surgery and some other issues that I hadn't faced up to for years (along with dropping 25 lbs) has my BP under control. In fact, it was too low on my last appointment so we halved the Lisionpril dosage to 10mgs (with 25mgs HCTZ). I hope to be off of this drug by the end of the summer...the only side effect I dealt with was a bit of a cough for a couple of weeks, but it went away with time. Just hang in there and stay positive...focusing on this stuff only makes it worse

I was prescribed Lisinopril on 2/2008 to protect my liver, after taking I started with a tickle in my throat that would turn into one of those coughs that would make you cry which would occur at least 3 or 4 times a day. Then I would have pain in my neck, arms around my ankles and knee joints. Now I have developed a cough that is uncontrollable and happen all during the day and night I could not get any sleep, have bag under my eyes. I went to see my doctor and he told me to take robitussin DM, which did not help. The cough was so bad, until it made my chest and stomach hurt. It made me feel as if I had to throw up. I went to see my doctor today to tell her that I was not going to take the LISINOPRIL anymore, but when I told her about my cough, she said it was from the LISINOPRIL and not to take it any more.

I forgot to ask her was any of my other vital organ affect by this drug.

I started with 20mg of Lisinopril this winter. Within two months I was coughing. Within a month I was diagnosed with pneumonia. Antibiotics were prescribed and eventually the pneumonia symptoms went away, but I still have the cough. It is dry, deep and constant. I cannot sleep at night. I have a rash along my neck and on my scalp. I can't focus and I've gained weight. Food tastes funny and I have a metallic taste in my mouth sometimes. I have lost so much sleep I can hardly function. The only way I can sleep is to take a Benadryl at night, but that is not good restful sleep. I taking myself off of it starting tomorrow.

decomposition of lisinopril in acidic medium so narrow absorption window.

Hi Gang,
Im on 20 mg of Lisinopril in the morning and 25 mg of atenolol at night. The Lisinoril is for my blood pressure and the Atenolol is for my anxiety attacks that i have. O.o But im still have anxiety attacks, and i don't know why. So ive had all the test, heart ultra sound, ekg's, blood work, treadmill ekg, halter monitor for 3 days. The works basicly. Im 40 and yes over weight. But i passed all the test with flying colors. Doc said he only ever wants to see me again, if im Really sick. Anyone know why im getting anxiety attacks (mine are rapid heart beats, and feeling like fainting) all of a sudden. When i started the lisinopril i had a minor cough, but not any more. Otherwise ive been pretty good with both meds. Just don't know what is triggering the anxiety!

I have been on Lisinopril (20 mgs) for around 6 months and although it has reduced my blood pressure to a 'normal' rate, I have been suffering from swollen hands, particularly my right one, and they become uncomfortably hot and red looking. I sometimes find it difficult to sleep at night. Does anyone have a similar symptom? I am so worried about it, I have actually had a blood test by my doctor and am still awaiting the results to see if I have some form of arthritis. The only other side effect that I have noticed is the irritable cough, which also wakes me up during the night.

I'm a 44 year old female, and I have been taking 40mg. of lisinopril for over a year now. I also take omeprazole 20 mg. (a sub for prilosec) every day. Before taking lisinopril, I did have high blood pressure, but since taking this medication, I have had more problems than that. I have an irritating cough all the time and phlegm in my throat so thick that I feel as if I am chocking to death. I also have a severe rash all over my body and on the bottoms of my feet, and on my hands. I am depressed all the time, have no interest in sex whatsoever, and basically feel like crap all the time. I have a very bad pain in the left side of my neck that I know is not a result of sleeping the wrong way. I have to say, I never felt this way before taking this medication, but today I got to the point that I wanted to look up side effects to see if what I'm taking is hurting me. After reading some of these posts, I believe I know what my problem is. My husband was also on lisinopril, but 20mg and had such a terrible cough that we thought he had pneumonia. He is off the medication now, and his cough had disappeared. For me, the rash, and depression is the biggest thing. I have decided to take myself off this medication on my own, and try to find another way to deal with my high blood pressure. If you know of any herbs, and/or foods that help with blood pressure, I would love to hear about them. Thank you all for the information you have posted here. I'm sure it will help others think about what the doctors and pharmaceutical companies are trying to do to us. Seems the more medications they prescribe, the worse side effects we endure. Thanks again everyone!

Am I the only one who has gained a lot of weight while on Lisinopril? I have gained over 40lbs in 3 years. I have also experienced odd muscle cramping and have never made a connection to this and Lisinopril. The pain in my ear, side of my head, and my jaw was unbelievable. ENT dr thought it was TMJ or nerve damage. He was not able to really pin down the exact cause. One month later I was bed ridden with severe back pain, which I have never had before. MRI showed nothing. Headaches are daily, cough, leg cramps, chest pain, decreased sex drive, and definitely have feelings of depression. I have never made the connection between the changes in my personality, health, and lifestyle to this medicine; but now I have. I will be immediately contacting my doctor to discuss alternatives. My BP when I started was 150/90 and now is 112/70. Please let me know if anyone has also had the weight gain like I have experienced. I know I am going to have to have hard facts to show to my doctor. Thank you.

I am so glad I found this web site because I knew my husband was going through changes and I knew something was wrong. He was having mood swings, talking crazy like he was going to dye and we were going to be harmed if we left the house. It was very strange and not like him. He was very impatient and he had a cough like something was in his throat. He would cough really hard. I know at times he had a very distant look and a look of confusion. I asked him what the doctor gave him for his blood pressure and it was Lisinopril. He has been using this medication for about three weeks and I told him today was his last day taking this medication. We are going to use apple cider vinegar to maintain his blood pressure, fruits and vegetables and regular exercise and see an alternative medicine doctor.

Hello folks - thought I would post here as well.........I am on 20MG of LISINOPRIL 1 time daily. I notice during regimented times of the day I get the side effects. I take it when I wake up in the morning. I have been on this for about a year now...........it has lowered by HBP from 150's/80's to about 130/80..............regular........I am a 37 year old Male

Problem is the multiple side affects:

1. Tiredness - comes and goes all throughout the day - almost like I could just close my eyes and go to sleep anywhere.........feels like someone threw sand in my eyes.......
2. Shortness of breath
3. Sore Muscles - everywhere - it doesn't discriminate!!!!
4. Pain in the chest mostly the left side but sometimes the right
5. Headache in one spot in the head - doesn't last long
6. Wake up often in the middle of the night with dead hands or legs
7. Sometimes I just have a total memory blank on things I should know right away - usually only occurs when I'm getting tired.
8 Of course the panic from thinking something is wrong with me!!!

Anyone else with these set of symptoms????

Drop me a note!!!!

Update to my prevous 3/31/08 posting: I stopped the Lisinopril 2 weeks ago & resumed my previuos med. (Ziac), which gives me no problem. All symptoms are gone but the cough is not quite completely gone yet. The strange thing is the higher the dose my doctor prescribed, the higher my blood pressure went. It nearly landed me in the ER! It immediatly dropped to previous levels upon stopping Lisinopril. Has anyone experienced this? Since my BP was a little high in the morning, a different DR. increased my ziac doseage and now I am Fine. My original Dr. still does not believe my problems are from lisinopril and insists I did not take it long enough. I say a month is long enough for me to know if I am better or worse. I do not intend to see him again.Thanks for reply to previous posting.

i was on the mediactions for less 7 days. during this time i developed the cough and in addtion had muscle aches. it appears it also effect my kidney fuction . my doctor did a blood test after a few days of therapy and my doctor said get off the medication immediaelty as i was unable to tolerate the therapy. it has now been 5 days since i stopped the treatment and only now in the afternoon of the 5th day is some semblance of normacly coming back to my body. this has effected me exactly like lippitor only i hope as a result of my doctor's careful monitoring perhaps not as much damage has been done to the interal muscles and other organs.

I have been on Lisinopril for several months and my blood pressure was 170/104 . It is now 104/77, but I do have side effects that my dr. says it isn't from this drug. 1 is asthma and a cough and headaIches. Lightheaded and fatigue. I am now on asthma medicine an inhaler. I was taking 10mg but it was increased to 20mg and with hydrchorothiazide 12.5mg. I was depressed on the first 10mg I don't feel that now. I am also now taking zocor. I don't sleep as well. I am 57 year old woman, I other wise had been active enjoying life.

I have been on Lisinopril for about 2 and 1/2 months for borderline hbp. About 135/85. I have two cats which have always have caused some allergic reactions but I had that controlled with an air purifier. I really haven't had any bothersome symptoms until about 3 weeks ago when I noticed that I was wheezing during the day (while away from the house, so I couldn't blame the cat allergies) and I was getting very short of breath doing everyday tasks and just talking to people. Then I started noticing a strong post nasal drip and a lot of congestion during the night. To the point where I sounded like something from the Excorcist, my breathing at night was rattly and wheezing. It suddenly occured to me that all of this could be developing side effects from the Lisinopril. But I didn't want to give up so I started taking Claritin at night and in the morning to relieve some of the exasperated allergy symptoms. That worked for about a week, but then I would wake up coughing and finally last night the wheezing got so bad that I thought I would need to go the ER. Today the coughing started pretty badly and just taking my dogs for a walk was taxing and I started getting really tired and developing a headache (which never happens to me). After researching Lisinopril and now reading everyone's posts and symptoms and obviously experiencing this terrible cough and wheezing, I have made up my mind to go off this terrible drug. I can't live with this. I am only 42 yrs old and I feel like I am an 90 year old with emphysema. Bye bye Lisinopril.

Right after I started taking Lisinopri in May 2007, I had a major flare-up of my Psoriasis. I have had Psoriasis for over 35 years and it was only in certain areas, now it has completely spread over my entire body. I also have constant ringing in my ears, never thinking it could be related to the Lisinopril. Sometimes it works to lower my blood pressure and other times it seems not to help. Occasionally I experience dizziness. These are all symtoms I never had before, I am not overweight and do not smoke. I had been healthy except for borderline hypertension prior to taking Lisinopril. I am not taking any other medications. My dermatologist is pressuring me to start Raptiva and I have agreed, not realizing that maybe just stopping the Lisinopril might ease the symptoms of my psoriasis. I just started researching Lisinopril in the last few days when someone I work with casually mentioned that there may be a link between Lisinopril and Psoriasis flare-ups.

I was on Lisinopril for a while until the dry hacking cough drove me crazy. It got so bad I had trouble driving. I would start coughing severely and could not stop. Had trouble with bladder control due to coughing. Went to my Urologyst, he mentioned coughing and Lisinopril. I looked it up online and immediately stopped taking it. Cough stopped in about 2 weeks. Husband has been on it for about 6 yrs and 3 wks ago started having SEVERE muscle cramping on back. Drs. give him muscle relaxers and pain killers. One of his toes is twitching (mine used to do that too) and seems to be confused and forgetful. I just told him he's not taking it any more. Lisinopril is pure poison!!!!!!!!!