Lisinopril and stomach problems

Three weeks after taking Lisinopril (10mg 1x) I developed a severe back ache that migrated to my lower right front section. I started having problems with the strength in my leg muscles to the point that I could no longer walk without the fear of falling. Two weeks after I stopped taking Lisinopril, the back and lower stomach problems went away and I can now walk 20 feet but still have problems with balance. I still can not walk ujp any stairs or lift my leg more than 1 inch. Never had this problem before I took Lisinopril. I have not been able to work now for 2 months.

I have been on 5mg of Lisinopril for a month now. My blood pressure dropped from 160/110 to 105/70. I have had ZERO side effects and I consider it a wonder drug. I just want to redress all the negative comments here - not every one gets side effects!

I've been on it for about 2 months, the first month nothing really happened...but the last month its just been getting worse and worse. Light headed, sweaty hands, cold feet, tinglinging in the fingers, heart palpitations, etc...the worst are the heart palps, and light headedness (I feel like I might pass out right now!). I stopped taking it today, my last pill was yesterday morning, so hopefully the side effects will subside today or tomorrow.

for those who went off the drug, how long did it take for the side affects to disappear?

I ,too, have been taken Lisinopril(25mg) with Atenolol once a day for the past 11/2 years. I don't know if anyone has had a problem with hair loss, and would like to hear from someone who has had the same problem.

I just started taking Lisinopril on 2/11/09. Looked up this medication on the internet because i feel so weird since yesterday and saw all these comments. I have the heavy chest feelings, stomach problems, dizzy, depression, and many of the other symptoms that are described by everybody. I was on Benicar and am going back to it even though my insurance doesn't cover much of the cost. Thanks for everyone's comments..... .CN

I was on Lisinopril for 10 months and got really sick and it took forever to realize it was this drug. In finding out all of this info we found that my grandmother was also on the drug and we quickly got her off of it. My grandmother's doctor told us that this drug was originally made from snake venom and then it was changed to SYNTHETIC snake venom which for some reason has caused more problems for people people. Synthetic or not, i don't want snake venom in my body and it has been a long 4 month recovery from this. My adrenal glands were totally shot along with horrible stomach problems, memory issues, leg pains and many, many more.........

Oh My Gosh - as I sit here with abdominal cramps typing my experience - I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I started taking Lisinopril in late April 2008. On May 2 I had severe abdominal cramps and massive vomiting for 8 hours. Finally got myself to ER after I sent my family on to our vacation (I joined 2 days later). The ER attributed it to food poisoning. Lo and behold, I had another "attack" on May 9th. Back to ER I went (my husband witnessed my attack and insisted I go). They took X-rays and MRI - found intestinal inflammation but didn't know why. My internest send me to gastro dr. Third attack hit on June 5th and gastro doctor sent me to major hospital ER. They, too, did MRI & blood work. Looked at gall bladder, pancreas, stomach, intestines, etc. They found intestinal inflammation. Gastro Dr. took more blood and did more test (CT, MRI, Colonoscopy, Endoscopy). He couldn't find anything so he sent me to rheumatologist. She did add'l blood work and genetic testing. She though I had an auto-immune disorder - like Mediterranean Familial Fever! Please...! But all her tests came back negative. She too had no answers, only treatment for symptoms - Colchicine and Prednisone. Yuk. After having my 8th debilitating attack yesterday (since May), I've had enough. I went to the Web and found this wonderful site - along with some others with helpful info. I don't have confirmation that the lisinopril is causing this - but it sure sounds like it. I am a 49 yr old female and I've had no "life changing" events in my life (except for this nastiness) and have been on no other meds. I find it interesting that out of all the doctors I've seen - and all knew of the lisinopril - that none suspected this as a side effect.

My Update . . It is hard to imagine my body was able to tolerate Lisinopril for eight years! But when I was overcome I really thought I was going to die. I have been 'clean' for one month. 80% of the severe, weeping rash which I have suffered with for over 9 months is gone from my arms, hands, back, and legs. At first it was very discouraging, After stopping the drug my condition would get better one day then worse the next two days, then better, then worse. Now my fingers are completely healed and the lower back pain I have had for years, with no help from chiropractic adjustment is not only gone, but completely gone! Doctors are in denial. The only way I discovered the Lisinopril link was from this web site for which I am very grateful.

What haunts me is the thought of how many older individuals who may be suffering from Lisinopril and are not aware of how to be helped. Many of the contributors to this site seem to be young and computer/internet aware and are more capable to research a problem.

This drug needs to be investigated and featured on a news show like 20/20 or a Sunday morning program where hopefully many older individuals can be made aware of the dangers of Lisinopril.

Here is my update:
I last took Lisinopril on July 7th 2008. .I am slowly recovering with the help of a good diet, exercise and supplements.Lisinopril strips the body of Zinc and Zinc supports the immune system. I am taking zinc,magnesium and co-enzyme q10. This c0-enzyme is wonderful! It takes about two months to actually feel the results but for the first time in 5 years I have energy.

I also take vitamin c. I try to exercise at least 5 days a week.My blood pressure is slowly coming down naturally.I will not take those pills. I will take my chances.
I think I have permanent right shoulder damage,although if I take Glucosamine, it does feel better.I still also have major stomach problems such as pain, indigestion and rib pain.

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 am a 60year old female who was admitted to Mayo clinic after experiencing a hypertensive encephalopathy seizure. I was placed on lisinopril to try to bring my blood pressure under control. I have been on as many as five different medications per day with none controlling my extreme high blood pressure. After taking lisinopril for two days I developed a severe headache with floaters. My face became very swollen, especially my eyes, with unbearable itching and soreness. I also have had chest pains and it feels like my throat and insides are raw. My stomach hurts and it is hard to eat. I have only taken two lisinopril tablets and will not be taking any more. I see my doctor tomorrow and expect to be given a different medication. So far I have had no luck with any blood pressure medicine and I have tried about ten different kinds. If any one has had any luck with a prescription drug or an alternative remedy, I would love to hear from you.Thanks, Evelyn

I have been on lisinopril for two years, in that time I became unable to do anything. I would eat, but it would not give me energy, so I would eat more. I gained over 100 lbs from this. Nothing tasted, for all I knew I could of been eating rubber. My head hurt in one spot on my head. I could not remember anything, even how to cook anything, I have cooked all my life. If you can not taste then it is hard to cook. I was told in Aug of last year that I was hypothyroid. Come to find out the body can not make your thyroid work well while taking Lisinopril. I thought good they found out what was wrong with me. . I had the stomach problems they started in the night, I felt like if I went to the bathroom that I was going to die. For a full year I delt with my stomach hurting, before I got really sick. I was so depressed, really depressed. I was taking Norvasc which was doing good for my blood pressure. Before this started my doctor told me to try this wonder drug, it would make everything perfect, it was cheap and my insurance would cover it. It was the start of a two year ordeal that I hope is over. The wonder drug was Lisinopril, the death pill is what I call it. I was in the ER blood pressure 170/110 pulse 130. My day of grace came when I ran out of Lisinopril and started taking HCTZ, a water pill. My blood pressure is perfect, 123/75. I can taste, I can remember, I can clean my house, I can take care of my kids and I am looking forward to getting back to work. I hate that this drug stole two years from me and my kids. It seems like there should be a lawsuit somewhere to repay us for all our pain and suffering.

For anyone having digestion problems while taking lisinopril....please read this!

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/446546_3

I am hoping this is what my problem is, as I'm to the point of not being able to eat anything, even bland food, without being in horrible pain. Cat scans and upper scope ran and all came back normal, regular blood tests are normal...but the pain I have after eating is not NORMAL! I go back to my regular dr. tomorrow and will let you know if he takes me off the lisinopril. My stomach problems started after starting 40 mg of lisinopril in June of 06. I will try to keep you posted on if it is the medication causing my problems.
I also have the anxiety, red rash on my neck, shortness of breath, lethargy, lack of concentration, etc. etc. It's scary to think medications can cause more problems than the actual health problem they are treating you for!

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.

I have been on Lisinopril for 3 months within 4 weeks I had severe stomach problems with a urinary tract infection, I thought I was having a kidney stone I went through numerous tests and I received a scope up the penis looking for stones nothing was found, Iwas taking Cipro & Flagyl for the UI and eventually I get better now here it is again same symptoms with a severe stomach lower abdomen problems the only thing that has changed in my life is the Lisinopril, starting today I will not take it anymore.

In my opinion, Lisinopril is a silent and deadly killer. I was on the original drug Zestoretic for a long time without any problems. Within the first 24 hours of tasking Lisinopril I became very ill. I was on a trip and did not immediately realize it was caused because they switched me to the generic version called lisinopril. I have not had any other side effects from any other generic, nor do I have a problem with generics...only generics that posion the user!!!

I have had blurred vision, confusion, eye problems, heart palpitations, weight gain, sweating, rashes, and blood pressure that either falls to dramatic lows or rises to dramatic highs. I have lost feeling in my right foot and now am starting to experience numbness in my hands and other extremities. I have complained to doctors, pharmacists and to my medical provider. I am now in the process of fighting the state I live in to carry and cover the real product, Zestoretic, for me in my insurance. I have made at least twenty or more attempts to get this straightened out but all of my warnings are falling on deaf ears. Five of my other friends were put on Lisinopril in the last year. Most thought I was just being too radical about the effects of the drug. They used it and got by for about three to six months.

Guess what? They are all having serious side effects now too. Three have ended up in the hospital. One with a heart attack. One with a mild stroke. And a couple with kidney problems. My liver began to fail me and now my doctor wants to send me to a neurologist.... I know what the problem is. Believe me. I will switch back to Zestoretic this Monday. but here's the killer punchline America. Prinzide no longer makes their safe version. It is discontinued and from what I understand, Zestoretic has stopped producing all but one strength...their 20/25. My guess is with Walmart selling the generic for $4 bucks for a month's supply...it won't be long until Astra Zeneca pulls the 20/25's off the market... Got the picture!!!!!!!! Posion or nothing. P/S I will wriotge back aftger I have been on the Zestoretic for a week.

hello, was on lisinopril for about the first 3 weeks of 2007 and had bad stomach problems and could not uriniate, felt like my bladder was full. i thought i had prostrate problems, went back to doc, said it was probably a urinary infection. gave me cipro and said it would clear up in a couple of days, got worse. found this site on jan 20 and quit taking lisinopril that day. after 3-4 days i could uriniate again. doc then gave me atenolol and took it for about 10 days, have had a wierd kind of sore throat and sore around adams apple, feels like something hung in my throat and my appitite is nothing like it used to be, not hungry, and not sleeping worth a darn. anybody know how long these side effects last. driving me and my wife crazy. also hoarseness in throat and voice. i sure am glad to find this site. tommy p.s, am sure symptoms were before taking atenolol.

Lisinopril seems to put a heavy detoxification load on the immune system. As a result, the body seems to use up zinc and selenium (and other things, of course, like vit-c, vit-e) at a high rate.

When the body runs out of zinc or selenium, additional problems happen. The immune system is not able to keep up with the detoxification needs, and I think this is a major factor with the cough.

In addition, other systems besides the immune system are also negatively effected when these nutrients run low. For example, selenium, is very important for joint health, and, it is also key in thyroid function (both at the receptor site as well is in the thyroid itself), among other things.

The combination of direct lung damage related to the cough, plus the lowered thyroid function from lack of selenium seem to me to be the major causes of the breathlessness or shortness of breath problems that I've had so much of.

Another problem is that taking selenium supplementation, even when deficient in selenium, further depresses the thyroid. So, I have found a number of things that help me counteract that, in order that I can take the necessary amount of supplemental selenium to feed my immune system. These other things are calcium, boron, iodine, tyrosine, zinc, magnesium. Also, I take the extra selenium only at night, when extra thyroid depression is more tolerable.

Also, for really damaged lungs, as mine were, I found that cysteine, msm, and horsetail (for silicia) also helpful.

And to help with the stomach problems that lisinopril caused me, I found glutamine helpful.

My problems persisted for a long time (2+ years) after quitting lisinopril, however, each time I discovered one of these helpful nutrients, my recovery took a leap forward. I'm pretty sure that if I'd known right away about the zinc & selenium, in particular, I'd have been able to get back on my feet in several months instead.

There are presently 56 pages of complaints about lisinopril.

Reading through them, there are a number of people who have weight issues due to lisinopril. I have had them myself. I used to be able to control my weight by just jogging a bit more, but while on lisinopril - and for a long long time after, no amount of jogging helped. I also started feeling more and more exhausted and finally couldn't even sustain a minimum amount of jogging.

You should consider getting off lisinopril before you catch any of the other side effects, as they can be debilitating and extremely long lasting, perhaps permanent (even after quitting).

You might consider supplementation with L-Carnitine or Acetly-L-Carnitine for increased energy and fat burning metabolism. (I have also found L-Glutamine to be helpful on my stomach - the lisinopril gave me lots of stomach problems, among other things.)

My opinion of one thing that's going on with the lisinopril is that it places a heavy (detoxification) load on the liver, and as a result the liver is not able to produce the same level of the so-called "conditional nutrients", such as L-Carnitine (important for fat burning metabolism) and N-Acetly-Cysteine (important for lung health, e.g. to fight the cough). As this medication shifts the primary function of the liver from normal operation to heavy detoxification, it also uses up valuable minerals, such as zinc and manganese, and vitamins, such as vit-b group. Eventually, these nutritonal depletions will result in some complex side effects, energy, and health issues (in addition to the other more directly-caused side effects like the cough).

I also believe that supplementation is the best way to get some of these nutrients. You'd have to eat a ton of food (and gain weight, which is counter productive to hypertension and other health issues) to get the specific nutrients that are being depleted.

Best of luck to all.

I was put on Lisinopril for high blood pressure one month ago. I had previously been on Benicar but could not afford it to be quite honest as I am a single mom. Anyway I developed the dry hacking cough right away but thought it was allergy related as the pollen count around here is unbearable. Finally after taking all kinds of over the counter meds for allergies to try and ease the cough, I finally went back to the doc to be treated for the allergies ? only to be informed by the doc of the cough as a side effect of taking Lisinspril. I had no allergy at all ! He immediatley switched me to Diovan ( I think I have that spelling right as I don't have the bottle in front of me ) and so since I am still coughing some ( not as bad ) and since its just been 2 days I thought I would look into seeing how long this cough was supposed to last after discontinuing the medicine so hence I found my way to this web site listing side effects. Haven't found out how long I might still have the cough after discontinuing but hope its not much longer. Anyway just wanted to post and warn all about the cough. It is horrible and kept me up all night long for weeks and would choke you without warning. Awful stuff althought it did the trick where the blood pressure was concerned I can not justify the cough.

I have been on lisinopril for at least 4 years. When I mention several things I feel are connected to this drug I am told probably not by my PCP.

1. Dry scratchy throat, cough.
2. Severe leg and foot cramps.
3. Ears ringing.
4. Back and leg pain.
5. Neck stiffness and pain.
6. Stomach problems and GERD.
7. Swelling of the neck.
8. Headaches.
9. Runny nose.
10. Tightness of the chest.
11. Lightheadedness.
12. Shortness of breath.

I find when I do not take this drug for just one day I feel more normal.

But, none of these are a side effect of Lininopril?

All the tests I have endured to find nothing wrong?

Sounds like a class action suit should be in order.

I had major stomach problems that started with gas, bloating etc... I went to the emergency room for abdominal pain (because that's what my doctors office told me to do when I asked for an appointment regarding abdominal pain), and they found nothing and suggested IBS (Iritible Bowel Syndrom). The side effects continued developing and turned into a burning sensation deep in the abdomin. I had to stop eating all spicy foods and also stop taking my usual 500mg/day vit-c supplement. The burning sensation was physical but really hurt and made me anxious and agitated. Problems kept getting worse, doctor said all was psychological problems, prescribed paxil, later zoloft; I tried the paxil for two days, didn't like it (they said it would take two weeks to help, but I felt it the first time); never took the zoloft. Took many tests; all came up negative. All the doctors I went to were absolutely no help (made things worse in fact). It turned out to all be the lisinopril. I figured it out as the side effects kept mounting.

By the way, for those with the cough (get off this horrible medication and) take extra zinc around 4 times the RDA/DV seems to help a lot with helping the lungs clear that sticky stuff out. (I like country-life target-mins 50mg zinc - effective and easy on my stomach; tried several others before finding this one; I take a quarter of one 50mg tablet 4 times a day, and a good multivitiamin at dinner.) Also, calcium seems to help with the some of the other side effects (there are many side effects, pains, discomforts, etc... from this so-called medication).

This is one crappy medication, and, the worst of it is that doctors are just clueless about its numerous side effects.

Guest0222

have been taking lisinopril for 3 months now. Not sure if I am having a side effect from this drug or not. Afterabout 8weeks taking it, I have been having some stomach problems,bloating,loose stool a few times a week. My doctor says it is not from the drug, and has scheduled me for a colon exam. Has anyone else experienced this type of side effect from this drug?

I began taking the Japanese version of Norvasc because nothing else was available where I was (in Japan). When I came home after 5 years, my doctor switched me to lisinopril 10 mg,then 20 mg and finally 40 mg. My BP is under control now at an average of 130/70.
My side effects are itchy eyes (chronic), occasional chest pain (like a hammer from the inside, scary), inability to lose weight (not a big issue) , a probable small stomach ulcer but no acid reflux etc (I do not eat beef or many saturated fatty foods).
A possible key to resolving some of the stomach problems may be in diet control. Alcohol and sugar should be off the menu entirely ( it has helped ne immensely). Also, plenty of fresh fruit, almonds and walnuts, edamame (japanese soybeans found in the frozen food section) as a snack, and don't cook your vegetables to death (steam or lightly saute them). In addition, eat mushrooms. I eat a lot of shiitake, enoki and sometimes maitake mushrooms, which seems to have made a difference.
Anyway balance and moderation in food intake are key, and if you drink alcohol or consume a lot of sugar while taking any medication, you may be negating many of the potential positive effects.

mchthewanderer, - I don't want to overdo my postings here, but can I tell you again that Zestril IS Lisinopril. Zestril is the trademark of AstraZeneca (UK). I have the pack in front of me here now. "Each Zestril tablet contains Lisinopril and Mannitol". I'm only on 5mg. a day and now am also on these Lansoprazole tablets which have worked a miracle on my stomach problems. I've also been told to take a regular cod liver oil intake. I'm 20 years older than you, - at 8.30 a.m. was mowing a large lawn, - followed by wallpaper stripping a room, followed by washing two large SUV cars! - and still feel great! 30mg. seems a lot for a young guy - but only your doctor can give qualified advice. What are the two other drugs for? Do you electronically monitor your own b.p? Does your energy regain slightly at the "furthest point of the day" from when you take your tablets?