Lisinopril Atenolol, Stress, Ringing in My Ears, Tinnitus, Lisinopril
Posted over a year ago
I've been having ringing in my ears (tinnitus) which started at about the same time I started taking Lisinopril. Has anyone else experienced this side effect?
Steve1 - Yes, I have a permanent case of tinnitus from my 25 days on this drug. It has been 13 months now and the ringing continues. My doc and an ENT both don't believe it was caused by Lisinopril, but I know it is because there was nothing new in my life but that drug. I stopped taking it after 25 days hoping the ringing would go away, but no such luck. I hope your's goes away.
Libramoon2 - I have tinnitus still and I stopped taking the Lisinopril last August. Eating a lot of sugary foods seems to exacerbate this .
Carolzonie - i took 20 mg of this stuff for TWO days and on the second day, started coughing and my ears were ringing, plus i had a really bad dry mouth. I stopped on the third day, and the ringing continues!! i hope it will go away after all the lisinopril gets out of my system, and I also have lost my appetite. I can taste food, and only eat for nutrition sake...i have lost 8 pounds in less than a week. but i want my life back. Carol
Vaes - I lost my hearing 03-11-08 10 days after I started taking Lisinopril. My Dr. at ENT say it was not related to this medication also but now I have no 100% hearing loss with no signs oh it coming back. Surgery for a hearing aid is a possibility 3 monhs from now in hopes that I might get some hearing back..........I'm so sure my hearing loss was caused by taking lisinopril. I still have ringing in my ear which my ENT dr said it was phantom rings...yeah sure!
Susansmommy - I have been on Lisinopril for 3 months now and I have complete hearing loss in my right ear. ENT did an MRI and it was clear - no reasons for hearing loss. He put me on prednisone and a viral medication and neither restored my hearing. After reading these articles I will be calling in the AM about Lisinopril
5kdad - My dr changed me from atenolol to lisinopril last week. Five days later, I started having ringing in my ears, feeling flushed, light headed, and have a pain in the back of my head (that one could be stress). I'm going back to my atenolol tomorrow and calling my dr!
Ilovemylife2 - I took Lisinopril for about 2 months in the late summer/early fall of 2007. I noticed that I started having ringing in my ears at that time, but I thought it might be due to the "1 baby aspirin" I had started taking daily. I stopped taking the aspririn and the ringing continues to this day.
I stopped taking the Lisinopril due to (1) postural fatigue, (2) mild funny smell, metallic taste, and a funny feeling in the middle front of my head, and (3) unable to sleep for more than about 4 or 5 hours at night.
I've tried Diovan more recently, but for only a couple of weeks. Same fatigue, smell/taste/feeling, and sleep side effects.
Lisinopril has damaged my quality of life. Can I sue for damages?
Dick22 - yes I have the same side effect when I changed from 40mg to two 20 mg per day to control my blood pressure, Not sure what to do
Megabob - I too have a recent, inexplicable hearing loss and have been taking Lisinopril for somewhere between 2 and 3 months. I woke up one morning with a significant amount of hearing loss in my right ear. Occasionally, I experience hearing loss due to impacted ear wax, so I thought that this was the case. I used a syringe and some ear wax remover and my hearing returned even though there was not much ear wax that was removed.
About a week later, I again woke up with a hearing loss in my right ear. Believing that I had not gotten all the ear wax out of the ear, I again repeatedly attempted to remove impacted ear wax, but nothing came out no matter how much I flushed it out. A week or two after that, I developed a ringing or low hum in the right ear. Believing it was something serious, I contacted my doctor and made an appointment to see him. When he looked in my ear, he found an infection so he prescribed a week's worth of Amoxicillin.
After the medication was gone, there was still no change in my hearing, so I called him back and informed him of this. He then told me that I needed antibiotic ear drops, and he called the pharmacy to have them get it ready. I went to get them, and they were just too expensive at $130. Instead I stopped at a pharmacy and picked up some ear drops that soothe and reduce inflammation in the ear. After using them the first time, 80% to 90% of my hearing returned, but I still had a low humming sound in the ear. It was clear to me at that the problem wasn't an ear infection; the infection the doctor found was from me digging in my ear trying to remove impacted ear wax so I could hear again.
It seems at my age, 56, I have a negative reaction to any medication I have not been on for a long time; it's happened recently where I had to quit medications due to adverse side effects. There is nothing else in my life that I can point to that would cause such a hearing loss other than being on Lisinopril for a couple of months. Today is the first day that I'm not taking the medication, so I'll have to see if there are any changes in the future regarding my hearing.
Megabob - Okay, now I have further information about this problem. As this problem progressed, I started experiencing occurrences of vertigo. I have been going to a chiropractor for a traffic I was in last July, and when I told him the symptoms I have been experiencing, he knew exactly what the problem was - Meniere's Disease. It may be that the Lisinopril is causing the organic changes that result in this problem. I have been off the Lisinopril for about a week and a half now, and there is no change for the better so far.
Shirlswis - YES, I have had ringing in my ears, night sweats, getting "charlie horses" all over my body and anxiety-like at night where my chest feels tight and I am concerned that I can't breathe well...
geesh, I HATE this lisinopril..
I am going to stop it and just take the atonolol and the hydrochlorthyazide (water pill).. it was working fine. I have added Lovaza.. so that will help I think. Good luck to you.
Slimsmom - Around 2002 I suffered a silent heart attack. Because of it I now have congestive heart failure. The doctors prescribed Lisinopril for me as part of my daily medication regime. I started noticing ringing in my ears, hearing loss, vertigo and light headedness not long after I started taking this drug.
I went to specialists to try and figure out why this was occurring and no organic problems were found to explain it. I was told I would just have to "learn to live with it", and so far that is what I have done. The noise in my left ear is worse than the right one, but it is an incessant high pitched 'white noise' that won't go away. I have also heard it described as sounding like cicadas constantly singing.
After investigating the side effects of my medications and discovering tinnitus as one of them with Lisinopril, I discussed it with my doctor and they dismissed the notion of this medication causing the problem in spite of the fact that I have been to an otolaryngologist and had MRI's and CT scans performed and all of the tests came out normal.
I am wondering if there is an alternative drug that can be prescribed for blood pressure that will work as well without this debilitating side effect. After reading these posts I am almost certain this drug is causing the problem. And now I am wondering if the damage is permanent even if I stop taking this drug.
Anything22 - I have been taking Benazepril for about three weeks and developed a high pitched ringing in my ears. I saw my doctor yesterday and told him about it and he prescribed Lisinoril, which is the same class of drug as Benazepril.
I'm glad I searched the internet and found out that lot's of people are experiencing this horrible problem. I am not going to take any more ACE INHIBITORS and will request a medication change to another class of blood pressure medication. I hope the ringing goes away, it's awful. Thanks to everyone else who posted here for taking the time to shed some light on this problem.
Modahani - All of these drugs are poison. I've been trying one type after another and always have a side effect. Lisinopril 10mg made ringing in my ear even worse, I think it started because of the Toprol I was on (MEGA DOSE, not necessary, actually had a rebound effect). Doctor said Lisinopril at 10MG can't cause constipation, uh, right....pharmacist said of course it could, small percentage of people have this result but I'm lucky to be one of them. I take 1/2 of a 25MG Toprol with 10MG Lisinopril, sometimes my BP is 90/65, other times it goes up into 130/90 range, I'm sick of being a guinea pig for the drug companies, I don't trust the FDA as far as I can throw it, and I'm wondering why all the old people in my family (I'm one of them now lolol) lived to be into their 90s and never once had a blood pressure evaluation, a cholesterol check, a triglycerides test, or any of the other stuff we are now being subjected to. WHAT DO YOU THINK? I think we're all being scared to death by the commercials on television, watch most of those drug commercials and you'll discover that almost every single one has a "side effect" that could KILL you.
595kg - I have suffered ear ringing for a long time. Yesterday, my ears wern't ringing. This morning after taking my Lisinopril, my ears are screaming. I forgot the pill yesterday and thought I needed to take it early so I wouldn't forget it. Now, I am wondering if is the blood pressure medication. Ringing is not listed as a side effect. Point is, today is the first day I put two and two together and wondered if Lisinopril was the cause of my screaming ears. It is very bad. Makes me feel nuts.
Moradeh - I too 20mg of Lisinopril for about 4 months. I experienced ringing in both ears since started taking that. But I did not relate that to Lisinopril until about 20 days ago when started to read about the side effects and comments on the internet. I am over 70 but real healthy and functional all around. I stopped taking Lisinoprol about Feb 6 (8 days now) but the ringing has not gone away. I am not happy with my doctor because he did not tell me about the side effects (mad at myself that did not ask him!). Pharmacist only explained to take that daily. After reading all these cases, I am wondeing if I wake up one day having no hearing or with big loss of hearing. I don't have any close family with loss of hearing, ans specifically my mothr who lived to 94 never had any problem. How many people are taking this and what percentage are experienceing what we have? Are all alternative drugs having similar side effects or even worse that Lisinopriol is prescribed widely?
Amylorain - i'm glad i found this this web-site....i started taking lisinopril 10 days ago, after the 4th day of taking it, i noticed i had a slight ringing in my ears...very annoying! looked up the side effects, nothing stated the medication caused this. after a few more days of the ringing driving me crazy, i am glad to read that other's have the same issues! not sure what i will do, don't think i can live with the noise! i have six kids, that's about all the noise i can stand..ha! thanks for all who posted!
Diannegonz - I have been on Lisinapril for almost 3 years and my ears are ring then it stops and I take it in the morning and the the ringing comes back and the samething happens when I take it at night Dianne from Hayward CA
Kirgeorge - I've been experiencing a high pitched ringing in my ears for almost a month now. I take tramadol on a regular basis and sometimes naproxen, so I"ve been thinking that it was either one or both of those. After reading this I am almost positive it's the lisinopril. I take 10 miligrams at night and have for at least two years. I've also taken the others for at least two years too. The ringing gets worse at night and I take both the tramado and lisinopril at night. I did stop taking the pain meds for two days and the ringing didn't stop. I never considered that it could be the blood pressure medicine. It makes sense though. I am so glad I found this site. I'm going to stop taking the lisinopril. Maybe, that will help, because the ringing's driving me crazy.
Bigbri - I also have been taking lisinopril for a few years and have a constant ringing in my ears that is getting louder every year.
Bigbri - I too have been taking lisinopril for years and have loud ringing in my ears. It is getting worse also.
Carolzonie - i just want to say that my ringing has not gone away, and it's going on 4 years now. I feel that I have adapted to it somewhat, although sometimes I just long for the days "before" i took the lisinopril. I read on blogs that caffeine and sugar make it worse, but the best advice I read was to just live your life because even though this is very annoying, it doesn't hurt, and i just hope to God that this is the worst thing that ever happens to me. (((take care))
Rem - I had heart surgery in 08, four bypasses at the age of 44. ? Was doing good for about 3 months, then started getting dizzy when I would get up or exert myself, also ringing in ears, mainly left one. It has gotten worse and this morning I woke up and noticed a loss of hearing in left ear. The heart doc put me on Lisinopril, and simvastatin. I am glad I found this site and I am going to stop taking Lisinopril for a while and see if it helps. Question: Does anyone experience the dizziness when you get up or exert yourself, or even cough hard. I have also had a cough off and on. Any info. would be appreciated. Thank You, And God bless.
Lizzyquinn - I started on BP medication over 10 years ago, think it was Prinivil? then Lisinopril. Over the years I have experienced hot flashes, heart palpitations, anxiety, dry cough, pins & needles in my left leg and arm. night sweats. I blamed everything on menopause. Heart palps get once in awhile , anxiety attacks have subsided, everything else I still get plus I HAVE TINITUS, and only recently thought that maybe it is from Lisinopril. After reading this column, I am almost positive now.
Lizzyquinn - I started on BP medication over 10 years ago, think it was Prinivil? then Lisinopril. Over the years I have experienced hot flashes, heart palpitations, anxiety, dry cough, pins & needles in my left leg and arm. night sweats. I blamed everything on menopause. Heart palps get once in awhile , anxiety attacks have subsided, everything else I still get plus I HAVE TINITUS, and only recently thought that maybe it is from Lisinopril. After reading this column, I am almost positive now.
Lizzyquinn - I started on BP medication over 10 years ago, think it was Prinivil? then Lisinopril. Over the years I have experienced hot flashes, heart palpitations, anxiety, dry cough, pins & needles in my left leg and arm. night sweats. I blamed everything on menopause. Heart palps get once in awhile , anxiety attacks have subsided, everything else I still get plus I HAVE TINITUS, and only recently thought that maybe it is from Lisinopril. After reading this column, I am almost positive now.
Zunecity - The ANSWER for many lisinopril (Prinivil-Merck; Zestril-AstraZeneca) side effects (musculoskeletal; gastrointestinal; neurological; dental; vision) is in all likelihood due to the fact that this drug inhibits collagen production. [see [link removed]]
Collagen is ESSENTIAL for the body to generate many types of tissue (Wikipedia says “collagen is the most abundant protein in mammals, making up about 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content”). No basic building block, no tissue repair or regeneration.
Now why this is not widely discussed is probably due to the fact that the worldwide market for antihypertensives is 20+ billion dollars per year and Merck is notorious for not publishing clinical trial data.
So if you are susceptible to the “inhibition of collagen production” from this medication you will have nothing but problems.
Sampsonsmom - Has anyone been lucky enough to have the ringing in the ears stop? How long did it last and did you do anything to help it to stop?
Carolzonie - to Sampsonsmom...no, the ringing has been ongoing for 4 years now. staying busy and not focusing on it helps my sanity, but i've had to give up "quiet" hobbies like quilting and reading, and my life has changed a great deal (in other ways, for other reasons). I also thought it was menopause related at some point, there's a website called "minnie-paus" i think which has some great message boards, but i know for a fact that the day AFTER i started the lisinopril, i had side effects, which is why i stopped taking it. I had read about them BEFORE i took it, so i already knew what to watch for (but didn't know about the tinnitus). I did go on a gluten free diet, and believe that controlling my weight will help with the blood pressure situation and don't have a huge trust in medical doctors anymore. I take vitamins, drink red wine and coffee for the health benefits as well as the fact that i won't let the T run my life. So I guess that means I've adapted. (sigh) best of luck to you!
Stevep_uk - Stevep_uk - Since I last posted about this problem 4 years ago the ringing hasn't gone away. I wouldn't say it's got worse but then I did stop taking the Lisinopril. Also I would mention that the ringing in my 'ears' is, more accurately in my head rather than my ears. It's hard to describe and worse when things are quiet obviously. As others have said, I think you learn to live with it and just hope it doesn't get worse.
Carolzonie - Steve...i agree. I did a lot of research on blogs, and it seems that it's the "sound of your brain" that you hear. I was tested, and my hearing is perfect. I long for the quiet I had before, and even remember my last "quiet" day. When you are hit by this at first, it's devastating, and no one understands it because they can't "see"it on you, so it's not even worth explaining. I have found out that many others suffer from T for lots of reasons, including work related ear injuries, loud music (our youngsters will find out one day) and things like that. Makes me wonder if that kind of T sounds different. I did a lot of masking at first (i pinned an mp3 player to my nightgown at night and played endless loops of crickets so i could sleep) somehow we managed though...thanks for the update!
Slimsmom - The ringing in my ears continues unabated. Some days are louder than others but I have managed to consciously block it out most of the time, or as my doctors have said, "Learned to live with it". I would advise anyone that has been prescribed this drug to talk to their doctors about possible alternatives to this medication. Although its blood pressure reducing and heart function enhancements are excellent, it is not a fair trade off for your peaceful existence without a constant barage of noise coming from inside your head. Insist on another medication if you have the option to do so.
Lschelin41 - Lisinopril caused sudden hearing loss in my left ear three years ago...discovered the cause on the Internet...the Doctors never heard of that side effect and thought it was caused by something else like a loud noise. They had me take steroids for seven days which regained most of my hearing. Then I started taking Serrapeptase and now my blood pressure is consistently 130/74 with Zero side effects. Between taking a statin (Lipitor) and Lisinopril they damned near killed me. Never again would I take either medication
Billyj - Does anyone know a definite how long it would take 3 months daily use of lisinopril to get of your system and all the side effects to stop. Its been 25 days and though Im getting a little better each day I am hoping to at least taste my food soon. THanks
Chichib - Be careful, tinitus is a sign of aspirin toxicity so if you are taking aspirin, that may be the reason instead of the lisinopril.
I took lisinopril for 1 day and started coughing like crazy about 1 hour after taking it. It is now almost 2 weeks and I am still coughing. The cough wakes me up at night even.
Hope we all get better soon.
Jenny80 - There is a great site for tinnitus sufferers called T-gone at [link removed]
My daughter's tinnitus was greatly reduced with use of their remedies.
Markymark - Mark
I have been taking lisinopril for 2 years now, about 1 year ago I started getting a swooshing pulse in my head, I went to the ed at Logan hospital and had a ct scan, but it was all clear and my gp said there is nothing wrong with you,I'm glad I found these post because I'm really sure the lisinopril has caused this tinnitus.
Denny55 - After using Lisinopril for almost two years, I have had tinnitus for over two months now. I also had a dry cough associated with this drug. It is worse in my left ear. Have stopped taking this drug and replaced with Diovan. Still have the tinnitus, and will update this post if it goes away .
Shuac001 - My doctor prescribed Lisinopril for me. I took for a week, was nauseated, couldn't think straight. Felt like I was in a dream world. My heart was slamming in my chest and I felt like I was going to pass out. They lowered dose on 2nd day to try to ease the symptoms and that is when my ears started ringing. Been 2 years since I quit taking them that week and I still have tinnitus. The bad thing is my doctor said there is no way I could be having these problems from this medication and recommended I see another provider. I am hoping a class action lawsuit will start from these problems, I would definitely put my name in the hat for reimbursement for permanent ear damage.
Denny55 - I agree with Shuac001 . I'm on board for a class action lawsuit also. I too quit taking Lisinopril several weeks ago, and still have the tinnitus. Keep me posted.
Mikelb - Mikelb- My story is very similar to Stevep_uk. I am a 48 year old male. About 5 years ago I switched from Avapro to Lisinopril because it was cheaper. About three or four years ago I noticed a slight ringing in my ears, but not much of a bother. I drive a truck, and like Stevep_uk, I figured it was from road noise and maybe age. About eight months ago my doctor increased my dosage from 10 mlg to 20 mlg, and since then the ringing has increased substantially and my ears are also feeling clogged. I just saw him March 2012 and he said the ringing was probably age and he prescribed Nasonex for the clogged ears. Out of curiosity, I recently looked up Lisinopril side effects and discovered that Lisinopril could be the cause. I wish I had thought to look this up a few years ago. I am also stopping Lisinopril and trying garlic, Arganine, COQ10, etc.
Firenicz - I just found this post after sufferering from ringing ears starting about a year ago. april2011. I also started taking Lisinopril in September. The ringing has increased. My hearing has not changed as I got hearing aids in May 2011 as they said the ringing from from the hearing loss....which seems to slight. The ringing is dricving me crazy. I ALSO have been sick with a bad, bad, cough and congestion since September and today when I called the pharmasist about the Lisinopril,, he said that coughing is also a side effect!!! I have been ill , very ill , on and off September and feed a steady diet of antibiotics and steriods!!! I am getting off this stuff right away and see if the cough goes away and if the ringing improves any, because it is way severe!!! I am 58 and a teacher and have used all my sick days with this and it has become almost impossible to teach for not being able to talk and not being able to hear!!! KEEP me posted!!!While I look for a blood pressure alternative.
Chadd - Lisinopril and other blood pressure medications are dangerous and totally unnecessary. Several studies have proven that vitamin C will lower high blood pressure safely and naturally. Just do a google search for 'vitamin C reduces high blood pressure' and read the articles. Vitamin C was effective even though the studies used a relatively small dose of only 500 mg per day, much less than the 2 or 3 grams per day recommended by Dr. Linus Pauling for preventing cardiovascular disease. Of course, Big Pharma and organized medicine aren't interested in vitamin C at all because it is cheap, unpatentable, and a huge financial threat to their high-profit pharmaceutical drugs. Unfortunately, Big Pharma practically 'owns' the FDA, so I doubt this drug will ever be banned no matter how much damage it inflicts on trusting and unsuspecting patients. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient vitally important for cardiovascular health. I would urge you to read two very informative articles at the website cqs.com. Just do a google search for cqs.com to get to the website, then click on the article Natural Cardiovascular Disease Therapy to read it, then click on Natural Statin Injury Therapy to read it.
Chadd - Most people don't realize that prescription drugs deplete the body of essential nutrients, and a deficiency of any vitamin or mineral can cause other serious health problems. Lisinopril is known to rob the body of the essential mineral zinc, and a zinc deficiency can cause a host of other problems, including hair loss, skin disorders, sleep problems, and even tinnitus. Other blood pressure drugs also deplete the body of magnesium. To help the body recover from these deficiencies, I would at least take a good daily multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. You can also take individual supplements of zinc, and two of the best absorbed forms are zinc picolinate and zinc gluconate. You can do your own internet research and decide for yourself whether to take it and how much to take.
Slimsmom - The problem with a class action suit for hearing loss and tinnitus is that the powers that be (doctors, pharnaceutical companies) do not believe this medication is causing the problem. And as far as I am aware there have been no further studies regarding this issue.
My tinnitus began not long after starting Lisinopril after having stents placed for blocked arteries in my heart. It could not have been more than a month when I started noticing the ringing in my ears. The problem is the trade off that is required for effective heart function, as Lisinopril has proven to be one of the best medications for this on top of helping to control blood pressure. But having to trade peaceful existence for it is rather a toss up as far as quality of life is concerned. So, I go back and forth about it, have learned ( for the most part) to live with it, and continue taking it.
I have significant hearing loss in my left ear and need a hearing aid but can't, at the moment, afford to buy one as they are close the $3000 each. Hopefully, this situation will change shortly as I am planning on going back to work and will have good health coverage if it comes through for me. I don't think the hearing aid will help the tinnitus, but at least I may be able to hear better with my left ear. Oddly, the right one seems to be fine although there is slight tinnitus in it too.
Andyt - I started taking Lisinopril about a year and a half ago and started getting ringing in my both ears...more so on the left. I just found this forum and now will see if my doc can change my bp med.
Slimsmom - Honestly Andyt, as fas as I am aware the damage is permanent. I hate to say it, but there isn't a lot that can be done once it has happened. Try masking at night when you sleep. I sleep with a fan running year round. I hope I am wrong, but I don't think I am.
Carolzonie - mine has never gone away but i guess i've adapted for the most part. i read in another blog that its the noise of your brain that you hear. i was tested by an audiologist, don't have hearing damage. I used to turn on a noise machine at night and mask it with ocean sounds. i keep a fan on at work or a radio which helps too. read other blogs that said caffeine makes it worse, but not my experience. the best advise i ever read was just to live your life and not focus on it. after 4 years or so, i guess i am doing that.
Sunny5 - It has been a little over two years since I took Lisinopril. I only took it for a total of 10 days, and got myself off it when I began having many strange and uncomfortable side effects. It was after I got off the drug that I noticed an increase in the level of my tinnitus, which had been very mild before. What had been almost imperceptable tinnitus now became loud ringing and sometimes roaring. Also, some time within about the first week or so after I got off the Lisinopril, I began having pulsating in my right ear.
To this day, I still have both ringing and pulsating in my right ear. I've been to several doctors, had a CT scan, MRI/MRA,and carotid artery test, and nothing has turned up. I really believe it was the Lisinopril that caused this, and it is still difficult to live with. Two years later, I still cannot sleep normally, my head has felt out of balance, and I haven't regained my old energy level. I have improved some, mostly because I've learned ways to cope, but I'm not the energetic, loving-life person I used to be. I'm trying to live my life in spite of the ringing and pulsating, and hope things will eventually get a little bit better with time.
Sarahbaby - i wish you compliment of the season with great joy in my heart for coming in contact with you and i have a special reason of contacting you which i will make known to you when i get your respond o my email address (sarahissa130@yahoo.com) there i will tell you everything about me and the reason of contacting you . SARAH
GOD BLESS YOU DEAR
Sarahbaby - i wish you compliment of the season with great joy in my heart for coming in contact with you and i have a special reason of contacting you which i will make known to you when i get your respond o my email address (sarahissa130@yahoo.com) there i will tell you everything about me and the reason of contacting you . SARAH
GOD BLESS YOU DEAR
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