Lisinopril and hair loss

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

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

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

I am 26 years old and have been taking 20mg of lisinopril for over a year now and have just gotten the side effects the last 3 weeks! I now have fatigue, light headed, dizziness, fever, and dark urine! Does anybody know whats going on or have the same symptoms! Please reply!

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?

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".

Exhaustion, joint pain, headache, ankle swelling, shortness of breath, persistent (cold) sores in my nose…

I am 52 years old and have taken Lisinopril for approximately 7-8 months. During the past two weeks, the majority of my joints have suddenly begun to ache. My fingers, especially index fingers, and one wrist are extremely uncomfortable. Other than the side effects listed in the comments on these pages, has anyone lost their eye brows? Sounds crazy doesn’t it but I first thought it was a side effect of hormone replacement therapy. I gradually stopped taking the HRT (ugh!) but continued to lose my eyebrows and now I notice my eyelashes are thinning. After trips to two dermatologists, neither had an explanation and both denied the HRT drug would cause the hair loss. I was and am extremely frustrated. I am not sure what made me research side effects for Lisinopril again but I finally saw something on an internet site saying that ONE percent of people could suffer hair loss. I’m sure my doc will be disappointed that I want off this medication. The only meds I take regularly are Lisinopril and Dyzaide (low dose). I have taken the Dyzaide for several years.

I also take the lisinopril 60mg .1 40mg and 1/2 of a 40mg .I have noticed hair loss .I am female 55 years old .Has any one else noticed these side effects .........Cheryl

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!

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.

OMG! It's 4:45 a.m. where I live and I just found this site...what a Godsend. I thought I was going crazy! I've had almost all of the symptoms everyone has listed here the worst being insomnia,racing heart rate(at night)and feeling like I can't breathe! WOW! I have been on this med for almost 4 years now(10mg/day,down from 12mg/day with HCTZ)and I think it's time to STOP! I've honestly felt so horrible that dying didn't sound like such a bad idea...hate to say that but it's true. My Doc. does not think that this drug is causing these problems and just wants to give me more drugs! I'm a 36 year old female that used to be the picture of health...not anymore. I'm going to stop this medication a.s.a.p. and would urge others to do the same...the side effects are worse than the so called 'cure!' Please email if you'd like to discuss further. Thanks to everyone! You have saved me!

I have had a loss of body in my hair since I've been on this drug. I haven't noticed a significant hair loss (i.e. clumps falling out or lots of hairs on the sink after I blow dry) It's been three months since I began taking it. I can't say that I'm happy about this, and I'm concerned that others are experiencing the same sorts of symptoms not listed on any information I've been given. I'm in my early 50's as others have noted in their postings. My sister suggested that I do a search for this symptom, and I'm glad she did. I have an appointment with my doctor next month, but I think I'll call him on Monday morning and ask him to consider alternatives. Perhaps this generic isn't the best for me.

I've been on Lisinopril/HCTZ about 2 months, and am losing lots of long hairs. Will my body adjust to the medication and grow new hair? Does anyone know if total baldness will result? (82 year old female) My blood pressure is now excellent!

I also experienced hair loss while on Lisinopril. I noticed it about six months after I began taking the drug. There is visible thinning in the front, and my hair generally feels thinner all over. I always had a thick head of hair. Since I am now in my early fifties, it's possible that it's normal balding, but I don't think so since it happen all of a sudden. My doctor also said he never heard about hair loss being a side effect of Lisinopril, but numerous people have reported it on several websites. I really think the side effects of many drugs occur much more frequently than the doctors and drug companies like to admit. Obviously it would be bad for business if they were honest about it.

I've been off Lisinopril for about a month but haven't noticed any improvement in my hair so far. If it does come back, I'll update this post.

I'm writing for my mother. She was on 20mg of Lisinopril and her doctor insisted her violent coughs was from her asthma. Being an asthma sufferer her whole life and knowing the difference, she insisted it was not. He told her that this drug does not cause violent coughing as she described (but later admitted otherwise). I saw her in October and then in November for Thanksgiving and it looked as though she aged ten years! She was coughing badly, throwing up from coughing so violently and was white as a ghost and was extremely tired from not getting enough rest (from coughing). Everyone in the family told her to STOP taking the medication. She stopped taking it the day after Thanksgiving. It's been about five days and she is still coughing, although it's not nearly so bad, but she's taking pain medication (Hydrocodone) and I believe this narcotic has helped to subside the coughing, plus allow her to sleep, but masked the effects of the Lisinopril. Please, anyone, that has discontinued this medication, can you tell me how long to expect this drug to be out of her body? This has been an absolute nightmare and I'm so worried about her! Please email at ******

BEEN ON LISINOPRIL BOUT 2 YEARS NO SIDE EFFECTS UNTIL 1 MONTH AGO HAIR LOSS, EXTREME ITCHING, RASH ,RED BUMPS ON TRUNK ANY ONE OUT THERE WITH THESE SYMPTOMS

I quit taking Lisinopril after a splattering of red angenomas developed on my trunk and extremities.Within a week after stopping, I started to feel pressure and slight dull ache in my ear. Has this occurred with anyone else on this medicine. The ear doctor says the ears are fine and the dental xray showed no infection in upper or lower teeth. It has been almost 3 months and the condition is getting better.
maxine

I've just started my third month on Lisinopril. The cough I assumed was either caused by either my recent exposure to airbag powder in an accident or allergies that had to go untreated since most medications don't work with HBP. Sometimes I just can't stop. I'll be fine and then the tickle starts and then the hacking. At night, I try to sleep with my head elevated so I don't gag. I insisted on a followup visit with the prescribing doctor because of the strange tingling I was experiencing in my hands. Wake up fine, take Lisinopril and by lunch time my hands felt like they were "fuzzy". Skin tingling like from cold, but hands actually warm. Doctor didn't believe this to be side effect of medication, but it looks like from the comments I've read it could be. I've also experienced the tiredness or lack of energy, but then sometimes at night it's hard to sleep. I really would like to stop the Lisinopril (10 mg dose). I didn't like what I read about Diovan either. Anyone going holistic?

HI,
I stopped Lisinopril since "August 1st. It took until last week for the heart palpatations to go away. For the last week I finally can sleep a full night again without waking up with a racing heart beat. I feel so much better, it is unbelievable. The hair loss people mention, which I also experienced, is caused by the rise of lithium levels, which in turn messes with your thyroid function, this causing dry skin, flaking scalp and hair loss! I just knew that I never had dandruff in the summer time, but never connected this with the hair loss and of course lisinopril.
Good luck to all of you!

I am a 50yr old female... was prescribed Lisinopril 10mg for bp.. after a few weeks I started getting a funny hard to explain feeling with my heart beating a certain way.. don't know how to explain it.. fluttering maybe.. feel it pounding. So after I realized it could be this pill I stopped it.. I moved out of state from my dr... and not ins. yet.. however I watch my bp and when it got alittle higher I thought I will take 1/2 one.. which takes BP down to normal, but after doing this here and there.. that same feeling in my heart started..
Has anyone experienced this feeling?? I don't seem to have the other side effects Thank God.. but this one scares me as I don't see anyone mentioning this feeilng..

I am so glad to see all these postings about Lisinopril! At least I now know that I'm not alone...and maybe I'm not crazy! My hair is falling out by handfuls every time I shampoo it. I thought it was my scalp psoriasis causing it, but now I know what it is! I even wonder now if the Lisinopril has brought on the scalp psoriasis! The weakness in my neck is driving me crazy along with just a general feeling of all-over muscle weakness. Feels like I can't hold my head up all the time! I can't get enough sleep, and feel tired all of the time. My vision is blurry, and I do have some tingling in my arms and fingers. My concentration is shot, so is my memory! I'm quitting this stuff and going to try the diet/exercise routine and see if that does the trick. Never had high blood pressure until I gained this extra 30 lbs. so maybe losing it will put me back where I need to be. Oh! did I mention that just the thought of sex is more than I can take, let alone trying it!

It's 3:00 in the morning and I am awake again convinced I must have heart failure. I've been on Lisinopril for several months and recently have experienced swelling of the tongue, throat, and face. I also have hair loss, shortness of breath, fatigue, and tingling in my arms. Until I found this site I had no clue as to the cause of these symptoms. Actually, afraid to go to the doctor for fear that I had some potentially fatal heart condition or worse. Now, however, I'm making an appointment tomorrow right after throwing those pills into the trash. I think I can sleep now. Thanks for input.

This is an update. I have stopped Lisinopril 4 days ago. By the way I forgot to mention that I did experience hair loss after being on 20 mg since February, Hairloss started end of May, which of course made me anxious to the point I did not want to take a shower anymore or wash my hair!! So this is when I started on Zoloft, which I have taken for the past five years, but only 25 mg every other day. This was keeping my worrying in check and was all I needed. But since February after starting Lisinopril my friend mentioned that I seemed to start worrying about every little thing and she does not even recognize my usual upbeat self. So then when the hair loss started I thought it was all in my head and went to the counselor and upped my Zoloft to 100 mg a day. Then in June my doctor said 10 mg of Lisinopril would be enough and sure enough, my hair loss stopped after about two weeks. I thought it was due to the Zoloft, that I just did not count my hair anymore, but now reading all the side effects I realize that I was not crazy at all! What a relief! So since Monday no more Lisinopril and Zoloft down to 25 mg for the past week. Last night was the first night I only woke up once really short, noticed a rapid heart beat, but only in my heart area, not all over my body, and went back to sleep. I also experienced on Lisinopril those vivid dreams which I woke up from and felt emotianally drained. I do take a Multivitamin, garlic pills and twice a day a table spoon of apple cider vinegar. So far my blood pressure is about 125 over 80 and instead of waking up with a pulse of 95, it went down this morning to about 84. I feel more energetic and in general way more upbeat. I hope I will keep feeling better and I am glad I did research on all those medications. It made me want to come off all meds and try natural approach, diet and more exercise.
I will keep you updated.

What about hair loss? I am not a hairy person, but I used to shave under my arm every now and then. Relax, I didn't need to. Now I have to draw on my eyebrows to make them even, again I never had a unibrow. The hair on my head grows, but not a lot.I won't discuss anything else. Maybe this is just old age ;-)

Hello. Also experiencing hair loss with lisinopril. Does anyone have information on the restoration of hair after quitting lisinopril?

I have been taking Lisinopril for about the last maybe 8 to 10 years. It started with 20 miligrams and has now gone to 40 miligrams. Recently my pharmacy change the manufacturer of their Linsinopril. My face is extremely dry, as well as my hair has dried out so bad, that I am beginning to loose my hair. I honestly just received revelation of this on last night, as I could not figure out why I would stay so dry. I try to drink lots of water, but it seems that I am literally drying out. And to be honest my hair has had so many issues since being on this high dose of Lisinopril. Has anyone experienced dry skin or hair, resuluting in hair loss or extremely dry skin?

hair loss and weight gain

I have been using Lisinopril for about 2 years. I have some patches of TOTAL hair loss. One side behind and over my ear is about the size of a golfball (round) and the other side is only about the size of a quarter. I've also noticed other small round thinning area. One other area of my body is completely void of hair in the same quarter round size.

I've been taking everything imaginable to boost my immune system and it isn't changing. I eat healthy and I'm NEVER sick. That's what makes me think my immune system is fine... or at least ok.

Anyone else having these symptoms? Maybe it's time to change BP meds. It isn't really dropping mine much anyway.

THANKS EVERYONE for your input. My NEW Dr. switched my B/P med. to Lisinopril several months ago. He said it was a great med. and it was better than what I was already taking. I have been feeling terrible, experiencing:
Severe coughing causing vomiting at times
Hair loss
Back pain
Neck pain
Constant bad lingering headaches the time (got one RIGHT now)
EXTREME fatigue
Can't hardly sleep due to coughing all night
I have been having to RUN to the bathroom at night to muffle my coughs or vomit, because I am constantly waking my baby coughing so hard. I am sooo glad I finally did this research. NO MORE LISINOPRIL FOR ME!!!!!!!!!

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 have taken Lisinopril for over a month now. I have been miserable. It wasn't until a couple of days ago when I surfed the internet about what other patients were saying about this medication and I decided to take half a pill yesterday and today. The side effects subsided some, not all the way, but manageable. I was getting this weird pressure in my head and eyes; neck, shoulder and back pain; hair loss; and it felt like I had a lump in my throat. I've gone to an psychologist, opthamologist, cardiologist and have a future appt. with a neurologist. After reading what others have felt, I emailed my PCP today and told her that it's the Lisinopril that's causing all my pains, stress and miseries. I told her that I want to change meds, but instead she suggested to get off the meds and see how I feel. I also have vitamins that we ordered last week in her office so I will be taking the vitamins 3 x a day. I'll keep you posted.

Ive also had some hair loss. Not like yours in clumps, but gradual thinning since i started taking this drug. Im young and can see a bald spot on the back of my head. My Dr. tells me he has never heard of Lisinopril causing hair loss, didnt order any tests or anything.

If you find any info on growing hair, let me know.

Hello,

I've been using Lisinopril 10MG for about 9 months and have had many of the listed side effects. I wondered why I suddenly developed a dry cough when I am not in general a cougher. Now I know. Also hair loss that has me worried, I thought it was from hair dye, it still could be or maybe a combination. Also blurry vision, almost like a film over the eye, and a floater. I am an avid reader so this frustrates me. I'll talk to my doc because I don't feel very well on this med in general. I tire very easily.
Thanks for the great input. :-)

I have been taking lisinipril 40mg per day for over three years and have experienced hair loss. Anyone else out there ?

My Name is Bill, I have been on 20 Mgs Lisinopril for one year or more. I'm 56 years old. I have "no" alergies and I do not smoke. But I do sometime smoke a cigar for fun. I don't have coughing problem or hair loss, My sexual performance is the same as it was when I was 21 years old. But not as erect. I do have a problem with sore Joints that takes months to heal. I sometimes feel my legs buckling. I got off the drug for a week and my knees healed. Could this drug slow the healing process ?? Oh, by the way, my erection power returned and I had a wet dream. (not trying to be perverted Just informative) My BP without Lisinopril, 190/30. With, 180/21.
I'm not a heavy drinker and I take "no" other drugs. Only a multimin per day. I eat only healthy foods and My memory is exceptional. I'm back on Lisinopril until I find a substitute. Because of this drug I'm unable to perform my favorite hobby, Bowling. Let me know if someone is experiencing the same symtoms.

Not been here for a couple of months and very interested to see all the new postings, some quite alarming. Still on 5 mg. a day. Re: Rosemary's post. Yes, I too have a high reading at the doctors - we usually have a joke about it now (but not to the level of yours Rosemary). My decent quality monitor at home, best reading last week 124/72. About the worst 140/85. Have had to take another Zantac (ranitidine) tablet today - due to excess acid - cannot source this down to any particular food I've eaten over the past 12 hours or so. Hair loss? Still out on this one as I tend to have thicker growth in Summer and thinner in Winter (in UK). The annoying thing is that I've been on Lisinopril now for 18 months as a purely preventative measure. But this is a Catch 22 situation now. If I stop taking it, in my innermost thoughts I would think: "am I shortening my life, or my good health? Should I carry on with these tablets for the sake of my wife and kids?"

I am 49 years old and I have been on lisinopril, 10 mg for almost a year and half. This past summer I developed psoriasis of my scalp and then a few months later I had hair breakage on my bangs and I have severe hair loss in the back of my head with bald spots. I had no idea these were side effects. I also have hypertension and nervousness along with the hair loss side effect. To make matters worse, when I was about 6 or 7 years old I had Sclerderma and was treated at the Childrens Hospital in Boston. I am very concerned about all these side effects and it also states this drug treatment may not be suitable for you if you have Sclerderma. I do not have it any more, however, when I did have it when I was young it did leave a small bald spot in the back of my head, however now the bald spot has spread to a much bigger area. Additionally, my hair is very dry and it was always oily. I would like to know if my hair will grow back in the areas where it has left bald spots once I get off the drug. I found all this out today because I just went on line and looked up hair loss and this awful drug popped up.

i just made the latest entry (about the coughing) and don't want to sound like a hypochondriac but i am realizing some other effects that i've had the are most likely associated with this drug that i had never had before taking it. hair loss is one of them. but also about once or twice a day (usually about 8 hours after taking it) i get this overwhelming urge to throw up, i don't have nausea but for about 5 minutes my mouth will water and i have to fight it to not vomit. this is difficult because it sometimes happens at work and i have to use all my power to control it. i take a cough drop and try to concentrate on other things. also, the glands in my throat/neck are huge golf balls and can get very uncomfortable.

I have been on Lisinopril for 8 months, 10 mg a day. I have been showing signs of hair loss in the bangs area. I have seen a doctor and dermatologist and they both think I'm over-reacting. Who would have thought I would have to choose between a full head of hair and normal blood pressure.

I have experienced many of the side effects I have found on this site. Head and neck sweating, waking in the middle of the night with difficulty breathing, fatigue!!!!! to the point where I have to take naps in the afternoon!!..I am only 43. Has anyone experienced hair loss? I have a significant head of hair...or I did have. It is coming out in handfuls now. I am on 20mg of Lisinopril recently increased from 10mg. The hair loss began with the lower dosage.