Lisinopril and kidneys

I don't know if the lisinopril is the cause but I have had may things going on and something caused them. My feet and legs itch until they feel like there on fire. My hair seems to have just died. It's crisp and breaks off when I comb it. I have used all kinds of products trying to strengthen my hair but no luck. My pinky finger and the ring finger on my left hand have been nump for several months. When I comb through my hair I hit a spot that shoots pain to my right ear. My doc said the numb fingers was from proping my elbo on my desk. He said it would go away if I propped it on something padded. So for several months now I have used a foam pad about an inch thick to prop it on. There still numb. And the muscle in that had has weakened. In Aug. I was rushed to the hospital. my potassium was very low. My colon was infected. My kidneys were infected. My temp was 104. My whole body was shutting down. Im still taking the lisinopril 20/25. I am calling my doctor tomorrow and tell him im not taking it anymore. Im so glad I found this site. Now I at least have an idea why im falling apart.

I greatly appreciate the comments posted on this site; I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes and because I had not seen a doctor in > 3 yrs was prescribed Lisinopril to protect my kidneys. I had a concern about taking HBM because my average is 118/78 – 120/80. My prescribed dose of Lisinopril is 10MG but I cut the pills in half because I was extremely leery of possible side effects, doing so my BP is around 117/74. I will keep watch over every change that takes place in my body; and protest if things appear seriously out of sorts; thanks again for your comments, they are invaluable.

I am a 60 year old male. I have a bad heart, type 2 diabetes, damage to my heart from a heart attack in 2006. i have a pacer/defibrillator in me.
now after reading all these post i am wondering. i have been taking this medicine since 1996 when then i was told i had my 2nd heart attack and i did not know i even had my first. This medication was given to me for either an alfa or bata blocker, was on 5mg.. now i am on 2 1/2 that i take at night. i take a total of 19 pills a day and 5 shots of insulin, i have bad teeth and now the rest of them have to come out and i have to have bone mass ground down just to get some false teeth. wow i am in great shape huh..lol
well since the little history on me, this is what i am going thru now. i wake up with this deep cough and it gets to a point were i am gagging, after i get the what i call the hair ball out i feel a little better, then i have to keep blowing my nose to get the mucus out of my nasal cavity, I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE THIS MORNING WITH THIS and i did die 4 times in 3 days in 2006 when i had this last heart attack. I see my caro Dr. on the 11th of this month, and i am gonna ask to go off this crap. my bp is normally anywhere from 90/55 to 114/65. and before i was taking this medicine and my attacks in 96, my bp was normally 124 over 70. now i can understand that this medicine is suppose to help protect my kidneys, but the way i am dry heaving and coughing one day they are gonna with everything else in this body cavity come out thru my mouth.
i am horrified off all the ppl and post i have read about this little blue pill i take and it is not for keeping wood either, that floated down the river. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS MADE A POST ...YOU HAVE MADE ME QUESTION THIS MEDICATION AND I AM GOING TO DO MORE AND MORE RESEARCH ON ITS SIDE EFFECTS.

I am 48 years old and have been on Lisinop/HCTZ for about 6 weeks. From the onset of taking this medicine I have experienced swelling in my legs -- from knees to ankles. Also my stomach has swelled. Now I am experiencing muscle cramps in my legs that are bothersome when I stand up or lie in bed. I never had this on my other BP meds, but my doctor switched me to Lisinop?HCTZ. The doctor thinks it could be my heart, lungs, or kidneys causing the swelling.
HELLO, take me off this stuff first!

Have been taking Lisinopril 10mg for less than a year and without positive effects at all. My doctor figured it was a low dose anyway and spiked it up to 20mg and I have been so sick it makes me not want to live anymore. From unexplainable constant nausea and vomiting up to several times per day to stomach wrenching pain and electrolyte imbalance manifested in my kidneys and all the way down my legs by constant fasciculations (involuntary nerve firing, very painful indeed). Needless to say I stopped the medicine without even consulting my doctor. I have never been so sick in my life!

I started taking this garbage in May of 2009. I would go to the Dr and my BP would be 180/110. Let me say im still on Lisinopril BUT stopping tomorrow. Let me tell you my story.

35 year old male, diabetic and HBP. After years of not taking care of my self i went to the doc, i started taking Lisinopril. With in weeks i got a hacking cough and my BP was still crazy high. They up'ed my dose to 20MG and then hell started.

Constant blinding chest pain, strange electrical shocks in my back and head, went to ER and was admitted, they said i may have had a PAST hart attack Weeks of in and out of the hospital a 3 day stay in the cardiac ICU! Then i had a CT angiogram with dye and that reviled MY HART WAS FINE. I still had this horrible pain in the chest and legs and hands and my gut, electrical shocks and night mares and freak out for no reason at all. Problems with erections and slow hart beat. Unreal panic attack that i think i was about to die or GO insane. The past few days i have had intense pains in my upped back and gut. I went to have some blood work done to see how my new diet is doing. All the numbers were amazing, BUT my LIVER IS HURTING! Now i do not see a doctor for 5 day to review it all BUT i know this pill has mad my life hell for the past 2 months. MY LIVER WAS FINE BEFORE i took this pill.

I was able to make my diabetes VANISH with diet, i must try that with HBP. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PILL.

Hi. I posted two times in June, took lisinopril 2 weeks in April and was having side-effects 7-8 weeks out. I began a simple detox (lemon in my water, lots of water, more vegetables), took some supplements/vitamins and the racing heart, tingling, chest pains diminished greatly. My blood pressure became near normal on its own over May/June but shot back up sky high the day I went back to the doctor on June 22!! (of course). It is slowly normalizing again. My bloodwork showed high liver enzymes and that is why I believe that it took so long for the drug to clear my system. Lisinopril did not cause the high liver enzymes as I had that before the drug was prescribed. It is processed mainly by the kidneys so could cause problems there.

I believe that my body was in trouble and the elevated liver enzymes and bp were the first signs. I think the lisinopril took me over the edge. I had one very bad panic attack at night this week with racing heart, horrible chest pain, left sided tingling and bilateral hands/feet tingling. I really thought I was dying. I had never had these symptoms before starting that drug but now I think that maybe I was in a hypoglycemic state. All this to say that, in my research, I came across books by Dr. Sandra Cabot (Unlock the Secrets that Keep You Fat, The Liver Cleansing Diet) that explains a lot of the problems I am having (which many of you have mentioned also). These are systemic, affect the vital organs/functions of the body (ability to lose weight, high bp, achy joints, etc), and are pre-diabetic/pre-liver disease states. The book gave me a lot of hope because we can get our bodies back in working order through proper diet, exercise, and supplements. Dr. Cabot has a great website too. Google her and check it out.

Just found this blog. I was on 10 mg Lisinopril for a few weeks for moderate BP. After about 2 weeks I started getting muscle aches cramping at night in legs and arms. I am also in physical therapy for ankle tendinitis. Thought pains were from that but they did not go away and my arm pain continued through day. I never had arm cramps before. I told my Dr and they said they had not heard of this reaction to the med but said go off of it for 5 days and then back onto see what happens. I stayed off for 2 weeks. BP started to creep up again. I had in the meantime decided to start breathing meditation to see if I could go a more natural way. I have only done breathing techniques for a week so decided because BP was gong up would try taking 1/2 dose of Lisinopril one am at 5 mg. I was ok till later in evening, pretty wiped out. I thought that was no big deal. But when I got up next am and took another 5 mg, I had diarrhea and kept peeing all day. I am not on the diuretic version of this. It was like my kidneys went overdrive. I could hardly move my legs and arms, VERY weak muscles, very sleepy and the cramping was starting to come back , though not as severe as before. I also have palpation and pain in left chest, seeming more like nerves than heart though. I usually push my physical therapy and can do anything they say but could hardly do anything and therapist said quits and told me to call doctor asap. I left them message on their phone with symptoms and have not heard back from them today but I am not taking this med again in the am!

Wavy feeling of anxiety in my head (like I used to get from codeine). Fuzzy feeling in big toes. Dry, choking cough when I lay down at night. Now, I am morbidly obese and have bad acid reflux. If I don't take Prilosec every day, I cough. I also have sinus/allergy problems. So I take Claritin-D. And for health benefits, I take baby aspirin. So I'm wondering if it is the combination or if I am getting ready to have a stroke. It's my own fault for being so overweight, but it is frustrating. I also have swollen ankles and legs. And lately I feel like I have to pee too frequently and that I'm not quite able to finish. This worries me because I was feeling like this before I found out I needed surgery to remove an ovary due to a very large cyst. I wonder if I am getting another one.

I was prescribed Lisinopril by my doctor. I am a diabetic so my doctor told me this medicine would protect my kidneys(although my kidneys are fine). I was prescribed this medication at the end of February beginning March of 2009.About two weeks into taking the medication I got the first reaction I started getting these rashes that would come and go,then my lips would tingle and get numb then they would instantly swell at that point. When this first happened I thought maybe it was food I had eaten. I bought Benadryl and after a few hours it went away. (second attack) A few days later the symptoms worsened the rashes got worse and the swelling in my face got even more worse. Still thinking it was the food I ate I took more benadryl. This time the swelling lasted overnight the next morning I was fine.(third attack) About four days after that I was sitting at home talking with family and my face got very itchy around the lips my chest started to feel tight then instantly my lips got gigantic. My family members got scared and advised me to stop the benadryl and call my doctor fast. That night when I got home I called my doctor they were closed but the emergency nurse told me to come and see my doctor the next day. When I saw my doctor he immediately told me it was the Lisinopril that was causing the attacks and that I should discontinue using it and that my next attack may be fatal but I should be fine, keep taking the benadryl he told me. I got home and immediately trashed the Lisinopril. Just when I thought it was all over a week later (fourth attack) I get home after work watching television all of a sudden I get this terrible itch all over my body like bugs were on me, I hopped in the shower got done still this terrible itch all over. My lips tingled like crazy all of a sudden my body was full of bumps/hives everywhere my eyes were swollen shut, throat felt like it was closing up, couldn't hardly breathe, my lips were bigger than ever before. I was rushed to the emergency room, before I left I had taken 4 benadryl 25 mil tablets when I got to the emergency room I was seen almost immediately they pulled me in a side room gave me 2 shots of benadryl a shot of another medicine don't remember the name,a shot of pepcid,plus two pills I can't think of at the moment. I was in the ER for five hours waiting for the swelling in my body to go down,well the hives went away but my lips were swollen for at least 72 hours. I was diagnosed in the ER with Angioedema. I saw my doctor within 24 hours of my ER visit he prescribed me an epi pen he also made me get a life alert bracelet and told me to always keep benadryl with me. He told me the medicine should be out of my system it shouldn't happen again but just in case it does I should keep the epi pen handy,the bracelet,and benadryl always beside me.Well since that visit I have been taking benadryl every single day because I keep hive/rashes, now the edema is spreading it's not just the lips I get this painful swelling in different spots on my body. As I am writing this @ 2a.m I have to take off work today June 3rd 2009 because my lips are so swollen they feel like they are about to burst. I can't afford to miss all of these days of work and I definitely can't afford an emergency room visit which are $150.00 each visit so I have to wait and see my doctor @ 9:15 a.m. I refuse to go to work in this condition these breakouts are affecting my life for the worse. This is just a brief synopsis it is really much worse than this though. I am 31 years old and when I have these attacks people look @ me frightened like i'm contagious or something.I went from being only allergic to morphine which gave me hives once, and that was minor to having allergic reactions almost everyday along with a lot of other symptoms to this drug. I really hope something can be done about this. PLEASE TAKE THIS HORRIBLE DRUG OFF THE MARKET!!!!

I am a 54 year old male in relatively good health. I was perscribed 5 mg. of Lisinopril by me Endocrinologist because the medicine I am on for type 2 diabetes is causing minor problems with my kidneys. I was told that Lisinopril which is used to lower blood pressure and be used to protect the kidneys as well. I began to use Lisinopril and immediately began to feel pain in my elbows. The pain became debilitating, I could not lift our garbage can to dump in the dumpster without extreme pain. I called my Endocrinologist within the first week of feeling these symptoms and she was surprised about this side effect. She asked me to discontinue using the drug and call her back in three to four days to see if the pain has subsided. If so, she will prescribe an alternate drug. At this point it's been four days and the pain has not subsided. How long will it take for the symptoms to clear? I'm afraid to call my doctor and tell her the pain is persistent making her rule out Lisinopril as the reason. I have decided to no longer take this drug regardless. I have also had some minor pain in my shoulders and hands.

53 year old, otherwise healthy Type1 diabetic. HCA1 scores are typically 6.5-6.7. I lead an active, athletic lifestyle, with no circulation issues. Prior to Lisinopril, I have never experienced allergic responses to meds, hives or any similar issues. I have never experienced blood pressure issues; but Doc suggested Lisinopril for preventative maintenance, protecting kidneys. I took Lisinopril 5 mg. once daily, for almost 5 months without issues. In the middle of month 5, Urticaria appeared around mid-calf area, accompanied by a nerve-racking itch. In the next 2 weeks, itching started in hairline of scalp, moving spreading all the way down to ankles. I was almost 2 weeks into an elimination diet before discovering on a blog that urticaria was a possible side effect of Lisinopril. Discontinued Lisinopril 1.5 weeks ago, several days after starting 30mg Cetirizine & 30mg Loratadine . Itching is still present; but all urticaria have subsided, save for scalp. Menthol has been the only effective comfort for the itching.
Prior to taking Lisinopril, my only urticaria experience originated from exposure to poison ivy. I am convinced Lisinopril is the root cause.

My experience with Lisinopril is brutal! I'm 37 years old and was prescribed this drug for high blood pressure. After 2 yrs. on a 10 mg. dose per day I started having numbness in both of my arms I also had sharp pain shooting down both arms at night to the point where I couldn't sleep.And when I did fall asleep I would just wake up an hour later in tremendous pain. Ive been to three doctors. They tested me for carpal tunnal and told me I had it. But didn't schedule any plan of action, so I thought with some rest it would go away but it didn't It got worse. Then I started to have severe back pain that went clear through to my So the doctor wanted me to get an ultrasound of my testicles to check for testicular cancer. The test was negative. Since the pain was on the right side in my lower ribcage area they then thought it may be my kidneys. They then sent me to a urologist who wanted to go up my penis to scope my bladder with a camera and check for bladder cancer. Which turned out to be a very very painful experience. There was nothing wrong he said. During this time the pain was as bad as ever. Then they wanted to do exploritory kidney surgery on my right kidney. I was thinking my god am I gonna die.....I went through the surgery and the doctor said there was nothing wrong.I could not believe I was in this much pain and they couldn't find anything wrong. I thought I was dying for real. Then I decided to go on web md and try to find out anything that it could possibly be. I couldn't find anything with all the symptoms that made any seance. A few months went by with no relief... I decided one day to google my medication (Lisinopril) and joint pain, w/ arm numbness well. This site popped up and I started reading and Im glad I did. I believe that for the past year that I thought I was dying and no one could tell me why is because of this toxic poisons pill Ive been taking for two years is the reason for all of it. Ive spent thousands of dollars, had two surgery's ,went through all this pain all because of a little poison pill for blood pressure. I have flushed my pills and I,m never taking the drug again. I warn anyone who has high blood pressure if your doctor mentions the word Lisinopril tell them no!!!!!!!!! It is poison for the body.I believe it would killed me if I hadn't stopped taking it and not one doctor mentioned it may be the pill I was taking everyday for my blood pressure.

Im 54 and already on atenelol and moduretic for Hypertention, I also have type 2 diabetes ,my Doctor started me on Lisinopril he said to protect my Kidneys. I woke up the 2nd day of taking these pills 5mg and the back of my hand and arm was red. I was very tired and didn't want to do anything. This morning , the 3rd day I woke up feeling fine and ate 1/2 choc cookie with walnuts on top, Ive eaten walnuts all my life with no problem, suddenly I felt my lips and face swelling and tongue, and my hands were burning really bad and I developed large welts on my legs and arms I had heart palpitations and got really scared. I ate some cherrios and drank some water and calmed down and the symptoms went away as fast as they had come. I found this website and will be calling my Doctor today.

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....

I just posted and forgot to add regarding the kidneys/adrenal glands. I asked an OBGYN (not reg doc - won't go back to her again) about this med and she said it was pretty much benign to the body. She stated though that if I did want to become pregnant to be sure to get off first. I was curious then and asked exactly what Lisinopril does to a fetus. She stated - pretty much the kidneys don't develop at all during pregnancy. I then retorted - "that only makes me wonder what this med is doing to MY kidneys now!" She just smugly had nothing to say. You cannot tell me that this is not hurting people. I am going to lose weight now and get off all meds. I only take this and I know with diet/weight loss and exercise it's possible for me. Besides sometimes when I check my BP it's high still and other times, like the day of surgery, it was lower than normal.

Just had laprascopic surgery to remove a borderline ovarian tumor the size of a 6-7 month baby yesterday. I've been taking Lisinopril-HCTZ 10-12.5 for about 2 years now and have posted on this site before regarding my symptoms. Since this med works on the kidneys/adrenal glands and adrenal glands regulate some hormones I am wondering now about the possible connection between this med and my sudden cyst/tumor. The tumor was actually my left ovary enlarged to that size! Although benign, my very first symptom of this cyst started exactly when i began the med. It grew pretty rapid over a two year period. I have found no proof or mention anywhere and every doctor looks at me like I'm crazy, but my entire life I have NEVER had issues with my menstrual cycle or even much pain. After I began this med, I HAD to use ibuprofen every period. I began my cycle at 11 and not until 34 did I have issues - same time I began Lisinopril/HCTZ. Are their any women who are having female problems since taking this? Of course, the heart palpitations, arm and leg aches (like those of growing pains when you were a kid), dizziness, anxiety, depression, irregular sleep habits that I cannot break, increase appetite for mostly meats and proteins, some mild hair loss, abdominal cramping/tingling, hands and feet numbness, shoulder/neck pain, overall achyness, sudden/rash emotional extremes, even suicidal thoughts I know are side effects of this med.

i got a bad sinus infection for the past month after starting lisinopril, on many meds for this, i switched from avapro to lisinopril as i wanted to join the walgreens plan for cheaper drugs, the doc put me on lisinopril instead after i sent him the walgreens list of available drugs that they use, the avapro was not on the list,, ive been to my ent and allergy doc for this sinuse thing that is well over a month now and getting better, but i have spent more $ for drugs to combat this infection that r not on the walgreens list over $300 spent out of pocket but with a discount for switching to the lisinopril from the avapro that ive been on for about a yr,, it was not worth it,, BUT my cardio doctor thinks it ws just a coincidence that i got the sinus infection about the same week that i started lisinopril, he asked me to tell my ent and allergy doc about this, the ent thinks i shld go back to the avapro if ii feel that it may have started the infection with the little cough, i have not talked to my allergy doc about it yet, has anyone felt they got these symptoms with lisinopril????? i am still taking it all thru this sinus thing, MRI and 2 inhalers and antibiotics, narcotic cough med, sinus wash and musilex r doing ok and on the mend, i have no other symptoms and on the 5 mg , what do u all think? and anyone else have a sinus thing going on when starting the lisinopril??? D.

I have been on Lisinopril for 2 months. About 2 weeks ago I started noticing small cough and I am dizzy off and on. I am a borderline diabetic which means I am not on medication for it. Let me tell you, Lisinopril suck! I feel like crap. I am always dizzy, I have to have things that have high sugar because my sugar level is always, always dropping. I feel really bad and it is getting worst. As of tonight, I will stop taking Lisinopril. I am due to see my doctor on Wednesday, Dec 17, 2008 and we will have a long talk. He is testing my blood. There is no way I will continue on this medication feeling the way that I do. I should have done research on the drugs like many of you did. My doctor assured me that Lisinopril was a good drug and it will help me with my kidneys since I am a diabetic. I believe drug has cause me more problems than what I had prior to taking it. I pray that my dizziness will stop and he will have to put me on something different. I am not over weight and I try to watch what I eat but, I will change my diet drastically and do whatever it takes to stay off HP drugs. This is really bad. I will come back with an update of what my doctor and I discuss. I thank all of you for sharing your story. I never knew that a drug could make a person feel like this.

Doctor prescribed Lisinopril along with Metformin about a year ago , he told me the lisinopril will help protect my kidneys from the diabetes along with reducing my high blood pressure. I started with cramping and shaking which left me bed ridden for days! I blamed the metformin, thinking it was reducing my bodys sugar level. In this time I started having these pulsating, center of chest, waves of severe hot pain, I went to his office and he put me on an EKG machiene. Everything was fine. I have these bouts every so often, along with lip numbness and severe pain that feels like my right arm is caving in with muscle spasms, my veins stick out in the effected arm along with a numb cold feeling!(goose bumps too?). My physician told me it may be GERD.He put me on protonics which helped for a while, but it is back! I also get edgy,have trouble staying asleep and walk around like a zombie in a fog all day long. I started getting strobe light migraines without the pain recently, wondering if anyone else has had these symptoms from Lisinopril? By the way my blood sugar is in control. Also on allopurinol with no problems.

I have been on Lisinopril for approx 5 years, during a routine year end blood work-up, I have developed a problems with my creatine levels 1.48 and Glom Filt Rate, Est 37. My physician had me do a 24 hr urine for further testing but insisted that I no longer take the Lisinopril. Several of the tests have come in and he advised me that I have only 50% blood flow to my kidneys. It appears to me that the Lisinopril has caused some kidney damage. I also have a great deal of muscle pain, but do to my age (55 years) I thought it was jus a part of the aging process. What do you think?

Hi there. Im a 25 yr old fem im type 1 diabetic I have been on this medication for 4 days and i could tell its causing problems

My side effects include a lot of mental issues
anxiety and depression
the second day i took this i went to work and thought everyone was mad at me because they were on the phone when i said hi or because they were looking at a paper when i was talking to them

the next day when i went to pick up my kids i felt like my mom and my sister were ploting against me

while my husbands at work im feeling more needy and i call him wanting him to stay on the phone with me when i know he cant

im also experiencing memory loss i cant remember getting off of work i remember going down stairs but like it was something i dreamed and it was foggy and details went clear

also conversations with my husband are like dreams and foggy

im usually a detail freak and can tell u exactly what u said if u mis quote your self

im calling my doctor i thought it was jst me but im sure it has something to do with Lisinopril

Thanks Guys!!

I have been on Lisinopril and a diuretic for about 1.5 years -- started with 5mg of lisinopril. At first had a slight cough, but went away. In Feb 2008 routine blood tests were done and my ALT - liver enzyme was slightly elevated to 36. ( last test in 2003 was normal) --- had the test repeated in Aug 2008 and the ALT was up to 41. Doctor was not too worried, not very elevated - but I persisted as to why and she sent me for an ultrasound that showed all was normal for my liver, spleen, gallbladder, kidneys. My pressure was up a bit at the Aug appt - so she increased my Lisinopril to 10mg. I had another liver enzyme test done beg of Oct 2008 and now the ALT is up to 66. I told her the only difference is increasing my Lisinopril and that must be the cause for elevated ALT levels. She is not sure -- I am now being referred to a specialist -- but told to stop taking the Lisinopril for 3 weeks and they will see what the levels are. Have only seen a few mentions of elevated liver enzymes as a side effect -- has anyone else experienced?? My AST levels are normal.

My husband (57 years old) started Lisinopril in March of 2007 for High Blood Pressure and he's never been the same. At first, we didn't connect the symptoms but now I am convinced this drug caused his problems. His symptoms include loss of memory, can't concentrate, can't retain anything, short tempered, depression. At times confusion or unable to grasp anything requiring multi-tasking. He had a loss of appetite where in lost 25 pounds in less than 6 months. He described months ago that "his head just doesn't feel right". When asked...do you have a headache...he'd reply.."I can't explain it...it just doesn't feel right. The depression has lead to another drug "Lexapro". This drug interferes with concentration too!
Prior to taking Lisinopril my husband was running his own business and working a full time job he's had for years. Within 6 months, our lives changed drastically. I know 2 other people experiencing the memory loss, can't concentrate, can't retain symptoms around the same age as my husband... all taking Lisinopril.

All of this has been weighing heavily on his mind because his mother has been diagnosed with Dementia/Alzeheimers at age 74. Guess what...she has been taking Lisinopril for years and years and has been treating for depression for years and years....any connection here? This drug has been around for many years and it seems like every elderly person is taking this for High Blood Pressure. Could this be a culprit to Dementia/Alzheimers? A reoccurring theme I see amongst all of these side effects is "depression".

Of course when we discussed these symptoms with his Doctor...we were pooh poohed with "I've never heard of these symptoms in 20 years of practicing". Well, he needs to do some research! My husband quit taking this drug on Sept 12th which takes 2-3 weeks to get out of your system. I noticed recently he didn't struggle at all at the ATM machine. I'm hoping this is the culprit as we are now in the process of getting a second opinion to determine if he may be in the early stages of Alzheimers. We pray that he is not! Get this drug off the market!!!

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

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

I am so glad I found this web site!

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

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

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

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

wow im just got put on lisinopril added to my metformin for my type 2 ,im 25 years old and got diagnosed with type 2 1.5 years ago since on metphormin i have had a few moments were i thought i was having a heart attack because of the tightening in my chest so i went to the ER and the put me on an machine and they said my heart was fine i just have chest pain and they left it at that and sent me home telling me i have chest pain i have this same pain almost everyday and its not bad just annoying cause it worries me and my wife no that the doctor just put me on lisinopril i thing im gonna stop she put me on it to keep my kidneys from going bad, but i did some research and it says nothing about that ,this lisinopril looks to be the next big med lawsuit

I am diabetic, and was put on Lisinopril to protect my kidneys. Keep in mind that I am of healthy body weigt, and walk 5 miles a day almost every single day. Since I started this drug (20mg once daily) my sugars have skyrocketed. I have never had a fasting much over 90, and now I am waking up in the 140's and 150's. I also have a dry hacking cough is about to put me over the edge. I am frustrated to say the least. I want to try natural medicine, but am scared. I have 2 small children, and want to be around for a long time.......

I have been off of this drug Lisinopril for about 2.5 months and am still havening side effects not as bad but elevated heart rate and dizziness, tired all the time not back to myself yet. DOES ANYBODY know how long this takes to get past and what can be done to help it out of the body am getting sick of this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Tom

My doctor (PA, actually) prescribed Lisinopril a few weeks ago because I'm diabetic and she said it would help protect my kidneys as well as lower my moderately-high blood pressure. Things went well for a couple of weeks, but the past few days have been unbearable. Not much of a cough, but I feel terribly weak, exhausted, and I can hardly think at all--am very confused, and can barely write this note (strange for a professional writer, eh?). I also have trouble walking, am quite dizzy and out of breath, and have severe muscle cramps; feels almost like my nervous system is shutting down. And truly, I feel like it could kill me. I was grateful to read all of your comments; makes me know that I'm not alone. I will have to discontinue this medication, as I simply cannot function while using it. (I'm a 62-year-old female, by the way.) Thanks again for your comments, and I wish you all luck and happiness.

I have been taking Lisinopril/HCTZ now for approximately one month. Since then I have had several side effects very similar to those I have read on this website. Thank goodness my husband decided to check this drug out because I have not been myself lately.

First of all, I have been experiencing sporadic leg pain with the sensation of getting cramps on my left calf that have kept me up at night. I have not been able to get a good night's sleep because of it. This started about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I didn't understand why my leg was bothering me so much until I finally went to the doctor and he told me it was a side effect from the Lisinopril/HCTZ drug I was taking. He told me that the drug was a diuretic that acts like a water pill. It makes the kidneys work harder to get rid of the excess water in our body. When that happens, we lose minerals that cause the leg cramping. He suggested that I buy over the counter vitamins that had a lot of calcium and magnesium in it, as well as increase my levels of potassium. So, any of you that are having this problem, it is a side effect of this pill.

Other side effects that I have experienced are: stomach bloating and gas. Yesterday, my stomach bloated up so much I looked like I was six months pregnant carrying triplets! I have never looked this way before and it really depressed me. I looked absolutely awful! Furthermore, I noticed I am beginning to gain weight and inches. Although I am overweight, I was not putting on any weight or inches at all. I have been maintaining my same weight or less for years. Yet, since I have been on the drug for about one month, I have noticed the weight gain and my clothes are fitting tighter all over.

Finally, I have been more irritable and feel run down. Probably from the lack of sleep from the leg pain at night; but also from the hot flashes I have been experiencing within the last week or so. Although I am 50 years old, I have not experienced any hot flashes until now. They are so bad, I feel like I'm burning up inside. I have to open up the window or turn on the fan at night although it is cold in the room. This is also a new symptom I have never had before.

After reading other people's side effects on this website, I am convinced that I am going to stop this drug cold turkey. I was fine before and why try and fix something that doesn't need fixing? Doctors tell me that it is a preventative measure to getting a stroke or heart attack. I believe many doctors scare us into believing that we can die someday if we don't take it and that is pretty scary. But check things out first.

Thank God my husband did some research on this drug and found this website. It convinced me that I wasn't alone and this drug is really bad for you. I plan to go back to normal and watch my weight, eat healthy, exercise, and monitor my blood pressure instead. Not to mention, my blood pressure is only borderline from being normal. So, why risk it?

Martha G.

I am not sure if the Lisinopril is my problem. I have been on it for 3 yrs now. I do not have HBP -never had it. I developed Type II diabetes and am on Metformin. In the last two months, I have developed dizziness and light headedness. Also, last two months, heart palpations - and the itching is driving me crazy. Skin has developed tender sites - like the skin feels like very thin paper. I think I am going to stop it - even reading what's on this page - it may be what's causing these strange things. I did not know it was from viper venom. I also have dry mouth, but no consistent cough. Every now and then.

Help! My 86-year-old mother takes Lisinopril. She takes it in the morning and is very sluggish until around 4 p.m., when suddenly she snaps out of it and goes back to being normal. She has constant diarrhea and feels miserable most of the time. When we were in the hospital this past weekend, she was very sluggish - almost to the point of thinking she's got some kind of mental problem - when they took her BP around noon: it was 90/60. As the afternoon wore on, it rose to 120/70, then - around 4, sure enough, it was up to 140/80. She's not diabetic, so doesn't have to worry about her kidneys. She had a heart attack 7 years ago, and has slightly elevated BP. After reading some of these posts, I'm thinking her problem might be the Lisinopril. When we see her doctor Monday, I'm going to ask about it. I'll be armed with the comments on this web site, plus Internet discussions of Lisinopril side effects. I hope I can convince her doctor to put her on something else. Anyway, does this sound familiar to any of you?

I just found this site. I have had all the mentioned side affects too, but I have so many health problems besides the Diabetes I am on the Lisinopril for, that I never know if the symptoms are from a med or a health problem I have. My BP was never very high but my dr put me on this "to protect my kidneys" and said I HAVE to take a BP med to do that, or my kidneys would stop functioning. MY PROBLEM now is, I cannot get my Diabetes under control. I have been thru 2 drs and the last one just told me to get lost when I refused to go on insulin injections. At this time I do not have another dr yet. My Psoriasis has flared up again and my skin on my face is so dry I have red/scaly patches on my nose and down all around my mouth. My skin is getting drier and drier. It seems like I am drying up. I have been drinking lots of water and putting salves/lotions on my face and it is not helping. My daughter called me last night and told me to check out my BP medicine as she read that some can cause high blood sugar. My blood sugar keeps jumping all over the place. It drops to 165 then may go up to 225 the next day. Has any one else had problems with this medicine and Diabetes?
I am 63 yrs old and am in poor physical condition because of Lymes Disease and other health problems. So I do not know which of these symptoms are from this medicine or from other health problems I have. I did find out that the Diabetic medicine Metformin depletes you of B12, so I am now on spray B12 500/equal to shots. NOW I read that this medicine will deplete you of Potassium. Please let me know if you have Diabetes and this medicine makes it worse.

I have been on this drug for a year. I have never felt worse in my life. I am a 54 year old woman who works out daily and am not overweight but I have HBP. My side effects did not start until 6 months after being on this drug, so I didn't think right away that it was this drug.
I would wake up with severe leg cramps at night that would not go away. I had severe pain in the lower back and on both sides where the kidneys are. I thought I had a terminal illness. I could not function in my life at all. My dr. changed my RX to Benicar which is in the same family the results were worse than the lisinopril. I took myself off both drugs for two days and all symptoms went away except the HBP. I am now on amlodipine for two days so far so good no cramps no pain. The only side effect is flushing which is a piece of cake next to what I lived with.
I am also so happy I found this site I thought I was either dying or going crazy.

My doctor put me on Lisinopril (10 mg) a week ago. On the third day, I felt fatigue, had a cough, entire body soreness, felt feverish, with flu symptoms. My doctor told me to stop taking it for three or four days and start it up again. I did. I felt better, especially on my forth day. I started it up again on a Monday and still felt okay, but the fatigue returned. Today, which is Saturday, I woke up feeling great. I didn't take the Lisinopril until noon time and from then on I have felt very tired. I laid down for six hours, slept two. I still have the cough and have decided to take the Lisinopril at night so that I may sleep better. I go back to my doctor the 11th of October and will let you all know how that turned out.

I've been off Lisinopril for 2 weeks now. The dizziness, light headedness, and general overall flu like feelings are pretty much gone. I still have a touch of the irregular heatbeat stuff but nothing like it was. The doc is running me through some additional cardiac tests (treadmill, etc.) just to be sure. For the most part, though, I feel like way gobs better. BP really doesn't seem to have changed much but I am on a beta blocker too which helps with BP. Doc isn't thrilled with the "no Lisinopril" order from me. She says it's the best drug for protecting kidneys in diabetics. But, we're going to see how it goes.

I coughed for 3 months, sometimes I coughed so hard that I would throw up it was an awful feeling, my body ached all the time, even the bottom of my feet , It hurt so bad to try and turn over at night, I had terrible headaches my symptons were very much like chronic sinusitis andI just slowed down because I didn't feel good. I've been off this medicine for 2 months and I'm feeling better but it does make me painful in the area of my kidneys on the left side and I have blood in my urine which is also a side effect and I did have an ultrasound today, I truly believe that this medicine almost killed me.

PLEASE READ MY STORY!!!....Part 2. My Nephroligist put me on an ARB-Angiostein II Receptor Blocker-Cozaar@50mg.

He said in his opinion, " the medications on the market in both classes of ACE Inhibitors & Angiostein II Receptor Blockers (ARB's) are similar in regulating high blood pressure and helping the kidneys to function better." He went on to explain that "ARB's have less side effects, are a much better quality, and more expensive." "The insurance companies don't want to pay the higher price." "Cozaar is one of the best." I told him that's what I wanted, "The Best." I had a good feeling about this Doc. He knew what he was talking about and recommended what he felt was best for me given the problems I had with Lisinopril HCTZ. He's monitoring me closely and I'm to call him ASAP with any weird or unusual side effects.

I did more research on the ARB's and have personally concluded for the time being, that the ARB's make more sense to me in "how" the medications regulate high blood pressure. Of course there's different types of variables one must always consider before starting these medications or any other medications for that matter. Everybody's medical condition isn't the same and the medications are NOT a "one size fits all" and shouldn't be addressed as such.

I've been on the Cozaar for 3 days and so far I feel great! I'll keep you updated for any side effects. Anyone out there try any of the ARB's? If you're currently taking or have taken, I would certainly appeciate if you would please email me and let me know what your experience was like in regulating your blood pressure and/or any side effects you had.

DOES EVERYONE KNOW THIS IS A BRAZILIAN SNAKE VENOM. Just search under Lisinopril and snake venom and watch what comes up. When I took this I went to the herbal store and took herbs for my kidneys and heart, because this med I read can damage them and I did not know what damage was done after 3 months.

I am a 72 year old male,who like every one posting here, has HBP, and
was prescribed,Lisinopril. I have been on this medication for 5 years but
just now found this web site. I have had all of the symptoms described by
every one but just thought I was getting ready to die. My problem is that I
have been on the drug for so long I'm afraid to quit taking it. My blood
pressure is very good. Does any one have any solutions.

Hello. I started taking lisinopril 20 mg about 1.5 months ago because of hbp and I also started taking toprol for rapid heart beat 1/2 a month before that. Although it did lower my hbp it made me feel lousy. I started getting anxiety all the time, aches in my body (stomach etc), nausea, dizziness, spaced out, and numbness in my hands. My father passed away about 2.5 months ago and so I figured that the anxiety was something normal given the circumstances. I thought that the other side effects were part of the anxiety. I felt as thought I was going to go crazy or die. I also started to become a hypocondriac thinking that if I had a pain in my stomach it might be stomach cancer etc. It was not until I found this site that I see that lisinopril and/or the toprol might be the thing that is causing me to feel lousy. I was always healthy and I never had anxiety. I understand that I shoud feel a little anxiety and sadness because of my father, but I don't feel a little anxiety, I get intense panic attacks. I feel as thought I can't get back to normal, I just feel as though I'm not myself. I want to stop this meds as soon as possible before I, too, get worse side effects. Please let me know if you all think that it is the medications or is this just part of the griving process. All I know is that I started taking this pills and all this started to happen.

Been on lisinopril for about a year for high bp. Seems to help. Don't have a cough and don't seem to be feeling weak or sluggish. Do have a burning sensation on the tip of my tongue and a couple of really sore bumps have come and gone on the last few weeks. Also, I am now developing may little red cherry like blood blisters on my body just about everywhere. I've had the dermatologist look at them and he called them some kind of skin cherry and nothing to worry about. I know they are somewhat genetic and my father has a few but I am getting hundreds of them and it has been within the last 6 months. I was told this medicine dialated the artery going into the kidneys to relieve pressure. Wonder if it is dialating capalaries in my skin causing these cherrys? Anybody else got 'em?

Just started 5MG Lisinopril once a day at bedtime (about a week).
After looking up side effects, I found this site. I don't have hbp,never had. I was given this to help protect my kidneys (type1 diabetic). Side effects are: head ache, dizzy, muscle pain in legs and arms, stomach pain... This morning I was helping my daughter find her craft supplies. All of a sudden I was sitting on the floor with no sensation of getting there. I'm stopping this stuff. Google Apple Cider Vinegar uses.

I have been taking Lisiniopril for several years now for moderately high blood pressure. (10mg) I have the mild dry throat and cough but was willing to put up with it as opposed to having a stroke. What I did not count on was the fatigue, muscle and joint aches that I have developed along with feeling like I was in fog many days. Aches and discomfort in the middle of the night enough to wake me up and sometimes lasting all day (although it would subside somewhat during the day). In addition I have been having discomfort in my kidneys. I thought I was developing arthritis but was tested by my primary doctor for the gene and did not have it. Why did he not discuss the effects of this drug he had prescribed? Now that I know of other peoples experiences I am stopping this drug and will try harder to control my bp with execise and diet. My research has told me that simple diuretics will control the bp if necessary. These ACE inhibitors are nasty things...stay away!

I started taking lisinopril in June, I have been going back and forth with problems but not once was I told it possibly was the lisinopril, tests upon tests upon tests! My complaints are severe fatique, I would walk about 20 feet and feel like I walked 10 miles, it seems any old injuries I have ever had have come back and are so sore and sensitive I can barely stand it, even to brush my hair is so painful, at first i thought it was the spirlactone/hydroclothorizide I was taking ,now I think it is probably the lisinopril, I have the cough, not real severe but it is there off and on, I have been gaining weight, 3 to 4 pounds everytime I go back to the doc. hands going numb, I try to eat healthy and to chew an apple fatiqued me so much I couldn't stand it, I've been telling my doctor all this stuff and he just keeps ordering more tests and bloodwork, I'm still waiting for the results of my last bloodwork where he took me off my meds for 3 days, he suspects something wrong with my kidneys, this is very frightening, they are also saying I may be diabetic and there is no history in our family either. I still can't believe the extreme fatique and weakness, when I get up after sitting my feet and back are so painful it is pathetic, now my knees are starting to hurt too! I've had ankle problems and back injuries years ago, but the pain is so severe, it's like it just happened, I'm beside myself, I will definetly be talking to the doctor about this!! Thanks to everyone for posting this information, I would have had no idea that the lisinopril could cause all these problems, I stopped taking the spirolactone and hydro, but now am wondering if this was any of the problem at all.I also had the cramping in my legs, neck, head, still i thought it was the other drug, boy I hope I can get answers, they started me at 10 and now I'm taking 30's the doc said if it doesn't take care of the b/p the dosage can go up to 85 "so there is lots of room to work with"......... I don't think so!!!! I also am very sensitive to cold or heat, man I'm a wreck!!! I went to the doctor to feel better!!!

I have been taking Lisinopril for about 3 weeks now(20mg) as an ace inhibiter for my kidneys, and i have experienced a dry cough and a dry throat, as well as mild chest pains. Iam going to call my doctir in the morning, i cant go on like this. iam still young (33)i shouldnt be going through all of this.