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Keeping blood pressure under control is extremely important, since hypertension (high blood pressure) is a risk factor for both stroke and heart disease. Finding the correct blood pressure medication for a given individual may not be easy, however. The prescriber may have to resort to trial and error to find one that is effective without causing unwanted reactions. In many cases, the best medication may be an ACE inhibitor. But these popular drugs are not innocuous for everyone. Some people experience a potentially deadly reaction called angioedema that they must never ignore. This reader wants to know more about lisinopril.
Doctor Insists: Start Lisinopril Immediately!
Q. My doctor is concerned about my blood pressure and wants me to begin taking lisinopril. I have two questions: what BP monitors are reliable and what can you tell me about lisinopril? I would prefer a natural approach, but my doctor is adamant that I start the meds immediately.
A. We are big supporters of home blood pressure monitoring. Consumer Reports has been evaluating such devices for decades. The Omron brands generally rate very highly in their tests. Here is a link to a specific recommendation and the proper strategy for taking your blood pressure accurately.
ACE Inhibitors:
Health care providers prescribe lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) more than most other blood pressure medications in the world. At last count, over 20 million Americans were taking it. It belongs to a class of drugs called ACEis (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors) that includes:
Common ACE Inhibitors:
- Benazepril (Lotensin)
- Captopril (Capoten)
- Enalapril (Vasotec)
- Fosinopril (Monopril)
- Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
- Moexipril (Univasc)
- Perindopril (Aceon)
- Quinapril (Accupril)
- Ramipril (Altace)
- Trandolapril (Mavik)
Such drugs are effective for helping control hypertension and many people take these medications without experiencing any side effects. That’s the good news.
Side effects may include dry cough, kidney problems, headache, fatigue, sensitivity to sunlight, hand tremors and dizziness upon standing. High potassium levels can occur, especially if the drug is combined with certain other medications. Always check with the pharmacist about dangerous drug interactions.
Angioedema Is a Serious Reaction to ACE Inhibitors:
The bad news is that some people are susceptible to a potentially lethal complication of ACE inhibitors called angioedema. Fortunately, it is rare. In this condition, tissues around the face and neck can swell rapidly. Without immediate emergency treatment, angioedema can be life threatening.
The symptoms can surface within a few hours or days after starting on the drug. But even people who have been on an ACE inhibitor for months or years can develop angioedema. Although both physicians and patients may find that counterintuitive, it is a well established phenomenon. The pandemic may have made this problem even worse, because of the affinity SARS-C0V-2 has for the ACE2 receptor (BMJ Case Reports, Sept. 9, 2020).
Medical Emergency!
At the very first symptoms of swelling do not delay: CALL 911 and be transported to an emergency department instantly! Don’t just take our word for it.
Here is a report posted to our website from Dennis:
“On October 8, I saw my doctor and was prescribed 20 mg of lisinopril 3 times a day. I thought, ‘Great, now I have some meds to help with my high blood pressure.’ I think it was around 185 over 110, which the doctor said was pretty high.
“By the 12th of October, my tongue had been swelling every day to the point that breathing was getting very difficult. This was all happening by the fourth day of taking my new blood pressure medicine.
“My son took me to the ER on the 12th. The nurse in ER took my readings and said my blood pressure was in heart attack territory at 225 over 170. I was taken back to a room to be examined, as my tongue was swelling so much. Not one doctor knew what to do. I really thought I was going to die from suffocation, as breathing was almost impossible at this point.
An Induced Coma
“By this time other family members were arriving and for two weeks I don’t remember anything other than what I was later told by family and doctors. The doctors put me in an induced coma. Doctors had to do surgery and perform a tracheotomy so I could breathe during my coma.
“They diagnosed me with angioedema caused by taking lisinopril!
“During my coma I developed pneumonia and also had to be put on dialysis. The doctors told my family that they should all be nearby because I wasn’t expected to live through this ordeal. They told family members only about a half percent of patients make it through a situation like mine.
“When I woke up from my coma after two weeks, I couldn’t walk, talk, or even write a simple sentence. I started my therapy in the hospital and it sure was difficult. After great hospital care and help from family and rehab, I was able to walk and talk and write again. It seemed like it took forever, but my goal was to do my rehab and be home by Thanksgiving. I pushed hard and did accomplish my goal but I don’t think I deserved to almost die and lose two months of my life for something that was not my doctor’s fault or mine.
“When my doctor saw me next he let me know he was so sorry and told me he kept checking up on my health daily. He even cried when we talked about my ordeal. People taking lisinopril need to know about the hazards of this drug.”
Another Testimonial About Angioedema:
Dennis was lucky indeed to have survived. His angioedema reaction came on within days of starting lisinopril. Other people may let down their guard because they have taken an ACE inhibitor safely for years.
Here is Ruth’s story:
“My brother was on lisinopril for two to three years with no problems other than an irritating cough. However, last month he woke up with a very swollen tongue. By the time he got to the ER, his respirations were down to about 85% and he was having trouble talking.
“The ER called for an emergency triage and the ER doctor came out, rushed him into a room, actually helping strip his clothes on the way. They gave him adrenaline, and IVs. They told him if he had been a little later waking up he might not have made it, and that most people with this serious a reaction can end up on a ventilator.
“Don’t mess with swelling of the mouth or trouble breathing. It could be a bad reaction. We are only five minutes from the hospital, and he was terribly close to stopping breathing and ending up on a ventilator.”
Symptoms of Angioedema:
Any swelling of tissues around the face, mouth and throat are a tip-off that something bad is happening. Some people report numbness or decreased feeling in the affected area. The eyes and lips can also be involved. If the throat and tongue swell, there can be the sensation of throat tightness and breathing can become difficult or impossible. Now you understand why this is a medical emergency! Physicians who have studied this complication emphasize that once a person has experienced angioedema, they must never take an ACE inhibitor again (Current Hypertension Reports, June 8, 2018).
Abdominal Angioedema:
Angioedema is not restricted to the head and neck. Hands and genitals can also be affected. When angioedema strikes the intestines, it can cause abdominal swelling or distention and in some cases bowel obstruction. We have heard from many patients that this condition can be hard to diagnose.
Here are some stories:
“I was put on lisinopril for high blood pressure in January. That month I experienced severe stomach cramping and vomiting. I was rolling on the floor in agony. The doctor said it was most likely the flu but started me on two different antibiotics in case it was bacterial.
“A few weeks later I had another attack with severe stomach cramping and vomiting. I went to the ER, where I was given IV pain meds. A CT scan showed small intestine inflammation partially blocking off my bowel. I was sent home but returned the next day with pain that was a 10 on a 10-point scale. The doctor said that all the tests had been done and there was nothing he could do. I was sent home with pain medication.
“A few weeks later I was admitted to the hospital with increased small intestine inflammation and another blockage. After vomiting for 12 hours, I was released four days later with no definitive diagnosis.
“The doctors said most likely I had Crohn’s disease, but a subsequent colonoscopy was negative for Crohn’s. I underwent extensive tests, including endoscopy, and all were negative. None of the doctors made a connection with the drug lisinopril.
“After two months of missing work, three more ER visits and untold suffering, I found several other people who reported similar symptoms connected to lisinopril. I stopped the medication and have not had another attack. If you look on PubMed you can see reports on lisinopril and intestinal angioedema, but doctors don’t think to connect this with lisinopril because it is not listed as a common side effect.”
Another visitor to our website responded:
“I feel your pain, trust me. This reaction to lisinopril is the worst pain I’ve ever had, worse even than labor. It was ridiculous that they did so many tests and still couldn’t figure it out for so long.
“I know doctors think this is really rare. I had to look up the exact words ‘intestinal angioedema lisinopril’ to find it online. But I think when you get a prescription you should get information on all of the side effects. My doctors were considering removing part of my intestine at one point. If only they had realized sooner that lisinopril was the cause, I wouldn’t have suffered so long.”
NG experienced anaphylaxis:
“I too have been experiencing a lot of mysterious abdominal pain after switching the brand of lisinopril I was taking. After months of abdominal attacks that came with ‘allergic type’ reactions, I finally had to go to the ER because of an anaphylactic reaction.
“I saw an allergist who listened carefully and told me that lisinopril could have caused the reaction. It has now been two days since I stopped taking it and I have no abdominal pain at all. I have not been pain free for 5 months and am so grateful for an observant doctor.”
Christie reports a lengthy ordeal:
“Yes, this drug does cause angioedema. At least you were lucky enough (considering all you dealt with) to be diagnosed and treated in a few weeks. I had angioedema in my intestine and it took over two and a half months for doctors to figure out that it was the lisinopril because it’s such a rare reaction. They couldn’t believe I didn’t have the swelling in my mouth, throat, etc. as well.
“I don’t blame the doctors because not everyone reacts to medications the same. Unfortunately you don’t know if you’re allergic until you take it. There were only 22 reports of my allergy to it from 2000 to 2010 out of 80,000+ reports of various side effects.
“I wish pharmacies put the rare reactions on the info they give you about drugs but they usually only list the ‘common’ side effects. I am glad you are better. It’s a long road to recovery. I had two surgeries and spent a month in the hospital because of this medicine.”
Other ACE Inhibitor Adverse Reactions:
ACE inhibitors can trigger other side effects besides angioedema. The most notorious is a dry, hacking cough that is uncontrollable with cough medicine. This cough can be terribly disruptive and lead to vomiting. Getting a good night’s sleep can be challenging if you are susceptible to an ACEi-induced cough. To read more about this surprisingly misdiagnosed adverse drug reaction, check this link.
Ace Inhibitor (Lisinopril) Side Effects:
- Dry cough, uncontrollable cough, nausea, vomiting
- Dizziness, excessively low blood pressure
- Kidney function changes, BUN & creatinene elevations
- Headache
- Digestive distress, diarrhea, abdominal pain
- Tiredness, fatigue, malaise
- Excessive potassium levels (requires immediate medical attention!), irregular heart rhythms, chest pain
- Elevated uric acid levels
- Sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity), skin rash
- Angioedema (swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat)
- Angioedema (swelling in abdomen, severe abdominal pain)
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) requiring emergency treatment
- Toxicity to liver or pancreas
- Blood disorders
- Potential birth defects if taken during early pregnancy
- Sexual difficulties
Protect Yourself From Coughs & Angioedema!
Anyone who would like to learn more about non-drug approaches to controlling hypertension may find our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment of interest. To our great dismay, many health professionals seemingly have a hard time diagnosing an ACE inhibitor cough or abdominal angioedema. You will find many details about the proper technique for measuring your blood pressure, the best home monitors and some nondrug options for managing blood pressure in our eGuide to Blood Pressure Solutions. You will find it under the Health eGuides tab at this website.
Share your own ACE inhibitor story (positive as well as negative) below in the comment section.
Chris
Was on Lisinopril for 5 years, and although it lowered my BP VERY effectively, I had a “deal with it” attitude regarding the dry cough side effect and random tingling in my extremities. About 2 weeks ago, I started waking up at night with torrential mucus in my throat, making it hard to breathe, trouble swallowing, and wheezing. My neck hurt, and I felt something was really wrong.
I stopped taking Lisinopril right away, and on the 4th day my neck pain finally went away, and I no longer felt like I had a swollen throat. Typical guy, I should’ve gone to the ER. Not believing it to be true, I took 1 Lisinopril last night, because until I can get to my Doctor, my BP is back up to 155/100. Within 30 minutes, same thing but it was worse this time!! I apparently am officially allergic to Lisinopril. Be careful, folks, the other guy was right – I didn’t expect this after making it 5 years without a reaction. I didn’t believe it either. But my run with Lisinopril is officially over.
DD /
I am a pharmacist and had taken lisinopril for over 12 years before I had an angioedema attack. About 8:00 PM I started having allergic symptoms and by 10:00 PM my face was swelling, and I was having trouble talking. I rushed to a hospital emergency room, fortunately only 2 miles away. I was immediately diagnosed as experiencing angioedema and admitted. Steroids started and about midnight I was well on the way to recovery. Spent night in ICU and was discharged about 11:00 the next morning. I am a pharmacist and had never thought that such a delayed (12 years) reaction could occur. IT SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED DURING PATIENT COUNSELING THAT SUCH A LIFE THREATENIN DELAYED CAN OCCUR.
Crystal G
I was on Zestril/lisinopril for about 25 years. 20 mg daily. Did well until 2018 when I started developing a tremor in my hands. Had trouble eating, writing and sewing/quilting. Started researching all my script meds as well as supplements. Lisinopril listed tremors as a side effect. I went off it, checking my BP religiously. No rise in BP (retired? not under stress). and within a month the tremors had stopped.
Husband passed in 2019 and my BP went up. Doc increased my carvedilol and brought it under control again without having to use another drug.
George
Five years ago my doctor’s PA gave me a prescription for
lisinopril . Within three weeks I started falling due to lack of balance control. I also developed shortness of breath and became incontinent. The manufacturer of that drug ruined my life.
Linda
I was in kidney failure due to lisonopril just over a year ago. They were able to manage the issue w/ IV treatments, and luckily I did not have to go on dialysis. I’ve had a hard time managing my bp since that time. I now only have one kidney that appears to be operating well, so am concerned about keeping it healthy. I’ve had bad reactions to other bp meds, as well.
Jean
In my opinion Lisinopril is a bad drug and needs to be taken off the market. I had swelling of my mouth and then a harsh cough that wouldn’t subside. I was smart enough to stop taking it as soon as these problems surfaced. The safety of any drug that is made from snake venom is questionable, in my opinion.
Nancy
I’ve been taking Lisinopril for over 20 years with no problems. Scare articles like this, while necessary to inform those who may have an issue, don’t really do this incredible drug justice. For heaven’s sake give those of us who take this drug a break.
Samuel G
By what I can determine now, I had been prescribed Lisinopril and had been taking it for about ten years, maybe a few more. I wasn’t aware of the side effects, but I’ve had a booming cough – what my husband used to call a “demon cough”, because of the way it sounded – for a number of years. Also: there were several instances of throat, tongue and lip-swelling that resulted in trips to the ER from work, which I chalked up to food allergies. Doctors also blamed another drug, Nifedipine, which had nothing to do with it, as it turned out.
On November 22nd, 2018, I had just arrived home from work, when I felt that familiar itchy tickle in the back of my throat. I drank water at first, thinking it would go away, but it got progressively worse, and swelling actually started. Woody, my hubby, asked what I thought I should do: go to the doc-in-the-box at the pharmacy, or go to the hospital ER, which fortunately is only about two blocks away from our place. I chose the ER, and it was a decision that saved my life.
On the Lyft ride up to the hospital, I could feel the swelling getting worse. It became hard to talk and harder to breathe. We made it to the ER, and I remember digging out my wallet for my insurance card and I.D. to check in. And that’s about all I remember that makes any kind of sense.
What happened next I learned about much later from Woody. I stopped breathing, and the ER nurses and doctors rushed me in, sedating me with a mix of Propofol and Fentanyl as they tried to perform a tracheotomy on me, with no success. They only had about two minutes before my brain started shutting down, starved of oxygen, so they decided to cut me open to perform an intubation instead. THAT was successful. However, I was in a coma for close to three weeks, during which time the doctors’ prognosis for my recovery was doubtful at best. Several of them even told Woody that he might have “some hard decisions to make” if I didn’t wake up, or came to with irreparable brain damage.
Because the hospital we went to wasn’t adequately set-up for my care, they moved me to a different one. Once there, while in ICU, I coded twice and they had to shock me with the paddles to get my heart started again. My prognosis looked even worse at the time. I had a 50/50 chance of making it or not.
Yet somehow, I came back. The doctors who had predicted that I could be gone were stunned. And not only was I back, but slowly and surely, they came to realize I was going to recover with pretty much 98% of my faculties still intact. They did tests, and the tests confirmed it. But then my kidney function started screwing up, and concerned about possible failure, they put me on three rounds of dialysis to “reset” my kidneys. And it worked.
Moving, speaking, thinking, everything was like having to drag myself through a vat of molasses. But I had daily PT and cognitive therapy to make sure I stayed back on the right track. Woody stayed with me the entire time, as much as he could.
On December 17th, I was released from the second hospital and into an acute care facility. My stay there is a novel unto itself, but needless to say, I was more than happy when they finally released me on January 30th of 2019, not quite ready to do everything for myself, but not needing as much assistance as before for daily things like bathing, brushing my teeth or using the bathroom.
Today, I still have to alternate between a walker, a wheelchair and a Rollator. I’m steadier on my feet, but still have to work through the effects of muscle atrophy that took place while I was in my coma. And it’s much harder for me than other folks in similar situations, because I was dealing with osteoarthritis in every major joint, BEFORE all of this happened.
If you take nothing else away from my story, please consider this: if you are on Lisinopril, ESPECIALLY if you’re black, have your doctor take you off of it IMMEDIATELY. The possibility of dying from side effects is too risky to be on that stuff. Be an advocate for yourself, and insist on using something that hasn’t been derived from the venom of a poisonous pit viper (Google it – look up the origins of this drug, and you’ll be STUNNED.)
I’m more inclined to try and find more ways to administer self-care from here on in, and rely on doctors ONLY when absolutely necessary.
Kevin
Sarasota, FL
I just had my dr. change my bp meds from amlodipine because it did not seem to be working well enough and he gave me a script for 10 mg Lisinopril. I am to take one pill per day. I took one pill the other night and the next day (yesterday) I started a hacking cough that stayed with me all day long, through the night and all day today so far. Had trouble sleeping last night. I only took one pill and about 15 minutes ago I coughed so hard I almost could not catch my breath. After reading this I do not have visible swelling but my nose keeps running ongoing right now. I repeat, I took only 1 pill. That is the last one I am taking after reading these articles.
Luke
It’s funny that doctors prescribe ACE inhibitors to “protect the kidneys” yet they is also associated with worsening kidney function as well. Go figure.
Luke
African-Americans are at much higher risk of angioedema taking ACE inhibitors. How sad that doctors are ignorant and prescribe this to them by the ton. People need to get with the program and get educated because your doctor can kill you. It’s important to stop eating all that greasy crap, exercise daily, keep your weight down.
Richard
Chicago
I just started on Lisopril about 5 months ago, after a heart valve replacement, since that time I have come down with bad shoulder
and joint pain. After reading all the above comments I do think I am getting off this med light righr now. I take a 20mg pill once a day plus Lopressor for B
June H
KS
I have taken Lisinopril 20 mg for about 15 yrs now. I don’t have any swelling but I have been having a twitching and pulling feeling on only the left side of my face. It starts at the bottom of my face, by the side of my face, and goes all the way to my eye, and makes my eye even jump. People can’t always see it when it is happening but sure feels like they should. It seems to be getting stronger and drives me crazy. I have no pain or swelling just the twitching and a pulling only on the left side. Any idea what this could be ? Help! Thank you.
Eric
Huntsville, Texas
I figured I’d pass along my story which is a bit different than most. Mine, as of today, is much less severe than most who have posted. Here it is:
I have polycystic kidneys and one way for me to control it is to watch my blood pressure. I’m currently on the wait list for a kidney. Anyway, I had been on lisinipril 10mg for about 23 years and only started getting symptoms about five years ago. Thankfully, I only suffered from slight lip swelling that we could never figure out. Whenever it occurred I would take note of the foods I ate but we could find nothing. Finally, about a month ago I had the worst lip swelling ever, It was hard to even drink water as the water would run down my chin. After bothering the doctor about it we decided to stop lisinipril entirely and I have not had any episodes.
Looking back, however, I have noticed that I do not have near the amount of abdominal pain I normally attributed to normal food reactions etc. My wife thought it odd that I would have these stomach issues once in a blue but now I realize that it was likely the lisinipril all along.
Unfortunately, lisinipril did do wonders for me with my blood pressure where with regular exercise I recorded numbers in the 115/75 range. Now, I’m fighting with side effects from nearly everything else I take and these different drugs don’t really help my blood pressure much. I’m on verapamil and mow I’m developing hives on my torso and arms.
So, take note everyone. Even if you are on this drug the symptoms can show up later in life. It took over 1 years for me to start developing these conditions.
Best of luck out there and get off lisinipril.
Nancy
Indiana
My husband has been taking Lisinopril for years, but only 5mg once daily. He has been fine with it so far. In some comments I’ve read people are taking a far greater dosage two or three times daily. Perhaps that is way too much medication.
Jenny
Seattle, wa
My husband was on Lisinopril for about seven years when he had the reaction. In hindsight, we didn’t realize the signs leading up to his event. He was always coughing, blowing his nose, and I found out later that he was vomiting daily but he thought it was just from post-nasal drip from whatever allergy he thought he had.
Also, a few months before the big reaction his upper lip swelled up, and he went to a walk-in clinic. He was given steadoids and prescribed an Epi Pen in case it ever happened again. Doc had no idea what my husband had a reaction to. Fast-forward a few months, and one night I was in the living room watching tv, and he came out holding his throat and handing me his Epi Pen. His neck was huge, and he couldn’t talk. I used the Epi Pen on him and called 911. By the time we got to the ER he was in full code. The ER surgeon finally got a track tube in, thank goodness, but he was on a ventilator and sedated for a week.
He couldn’t write or anything when he awoke. He acted compulsive for weeks, and to this day he’s just a little different than before the reaction. The docs said it was Angioedema due to Lisinopril. It was horrible, and I’m so happy he’s alive.
Stephanie Richison
I took 5mg, and my face has swollen at least 8 times.
Lee
N
Had 5 doses and huge reaction. Felt like I was drowning. Tingling in tongue and lips, nose would not stop running for days, doctor told me to stop immediately . These are not just side effects but life threatening allergic reactions. This is made with Brazilian pit viper venom, that’s why it lowers BP.
Cathy Collins
Massachusetts
I have been researching this morning because I am still on Lisinopril for low grade high BP triggered by Levothyroxine that I was put on for hypothyroidism, which I didn’t have. But initial lab tests indicated I had. I have had a myriad of what I now know are side effects. One thing I was trying to get to the bottom of is why I get so much mucous in my throat. It is viscous to the point that when I eat, especially in the evening, if I swallow it is like the food pushes the mucous up in my throat, and I have to vomit it up, and often also my dinner. I am tired of being made a fool.
I take the lisinopril in the evening to avoid the effects of the headache and vertigo, not dizziness, but vertigo. The muscle and joint pain are 24-7, and I am stuck with that as long as I have to take Lisinopril, but I need to eat. I was wondering if the mucous thing was the result of a low-grade poisoning. After reading some of these entries I am convinced there is a dangerous level of ignorance in the medical community and doctors need to be re-introduced to human A&P and leave their standard protocols and profit sharing behind. Thank you for all you who share so generously.
Dee Martz
Menifee, Ca.
I have been taking Lisinopril for 13 years. In the last 5 +- years I have had allergic reactions to what I thought were nuts. My left jaw would begin swelling in the middle of the night, then the swelling would spread to my upper lip. The swelling would last up to 3 days. On Dec. 30th 2017, around 8 pm, I had a sensation in the interior of my jaw that felt like a sore throat was coming on. Around 10 pm, I felt a hard knot in my left jaw area and around 10:30 my throat felt swollen. I drove to the nearest emergency room and waited to be seen. By the time I was seen, my tongue was swollen to the point that I could barely talk. They tried to intubate but my throat and tongue were too swollen so they performed a tracheotomy on me. My husband said that I was transferred to my hospital the following day where they waited for the swelling to go down to perform a second tracheotomy. I woke up 3 days later in intensive care not knowing what had happened. I spent a horribly uncomfortable week in the hospital and am still recovering to a certain degree after week 5. I may need to go back to have some cartilage repaired and some laser treatment for scar tissue removal. While in the ER, a nurse asked my husband if I was on Lisinopril and if so, to stop taking it as she was aware of other people who had experienced the same reaction. A family member who is a nurse asked the same question and suggested we look into the side effects of taking Lisinopril. Since then, we have spoken to two people who had been on Lisinopril, one for over 20 years and experienced the same reaction that I had. I am glad that we found out what caused the reaction. I am not taking bp meds again. I am monitoring my blood pressure for my doctor and reporting the results to her her every 5 days. Frightening experience for myself and my family.
Diane E
Tracy CA
I was very close to death. It’s been 4 months since I came out of my coma. I’m still having problems. Is there a class action suit going on with Lisinopril?
Samuel G
I can’t offer any legal advice, since I’m not qualified, but if you contact me by email, I can tell you what I found when I researched the same question for myself.
Rich
Alabama
I had a very similar experience as others above. I had been on Lisinopril for several years and woke up one morning with a swollen lip. I thought that I might have eaten something that disagreed with me so I took a couple benadryl tablets and went back to sleep. I woke again about 4 hours later and my lips were swollen so large they looked and felt like they would explode. I immediately took another 4 or 5 benadryl and asked my daughter to take me to the ER. The first thing the ER doctor asked was if I took Lisinopril. I told him yes and that my throat was closing as well. That is the last thing I remember until I woke up in ICU 4 days later. I was in the ICU for 5 days and on a ventilator for 3 1/2 days. I wouldn’t have made it another 15 minutes. There really need to be better warnings given when someone is prescribed Lisinopril. I have seen too many stories like this and in seems to be taken way too lightly.
Diane E.
California
In September 2017 I had a reaction to Lisinopril. I woke up at 3AM with my tongue swelling. I got up and took a Benadryl. My tongue continued to swell so I woke up my husband and he took me to the emergency room which was about 3 miles away.
My throat was now swelling. The doctor in the emergency room had never done a trach but had taken a class 2 weeks prior. She worked only one night shift a month and this happened to be the night. She did a trach and I was then transferred to a larger facility that was more equipped to handle my case. A trauma center.
I was intubated and the physician while trying to intubate me fractured my vocal cords and trachea. He also had the intubation tube coming out of my trach that the first doctor had done. I now was taken to the ER to be intubated. They decided to transfer me to Stanford hospital by air but my right lung collapsed. I was taken over 100 miles by ambulance to Stanford with ICU nurses.
I was on life support for 9 days and had 5 surgeries. When I came to I was not able to write my name or add or subtract. They told my daughter who lives in Colorado to come prepared for my funeral. I was released from Stanford with a trach. I refused to go to a nursing home. I was so scared to get an infection in the trach. So I came home and my husband took such good care of me.
I’ve survived but still having much difficulty with joint pain, weakness, muscle and bone pain. I also had 2 DVT’s (blood clots) in my right leg when I came home. Was on Xarelto for 3 months. This was a horror and don’t wish this on anyone. Also I had taken Lisinopril for 16 years prior.
Kathy
I also have a connective tissue disease called Sjogrens disease, similar to lupus. Lisinopril made all my symptoms much worse. The joints in my hands were swelling and hurt, overall body pain increased. Dry mouth and eyes were worse. I thought I was having a very bad episode. However when I stopped the lisinopril those symptoms got much better. I have read there are discussions about whether lisinopril can cause sjogrens. I know it can make it much worse.
As a final note, on January 1, 2018 I had major abdominal pain. After ER visit it was diagnosed as kidney stone. I am in the process of dealing with this. I have wondered if this is also an after effect of lisinopril. I haven’t ever had one before.
Kathy
I started lisinopril about 4 months ago. In retrospect I believe I’ve had abdominal angioedema. In the last few weeks I’ve had dull aching pain over the pancreas area and in my lower abdomen. I had a couple episodes of painful diarrhea spaced out over a couple of weeks. This culminated with an aggressive bout of diarrhea that was followed the next day by passing bloody mucous about 6 times throughout the day. I took pictures and showed the doctor. I was sent to a gastroenterologist and he scheduled a colonoscopy and an EGD. He thought i may have ischemic colitis.I found this article about angioedema in the days between doctor visit and my colonoscopy. I immediatly stopped the lisinopril and went back on my old medication which was Ziac, a beta blocker. The next day most of my abdominal pain was gone. The feeling that i was going to die was also gone. I brought my gastro doctor a copy of this article the day of my colonoscopy. He read it as they were preparing me for the colonoscopy. He agreed that could be the cause and told me that I should list all ACE inhibitors as drugs i am allergic to. My tests did not find any cause for the bloody mucous. I also remember the last few weeks wondering why my abdomin was looking so big even though I had actually lost two pounds and feeling like my tongue was too big for my mouth. My tongue has scallop indentations on the sides from pressing against my teeth. I am feeling better since stopping lisinopril.
Darlene
UT
I took 1 pill, and it was 30mg because my bp was really high. I cannot lie down without my bp going down fast. I’ve tried everything to get it up but cannot. It’s been 36hrs and I’m afraid to go to sleep. How long until it stops working in my body?
Tammy
Biloxi,MS
I’ve been on Lisinopril 20mg once a day for 5 years,Well on Thursday evening 10/26/17 around 7 pm I noticed it looked like bug bites on my stomach that started itching then within 30 minutes there was more all over my inner thighs back of thighs and buttocks, which started itching like crazy….then my arms and hands were starting to itch and becoming red….all I had at home was cortisone cream rubbed it all over these itching bug bites I thought…..went and played down and finally went to sleep,woke up around 1130 itching like crazy and noticed my fingers were looking swollen, took a hot shower thinking this would help,rubbed more cortisone cream, went to try to lay back down…through the next 2 1/2 hours my right hand was swollen, at 3am sent my husband for some Benadryl pills and cream…took them at 330am took the Benadryl pills by this time both hands and fore arms started swelling,watching to see if the Benadryl would help by 430 am my fingers started turning blue…….I went to the ER…..was admitted….they started steroids and Benadryl and pepcid drips and then my face and lips started swelling while there—–yes they were watching for my tongue and throat to swell thank God they didn’t, maybe I got to them in time..but the week before I told them I was sick with abdominal cramps and pain like contractions with nausea and vomiting too with fever like chills off and on(thought I had a stomach bug) they told me I had an allergic reaction to the Lisinopril to stop taking it…was discharged after a day and ahalf, to continue pill form on a seven day steroid ,Benadryl and pepcid…it took over 24 hours for the swelling to go down….now to discuss this with my cardiologist and to see about new bp meds…..This was a scary ordeal that I have read could’ve ended up very wrong….these allergic reactions need to be put out there widely…..
Kelly
Florida
How come no discussion of the skeletal pain? My crash – damaged ankle was giving me so much pain that I seriously considered having it amputated and using a prosthetic lower leg. When I finally read that this was a side effect of Lisipronil, I demanded that my doctor change me to Losartan and the pain went away.
Lauryn
Iowa
I woke up three weeks ago with swelling on the left side of my face. My bottom lip was very swollen as well as my left eye. I went to the bathroom and noticed all of this. Next I had very strong abdominal pains and as I went to the bathroom I realized I was having diarrhea that would not stop. Soon I realized I was having a lot of blood come out with the diarrhea. I was scared. I knew something was wrong.
I woke my daughter up who happened to spend the night and I told her something was very wrong. She called 911. They came shortly afterwards and I was on the way to the ER. Right after I got there, I was back on the toilet with blood running out of my bowels. A man came in to take my blood and shortly afterwards I was back in bed. I couldn’t remember how I got back there. The doctors and nurses informed me that I had passed out while on the commode from too much blood loss.
I ended up staying in the hospital two weeks in ICU. They found out that the medicine lisinopril caused angioedema in my abdomen causing it to burst. The rupture in my small intestines led to the GI bleed. I passed out twice and had to undergo a couple surgeries as well as many blood transfusions because of so much blood loss.
I’m now home recovering, but I’m so weak still from blood loss. I’m just taking it one day at a time. My PC Doctor said it will take a month to get all my energy back and for me to start back feeling 100%. This was a scary ordeal for me and I pray no one has to go through what I encountered with this medication.
Jan
South Carolina
I had been taking lisinopril for about 6 years. Then one night awhile watching TV, my lower left lip just swelled up and the swelling included my left chin also. I was inclined to ignore it until the swelling just kept getting worse over the course of 45 minutes.
Then I woke up myy husband; I said we had to go to the ER. Both of us hated the thought of sitting in an ER for hours, but it was 11 p.m. and I was afraid to go to sleep as it was getting worse. The ER have me IV antihistamines; steroids and I had to remain in the ER for a mandatory 2 hours before they would release me.
Now I can never take lisinopril again because it may cause anaphylactic shock (basically it amounts to an immediate death).
My question is…does the ban against lisinopril transfer to ALL ACE inhibitors?
Ashley
Oklahoma City
Ask your doctor, but mine said absolutely no more ACE inhibitor, which sucked because they actually worked for me.
I developed a severe lip swelling SEVEN months into treatment with lisinopril. I was only 26yrs old.
The late onset reaction, and the severity of the swelling, were enough to have my medical providers put a giant red x on an ACEs in my future.
Clay
Oklahoma
I woke up about 1:00 am wanting a drink, I sipped some water and couldn’t swallow. It was apparent that my throat was swollen. I tried to speak all I could do is grunt. My tongue was about the size of a baseball and I could hardly close my mouth. I went to the ER, they took me to a treatment room, the Dr asked me 2-3 times if I took lisinopril. I had been talking it for over 10 years. All I could do was grunt weak yes. I began to caugh and the next thing I remember was waking up in ICU . I had been on a respirator for 2 1/2 days. My wife showed me pictures of me with a tube down my throat. I was told if I hadn’t gotten to the ER when I did, I could have died. I had an irritating rash around my midsection and mildly swollen hands and feet for about 3 weeks. My Dr. changed me to Nifedipine which so far with no problem.
Rudolf
Colorado
I was prescribed lisinopril in January to treat high blood pressure 180-110, discovered in a dentist chair. After 7 months It only had a marginal effect on my blood pressure, so the doctor prescribed increasing the dosage gradually from 10 mg to 15 mg (cutting a pill in half to add) to eventually build it up to 20 mg per day.
During the first 7 months, I developed a raspy voice and difficulty speaking. But thinking nothing of it, suspecting just a flue. But then, after 3 days of being on 15 mg, I experienced extremely painful constipation, loss of voice and breathing problems. I finally wised up and did an on line search on lisonipril’s side effects. I was shocked what I found since it described exactly what I was experiencing. I immediately discontinued taking it. I self remedied the bowel problem with drinking high dosage vegetable oil. Did more research on alternative ways to treat hyper tension and put myself on a combo of Hawthorne, L-Arginine, CoQ10, Turmeric, Curcumin, Beet. After only 1 week doing that my blood pressure came down from 180 over 110 …..to 135 over 70. Needless to say I am continuing this regiment. My raspy voice is still there after not taking Lisonipil for 2 weeks now, but getting better. After all, that snake venom, where lisonipril is derived from, takes time to leave the system.
What big pharma and lisonipril could not accomplish over many months, was taken care off in a short time by doing it the natural way. Without the potential horrible side effects. Yes, I did spent 100 bucks in the health food store for a months supply, but gee, it has been worth it. Of course everybody is different. And not everybody reacts the same to either a pharma drug or to the above alternatives. But in my case it was worth it to discontinue lisonipril and try the alternative way. Hope this helps somebody.
Samuel G
Can you send me a list of what supplements you were taking and in what amounts? After my Lisinopril ordeal, I’m ready to get off of ALL BP-regulating drugs, and try something all-natural.
Michelle
WI
I have been taking lisinopril for many years. Just (08/17) recently I had an episode where I woke up to get ready for work to find that I could not open my left eye!! My left eye and face was swollen. I attributed it to a reaction to a new medication I was prescribed a few days earlier. So I went back to the doctor that prescribed the new medication and he was shocked, but could provide no answer as to why my left eye & face was swollen. Then early this morning 09/10/17, I had swelling of my lips, face, cheeks, chin & started to notice a little difficulty swallowing.
I immediately went to the ER. The ER doctor asked if I was taking any blood pressure medications like an ACE inhibitor/lisinopril. I immediately replied yes. He stated that ACE inhibitor medications have the side effect of angioedema. Well after a shot of epinephrine, I.V. medications of Pepcid, Benadryl & a steroid, my swelling started to subside a little. After my 3.5 hour ER stay the ER doctor was able to discharge me to home, but reiterated with me to stop taking my lisinopril NOW because he thought the lisinopril was causing the angioedema! Why after so many years would I react now? His response was “there is no rhyme or reason to a reaction to a medication sometimes, just please do NOT take any more lisinopril!” Well needless to say I am done taking my lisinopril.
To anyone that reads this, please do NOT take any swelling to the face lightly, seek medical attention immediately before it progresses to breathing difficulties!
Carmen I S
Rhode Island
I have been on Lisinopril for years. For months Im been having serious stomach pain and diahrreas all the time. Heart strong palpitations. Yesterday, half hour after taked the Lisinopril, my lips, face and neck swollen.
The ER doctor said that was a bad reactión to that Medicine. After months of lab tests and studies. My head doctor donsnt know yet what is wrong with me….
Sylvia
Michigan
I feel the need to speak out about my recent experience with lisinopril….for about a month now…i have had a weird headache that just came out of nowhere…also ive felt confusion and depression.
No specific reason for any of these symptoms..just a overall bad feeling come over me. I’ve also had puffiness in my eyelids…and swelling in my feet. And also…I gained 15 pounds out of nowhere since I wasn’t overeating.
I also have experienced major hair loss….another symptom. I believe this medication is responsible for all of my sypmtoms..and I have discontinued it. They say it takes 3 to 4 days after stopping it to have it out of your system but even up to 2 weeks. I am waiting to feel better.
Cate
Bethlehem PA
Many comments on the problems from using Lisinopril. Has any one any information about whether monopril is the same, or could it be better? My cardiologist prescribed monopril in 1998, and I am still taking it, 10mg daily, only problem seems to be the throat issues, some coughing. I tried to find information online about monopril vs Lisinopril, but there is no intelligent discussion of the possible differences.
It seems as if everybody is prescribing Lisinopril by robotic default. Does anybody prescribe monopril these days? years ago, the twerps in the cardiology office substituted Lisinopril 10 for my monopril, without asking me or telling me why, after I called for a refill, and I was sick instantly after the first day I took lisinopril, with severe “cold” symptons. After digging around, I realized that giving a patient 10 mg of Lisinopril is equivalent to 20 mg monopril, and was equivalent to doubling my dose of ACE inhibitor. I was furious.
Never got a good explanation for why someone would take it upon themselves to substitute one drug for another. Not to mention prescribing while ignorant of the starting dosages of each drug. My excellent cardiologist left that practice, and soon thereafter, so did I . Just because both are ACE inhibitors, does not mean they are exactly alike. Meanwhile, I see that Dr. Healy in his book Pharmageddon points out that the earlier class of anti-hypertensives called thiazides is superior to all the faddy new stuff that has replaced them — including the ACE inhibitors.
He is talking about the antihypertensive action, not any of the other issues for which ACE inhibitors are prescribed, ie, my husband is on them with heart failure, and when we stopped his Lisinopril for a week, because his blood pressure was too low, his heart failure symptoms returned.
Lena
NV
I have been taking Lisinopril for 6 weeks. I started having “asthma cough” about a week ago. Woke up this morning and though I had mosquito bites – no they were hives. Got to work at 7AM, talked to my boss, went to my office, logged in and I started getting itchy and my tongue started swelling.
At 7:15, I took a benadryl. At 7:30 our company driver was taking me to the hospital – my tongue encompassed my mouth it was so huge and my throat started to itch. Half way to the hospital I told driver to Hurry now. He drove like speed racer to the ER. Got me inside and I couldn’t talk and breathing rough.
They got me back, started 2 IVs, and shot me in the thigh with an Epi-Pen. I was fortunate – it took an hour for the meds to start really working and before I could swallow. But then by third hour I was getting discharged to go home.
Dr. said a lot of people aren’t that lucky. That with the “pril” drugs you can take for 3 days or 5 years and one day your body starts to reject. When it does it goes into anaphylaxis… deadly.
Kris
MI
I am so glad to have found this site today! I am a 48 year old female on lisinopril for about 4 years. About a month ago I developed pretty sudden onset of a puffy face with lots of swelling around both eyes extending down the right side of my face to top of lip. One doctor put me on a steroid and the symptoms mostly resolved but returned after stopping the medicine.
Finally went to my 3rd doctor today (ENT) who mentioned almost in passing that it could be my lisinopril. He said it can cause swelling of soft tissues. I was surprised that a problem could pop up suddenly like this. After reading your comments, I believe I have angioedema from lisinopril. I am stopping this drug and hoping to see resolution of all symptoms.
Stacie
MN
My husband has been on lisinopril for quite a few years. Yesterday morning, he woke up with a extremely swollen tongue. After getting to the ER within 1/2 an hour, his throat swelled shut and had to be intubated in the OR.
He is currently in the ICU and has been sedated since with a breathing tube. This medication was the cause and it can happen at any time when taking it and with no advanced warning!
Kay
My ex-husband was prescribed Lisinopril last week for his high blood pressure. Well, 2 days later he was in the ICU with a chemically- induced coma. The swelling has not gone all the way down yet, and he is having trouble breathing. Please beware of this drug! Right now we are praying that he makes it.
jj
alberta
Joan- June 27/2017- I have angioedema that causes swelling in tongue, throat etc. Appears it was brought on by anxiety and once relaxed, swelling occurs. Edema now has gone “internal” ( don’t know where ) but episodes now are sudden spikes in blood pressure ie- 159/100 in an instant. I do NOT have high blood pressure- in the ER was given Captopril and Alteplace- immediate severe angioedema. Doctors familiar with this advised “Do Not take high bp meds that end in “pril or pricil” and others similar . When this happens I take Atenolol. Because I take them for angioedema, not high BP, it really lowers pressure too much and usually take 1/2 pill. Angioedema also can do the reverse and lower pressure too low with another set of circumstances. I cannot take Ace Inhibitors, NSAIDs and several other drugs if even a small part of their make up contains restrictive meds. You need to research angioedema, be proactive in your care and BE CAREFUL what you take… an anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) given for my arthritis, put me in the ER with swollen throat 1 hour after taking it….. trust me you will have difficulty relating to the doctors if you are that 1 in a 100/1 in a 1000/ 1 in a million that reacts to meds….
kay
I am very wary of going to the doctor unless I have to show up for insurance purposes. I watched my mom and her sister get overdoes from meds and evantually kill them. I like having a dr on hand if needed for something, but he wants to give me meds that just cause worse problems and side affects.
San
NC
I was given 5 mg Lisinopril last week after having a left & right heart cath. My doctor said it might help my heart valve … mitral heart valve. I’ve only been taking it 3 days and had the worst leg cramp i’ve ever had friday night. And it still hurts today (Monday morning) Didn’t have them before I started taking this medicine. I don’t think i’ll be taking it anymore.
Ann F
Tulsa, OK
Finally someone mentioned leg cramp. Behind my right knee really hurts. An unusual place for a cramp, but it just started a few hours after I took my first Lisinopril 20 mg for high blood pressure.
T.w.
Wisconsin
On April 12th i went in to the hospital for a busted blood vessel in my abdomine and i have high blood pressure as well but at the time i had complications with my insurance so i wasn’t getting my meds to treat my blood pressure. I got nursed back into good enough condition to come back home. I was prescribed lisinopril for my blood pressure.
So, I get home and I start taking all my meds and I did notice that for the next four days I had a dry cough that just would come out of the blue and it was a small cough. I ignored it because i read it was a side affect but if it got worse to see my doctor.
Then on the fourth day, I took the lisinopril in the morning and my top lip started swelling just a little. I thought it wasn’t anything too serious until it gradually started getting bigger. By the time the afternoon hit it was huge and i was dialing 911. I get to the emergency room and they gave me an iv and i got a dose of benadryl right away by the time they had finished with my clothes and iv and questions my face neck and tongue had started to slightly swell as well.
At the end of the ordeal, I was diagnosed with angeodema and told to never take lisinopril again in my life because it could be fatal. I just hope that anyone who is taking this medicine to please take precaution and pay attention to every little side affect because every minute counts.
MAXINE LANE
OK
I decided to change Doctors and when I did my blood pressure was high, so he decided to add Lisinoprail. After taking it for 3 day, I went to work on a Friday morning. I had fixed my coffee and took 2 sips.
I my lip tingling on the right side and the first thing in thought STROKE. When I got up to look in the mirror to check my face,I felt a great go through my body and felt funny. My boss called 911 and they went through the signs of a stroke and nothing was common.
911 came and took me on to the hospital because it was not subsiding. My lips was swelling and every time the tingling was happen it was like it had legs and was walking through my face. My tongue did not swelling nor throat, and I am so grateful. I never have experience any thing like that before. Now I know any medications that ends in (pril)
Is not for me.
Andrea
Buffalo Ny
I was giving (lisinapril) about 8 months ago , I already have asthma and hbp , I am really concerned about this medicine , I have a lot of health problems and I don’t want add anymore I’m really scared to take this medicine ..
T.w.
Ask your doctor to change your medicine if you are afraid to take lisinopril you never know it could possibly save your life
Bill
New York
I was taking lisinopril for about 8 years with no noticeable side effects, just a cough that wasn’t too bad. It worked very well at lowering my BP to about 75-80/118-125, great right? Well a couple of months ago for no reason at all my upper lip started swelling up. It was winter so I was not stung and i had nothing unusual to eat that day. I took 2 Benedryls and went to my dr. He gave me a shot of epinephrin and some prednisone.
I went home and the swelling very slowly went down. I saw my allergist a couple of days later and he tested me for some of the things i ate that day, no reaction. During discussion i told him i was taking lisinopril 20mg once a day. He knew right away that it was causing this angioedema and that i should stop taking it right away. I’m so glad that i found out about this but now i think i will never take a BP prescription again and am searching for natural ways to keep my BP down.
Anne
Charlotte, NC
When I needed cataract surgery in 2014, the doctor wouldn’t do it because I had extremely high blood pressure. So I went to take care of that and was told I also had Type 2 diabetes. They gave me lisiniprol 20 to take once a day. Almost immediately my feet started tingling and burning, to the point I could hardly walk. And my fingers felt like bees were stinging me. I could not function – even combing hair and brushing teeth were difficult, not to mention writing and using a keyboard. I told the doctor I thought the meds (I was taking five) were causing it, but she just said, “No, it’s the diabetes,” and wouldn’t let me stop. But I was in such pain for over a year, I finally just quit taking it on my own (with pharmacist’s input), and although I still hurt, saw probably 75% improvement.
I switched to another doctor, and he put me back on lisinopril, over my protests, at 5 mg per day, telling me it was a very low dose and should not cause a problem and would “protect your kidneys.” It wasn’t long before I noticed my feet and ankles swelling – doctor said, “It’s the diabetes” and told me to wear compression stockings. Then I realized my lower lip was constantly swollen and chapped. Doctor told me to go to eye, ear, nose and throat clinic and let a specialist see my lip (I didn’t). And tried to push me to increase the lisinopril to 10 mg – because he takes it himself and it works great. When I told him it made me cough, he said that such a low dose “should not cause coughing.”
Six weeks later, I went back and complained of the same symptoms and got the same answers, And my ankles were the red color and size of small watermelons – I had to wear bedroom slippers. So I just decided to stop the lisinopril. It’s been three days now, and ankles have gone down and my lip is no longer chapped and numb. It may be that symptoms will return, but it’s hard not to think they were caused by this drug, in spite of the doctor’s assertions, including that “It’s only such a tiny amount.” BTW, blood pressure at last check was 130 / 80 – I think I can live with that.
alvin
Illinois
i had similar symptoms as the other users of lisinopril. and am male, age 88. i have taken lisinopril for 10 years…i think this was a bad idea.
VIOLET
New Orleans
In November 2015 I was prescribed Lisinopril for high blood pressure. I had only taken the new medication approximately 2 days when o the 2nd day my stomach began to hurt very badly, so I thought I was having hunger pains so I tried to eat but could not and later that night the pain began to be more excruciating and my tongue began to swell. I felt like I wanted to urinate, went to the bathroom and could not.
At this point I called a nurse friend of mine and she told me to get to the ER. Once there the nurse at the front desk asked me if I was taking Lisinopril and I told her yes. They rushed me into the back and began to work on me. I stayed in the hospital for approximately 2 days, with acute renal failure……I will never take another ACE inhibitor again.
Lesa G.
PA
My husband has taken lisinopril for 3 plus years. He recently underwent a severe back operation. A few weeks later, he started to experience swelling of his tongue and face. He was having a very hard time breathing took him to the ER. They admitted him and was given him Steroid and and another med to stop the swelling.
He spent 3 days in the hospital and came home. He has continued to have swelling of his tongue, it is going on the 3 weeks. He was to take hydrocortisone 20 mg and Benadryl 25 mg 3 3x aday. He has also been seen by his PCP and still having swollen tongue and throat.
He stopped taking most of the medication. His body is used to the hydrocortisone because he has Addison’s disease. So it has been over 3 weeks. He has continued to have the symptoms and has lost a total weight of 40lb due to not being able to swallow any food or tried protien drink. How long can the swelling last?
Tony
Seattle
I had the experience last night. I went to the VA emergency and they seen I was on lisinopril and immediately administered care. I have take this med (lisinopril) for over 3 years and didn’t know it had those adverse effects. I wish this was brought to my attention before I started it. I feel better now. Additionally it appears to be the source of the stomach muscle cramps.
-Tony
fred m, md
atlanta ga
I had been on Lisinopril for 15 years. one week ago, awoke in the middle of the night with the start of tongue swelling. I had my wife race me to the E.R. and notified that we would need anesthesia and ent to get a airway. By the time I got to E.R., my tongue was pushed out of my mouth. They were able to get a airway tube down my nose to larynx for an airway. Without the prompt action, my time was short for this world. I am a ENT doctor and knew what was happening. I thought that I had been on the drug for so many years, that I would not have a problem. Wrong!! I would not recommend this drug to anyone.
AnklePainForever
Colorado
I’ve been on lisinopril for three years with no side effects I thought. Last summer I got a freak ankle sprain stepping off a curb… Kind of like jamming a finger, but instead my ankle. Got an ankle boot, iced , put foot up, crutches, and boatloads of ibuprofen for two months. Finally ankle started getting better but then the other foot started hurting in top of ankle joint and side joint. Another month on crutches and constant rotation of ice, heat soaking, elevation. Finally improved.
Doc went from claiming gout to “just another sprain.” Now I’m not so sure reading all of these stories because a couple of weeks ago I was coaching my girls basketball game and my knee started feeling tight. “Great!” I thought. Here we go again with a knee jam. Thank goodness it’s not my friggin ankle again! But here I sit at 2am agin for the third week in a row with my foot elevated because my stupid ankle joint is in pain. The knee was fine in a week. Only a little swelling and I’m sure it will be at least better for me to be functional by the time I wake up if I ever get to sleep. Tomorrow night at 11pm the ankle pain will return. Could this be a rare side effect of lisinopri? I thought maybe I just had some kind of loose tendon disease or something.
Marilyn
Wisconsin
AnklePainForever – I had the exact same thing but I was not on Lisinopril. Turned out to be my parathyroid. Check your calcium – if it is over 9, check your vitamin D-25 level. If that is low go to an endocrinologist to figure out is you have parathyroid problems. Don’t let them tell you you have hypercalcemia and that we will watch it for a few years. Go read about it. I had two bad parathyroid glands and a large thyroid nodule and my doctor watched it for 13 years before I diagnosed myself and got help from the clinic at Tampa General Parathyroid Clinic. My bones were dissolving and my doctor told me to take more calcium. Wrong. Get another doctor.
Gertrude
North Carolina
I am in the hospital with a swollen face from the medication. Blessed the doctor knew what was wrong when I Walk in. It has been 3 days and my lips are slowly going down. This medication should be taken off the market and not prescribed to African Americans. It seems to affect them more.
Jeff
Minneapolis
I am amazed at learning about this and now feel like a revelation happened. I went in to Urgent Care yesterday with severely swollen lips and had had throat swelling the night before, which did respond to Benadryl. One look, and the Dr. thought it was Lisinopril, and ordered me to stop taking. Got the steriod shot, but no pills because of diabetes worries.
Swelling subsided within 30 minutes, and now, 24 hours later, almost back to normal.
Reading up on symptoms, this might explain the distended abdomen I’ve had for several years. I’m heavy, but have lost weight while waistline grows. I’m anxious to see if this angioedema reduces in the abdomen over the next few weeks. Anyone have a clue as to how long that takes?
I’ve been on Lisinopril for 10+ years without having this swelling happen. But, I did have a change of manufacturer to include a diuretic about a month ago. Hmmm.
M
Ohio
I’m experiencing edema in both legs, ankles and feet. Hard to walk and drive. Been taking Lisinopril for 5 years given steroids within the last 3 months excessive swelling, skin hot unbearable to walk. ER visit again, stopping Lisinopril on my own.
Donna
Fleming Island FL
I am very grateful to have found this site that clearly explained the side effects of lisiniprol. I have been on this medication for over ten years. I have many of the side effects described but not until earlier this week did I have any swelling.
On Monday, I was very uncomfortable around my lips and believed it was chapped lips but nothing was making them more comfortable. By Tuesday, they were worse and I could see some swelling. Products as simple as lotion made my lips feel like they were on fire.
Wednesday came with additional swelling and I was becoming concerned. I knew if there was no improvement by Thursday than I would head to my PCP. Upon awaking, I hardly recognized myself from the swelling and it was now in my eyes and swallowing was becoming harder.
My hands also had additional swelling than their normal. When my doctor entered the exam room, she knew exactly what this was….lisiniprol. I received a steroid shot of prednisone and sent home with a script for 7 days.
My face is half as swollen as yesterday. I am also NOT to take any more lisiniprol!! My biggest wonder is how many of my symptoms from the past year are related to this medication. I look forward to see if my other issues improve. My last comment is to say the my Doctor told me how very grateful she was that I came in yesterday….I asked why….and she said let’s not even discuss that, just know you came on time. Until now, I have never heard of this medication causing any side effects????
Keith Mckenzie
Central Florida
I consider myself fortunate after reading these accounts. I too have been on Lisinopril for a couple of years. One morning with no change in my diet or habits, I went from a normal upper lip to one that increased in size about 300%. I was at a loss for the cause as I racked my brains to determine if it was something I did, ate, or anything. I tried Benydril which was ineffective. I was concerned but did not consider it an emergency as no other part of my face, head or tongue was swollen. I went to Urgent Care and the Dr. immediately diagnosed my problem and put me on a steroid Methylprednisolone. This is the second day and I am still swollen, but at least I know why. He said to cease the Lisinopril which is an Ace inhibiter and to take an Arb inhibiter, more expensive, higher dosage but he said no side effects. I will get the word out to my community as it seem half the population is on blood pressure medications.
Keith (lucky in Central Florida, 1/12/17)
Maria garza
Seguin texas
I was admitted to the Hosptial with my eyes swollen shut because of lisinopril and my tounge I could not breath I can barley see right. Ow just click on side effects for this drug and thought I would share my story I’m sorry if anything is messed spelled I’m trying hard just to get the word out I hae pictures
Mila
I’m allergic to ace inhibitors and my father passed away from allergic reaction to ace inhibitors Feb 1st of this year. I wish there was a lawsuit we could file against whomever is making this pill, because there are people passing away from this medicine and having bad side effects that can be deadly!!
patsy c alford
North Carolina
i was in the emergency room with my son who was sick with something else and i fell asleep in the emergency room when i woke up my tongue was swollen up real bad at first i though it was my tooth that cause my swelling but the nurse ask me what of blood pressure i take i told i was taking lisopril and she said that what was cause my lip to swell.
Gertrude
North Carolina
This medication show not be on the market. I am not a patient with my face swollen and it’s been 3 days and very little change. I was not told that this could happen. Now, I am told it is high in African American. Totally disappointed that they would give this to a patient who is high risk.
Asata K
Georgia
Please let me know if you found out
kay
new braunfels, tx
I have had tingling and numbness in legs and feet and finger tips since i started lisinopril about around 6 years ago. I have shortness of breath if I walk up hill or too fast too long. Is this a symptom of side affects from this BP med?
Cheryl
Wayland, NY 14572
My husband was put on lisinopril 10mg and just a few days after starting the medicine his stomach started to hurt…then his throat started swelling up, unable to swallow and very sore.Went back to his doctor and was told he had a virus & remember that i said his throat was almost swollen shut. Two days later he got worse so I called the doctor and he called a steroid into our pharmacy. Helped a bit but he continued with swollen sore throat and he was exhausted and slept most of the time thinking he had a virus. After seeing his doctor who told him it was a virus (about 2 weeks after the same doctor prescribed the lisinopril) he got worse and we went to the after hours clinic at the hospital. A PA, not a doctor said that the lisinopril dosage was a higher dose than he would have prescribed. Went back to his doctor who said that it was the lisinopril that was making him ill and had him stop the medicine. He is still coughing, choking, exhausted and can only be up and about for two hours before he gets exhausted again. He has now been sick for about 6 weeks and has no idea when and if his good health will ever return.
Patti
Ny
I was taking lisinopril for many years. About once a month the palms of my hands would become hot, I would get tingling in my arms and legs, the proceed to have diarrhea and vomiting at the same time. I would then break out in a sweat, like someone poured a bucket of water over me. Then came the lip swelling, tongue swelling and throat closing. It would all last about 45 mins to an hour. I never went to the ED but in hindsight I should have. The attacks started coming closer together and a friend told me her brother had the same symptoms while taking lisinopril. I stopped the immediately and have not had an attack since. All this time I thought they were panic attacks.
Valerie W.
Birmingham,Alabama
I was taking Lisinopril for a while. I started coughing all day and all night. The cough got so bad I was urinating on myself. I was spitting mucus that was clear and bubbly. That went on for a long time. This medicine should be banned, and we all should be compensated for the agony that we experienced.
Tanya
Randolph, MA
I have been taking Lisinopril 25mgs for several years. I am on vacation with my family from MA. We drove to Virginia Beach on Saturday for a few days. My lips started swelling after I had an orange powerade. I assumed it was from the powerade and purchased some Benadryl from the local CVS. I took 3 25mg capsules and went to bed. I tossed and turned the entire night. I woke up at 5 am, and my lips and chin were larger now than they were before I went to bed. My sister drove me to the ER. Upon admission, the nurse asked me if I was taking Lisinopril. I asked her how did she know that because I didn’t tell her what medications I was taking. She stated it is a common side effect with individuals taking lisinopril. The doctor confirmed what the nurse said and told me to throw away my Lisinopril. She prescribed me a new blood pressure medicine and told me to follow up with my pcp when I return home. I think doctors should inform their patient about the side effects of any medication they want to prescribe to their patients.
Becky
Alabama
I had taken Lisinipril for several years with no problem. Then May 9,2013 I was in the hospital for a minor reason. I was given my Lisinipril that morning but my blood pressure was still high. The nurse came back a little later and I don’t remember anything after that. My neck had swollen and she immediately called a code and I had to be entubated.
My blood pressure fell so low they thought I was going to die right then. Thank God I was at the hospital or I would not be writing this. I was completely sedated for the first three days the. Awoke with mittens for fear I would try to remove my vent.
I was in ICU and had multiple complications. I was on a ventilator for 21 days. I developed pneumonia in both lungs, had a feeding tube, my central lines became infected, infiltration in my IV’s, and each time I was close to getting moved to a room, another antibiotic had to be introduced.
My skin began to fall off the back of my body and the discomfort and not being able to talk was so overwhelming. Thank goodness for a Versed drip! After 21 days I had a tracheotomy and had the trache for another 20 days in a step down unit.
The effects of the constant anesthesia and many drugs and not brushing my teeth for 5 weeks ravaged my body and lots of my hair fell out for months afterward. I spent 6 weeks in the hospital and had to have physical therapy to begin walking again. I passed out during my first shower although it felt wonderful! I now tell everyone that my allergies are Lisinipril and ALL Ace Inhibitors. Remember, I had been on this medicine for at least 5 years. It can happen at ANY time.
shirley
Knightdale, N.C
My only child nearly died as a result of the drug – Lisinopril. She too experienced anagioedema. of the stomach. with swelling of the mouth.
The FDA needs to get to work asap. Someone is going to lose a life because of the drug.
Tangela B.
bowling green ky
I just had this same reaction last week. My lips swelled so bad and I was admitted into the hospital overnight!
Lynne
United States
I had a horrifying experience yesterday. I’ve been taking Lisinopril for about 7 years now for my High Blood Pressure and it was doing good but the last few weeks my Blood Pressure has been fluctuating in the double, Triple figures but yesterday it was 201/130 and my neck was swollen and my air passage was partially closed off so I went to the ER and they told me that it was allergic reaction to the Lisinopril and gave me a shot of Morphine which relaxed my neck and shoulders and actually eased the swelling off. It scared the heck out of me. This is what my Mother takes for her BP but at least we know what to look for or if she starts having weird symptoms, we know to look at this…
John
Lithia, Fl
My husband almost died from taking Lisinopril due to angioedema. This drug should be taken off the market. The cases of such reactions are becoming more numerous. The FDA should follow up on these cases and remove it from the market.
Alice
Statesville, North Carolina
I was given lisinopril last year and experienced angioedema of the abdomen. I spent a Friday night in the emergency room with my sister. The doctors tried to tell me I had chronic colon disease, but after stopping the lisinopril, the problem slowly went away. I only took two doses of lisinopril. Kept feeling worse. Belly swelled up unnaturally. The doctors told me my intestines were swollen but absolutely would not admit it was angioedema. I was 48 years old. I’m scared of heart medications now.
Pat
I am age 76. Been taking Amlodipine (calcium channel blocker) 5mg. then pushed to taking an additional 5mg. by my primary care physician.
The dosage doesn’t lower my blood pressure that much. It’s usually any where from 139 to 179/90. The doc wanted to add Benazepril along with the Amlodipine. I researched the side effects of Benazepril and didn’t pick up the RX. Benazepril has many of the same side effects of Amlodipine: headache, dizziness, sleepiness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, abominal pain, feeling sick (nausea), ankle and foot swelling, (oedema), tiredness, dry cough, sneezing/running nose caused by inflamation of the lining of the nose (rhinitis), visual disturbances, double vision, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), altered bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, (being sick), numbness or tingling sensation in your limbs, loss of pain senation, hair loss, increased sweating, itchy skin, red patches on the skin, increased need to urinate at night, joint or muscle pain, back pain, muscle cramps, swelling of the gums. I’ve had most of these side effects, and I’ve looked into natural cures: beets, beet juice, garlic, onions, lemon in water, grapefruit juice, hybiscus tea, lemon balm tea.
If my blood pressure stays around 140/80 I’ll be happy ,as it is not any lower with the medication. Thank you for your comments, and good luck to all of you with trial and error with these medications where there is no list of common side effects, or rare side effects. I had to do my own research online and in the library. The book on “Hypertension and You” by Dr. Mann gave me an explanation of the extreme peeing during the night. Until I received the info from the book, I thought there was something wrong with my bladder(infection). When you lie down in the evening, the water retention in the lower extremities travels back into the blood stream and has to be eliminated by the kidneys. My doc didn’t know anything about it. All he says is “all medications have side effects”! killer side effects!
Ray
Nevada
I have been taking lisinopril for about 2 years. In Feb. 2016, I had a lot of trouble sleeping and late at night, I had severe itching late at night until I managed to fall asleep! Late in February, I had my first episode of severe vomiting that went on for 3 days about 2 hours apart! In May, the same problem with the vomiting. Now in June, I am experiencing the same thing! I am looking for an answer. No swelling but a very runy nose when I am about to start vomiting! My vision blurs badly, as well!
Virginia
CA
I also have been taking lisonopril/20 mg once a day and have not had any side effects. However, are there herbal or natural substitutes for this drug? What can be used in place of this drug?
VLB
Janice B.
Superior, WI
My husband was on Lisinopril for years, in pill form. Then, one day – he had to be admitted to the hospital and was given Lisinopril in IV form. The mess hit the fan! He had an adverse allergic reaction where he had gone into anaphlaxis and had to be rushed by ambulance to another nearby hospital. They stabilized him, but he was in a drug induced coma for 9 days. Needless to say, he does NOT take Lisinopril anymore.
Mona
Florida
I was on lisinopril for a few days and started having eye problems. I could not figure out what, just that I was having problems reading. Went to eye Dr. and he found no problems. Went home and read side effects of lisinopril and found “swollen eyelids”! Stopped med and was fine after that.
Anne
Matthews, NC
Do ARB’s have the same effect?
Nat
Texas
I do not question for a moment that these events have occurred and can occur. To keep things in perspective, what is the frequency? What percentage of users have these types of reactions? If we say, “taking the medication is not worth any risk”, then I don’t think any of us would take any medication, and perhaps die from the condition the medication is intended to treat.
Becky
It can happen at ANY time. I spent 3 weeks on a vent and 3 weeks with a tracheotomy due to my neck swelling. I had taken Lisinipril for 5 years and no problem. If I had know these possible side effects and read the horror stories on the Internet, I would have changed my meds before this happened.
Harold
86314
Angioedema should be given to the executive board of all the leading pharmaceutical Corp’s. They could learn first hand what they have ignored about ‘Joe’ public who had to learn the hard way. FDA would save a great deal of money, and so would the stock investors, realizing what the potential profits would be after offsettings by law suits. The turn over for High Quality CEO’s would be very profitable even for the FDA, and ‘Joe’. We can not solve problems using the kind of thinking that created the problem. Rushing to resolve issues is a problem consumers would not have to resolve, nor should they. Yet, if they must, they may change the course of responsibility, and creators will have to justify trying to crawl in the eye of the needle.
Kristin
Pacific NW
I’ve been taking Lisinopril 20mg for 8 years. It’s done a great job managing my BP. I work out 3x a week and eat a mainly veggie diet. 4 weeks ago I cut my lip, next day it was moderately swollen. Went away. Then two weeks i’d wake up with my upper lip swollen. I thought allergies or the cut irritated. I was partially right. Then this week both lips were both really swollen. I looked like a bad botox/collagen job. The thing is, nothing else was affected. Today was the worst as they have become itchy, cracked and won’t subside with ice/heat packs as usual. The doctor immediately knew it was a reaction to Lisinopril and switched out for another med. The thing is, when I researched it online everything but angioedema came up.
Nancy
Florida
My husband was given a prescription for lisinopril 5mg once per day. He took the first dose on a Tuesday night before bed. By 10 a.m. the next day his lips and lower face had swelled at least three times their normal size. Called his doctor who said to stop taking the lisinopril and take him to the ER if his throat or tongue showed any sign of swelling. Fortunately, the swelling did not progress to his tongue or throat and Benadryl is relieving the facial swelling.
It’s looking like he will pretty much be back to normal at the 48 hour mark. Husband is African-American, so I’m a little surprised he was given even a very low dose of lisinopril considering African-Americans are at a greater risk of lisinopril-related angioedema. While the doctor knew exactly what was happening when he got on the phone with me, the nurse who first took my call at his office sounded as though she didn’t think the lisinopril had anything to do with the swelling.
I had read the insert that came with the prescription and told her that the lisinopril had to be the cause. For such a widely prescribed medication, it surely seems like there needs to be more awareness among patients and healthcare professionals of these serious side effects.
Shelby Martinez z
Pueblo Colorado.
My first encounter with the sister medication of lacinapril called Ramifil was anything short of a nightmare . My doctor prescribed Ramapril to assist my blood pressure. After only taking Ramifil for 4 days I woke up with my lips swollen. I thought my lips were going to explode. I went to the er right away. The Dr came to the conclusion that it was a reaction to Ramapril . Thank God there were no long term symptoms. Never took another pill. Now, a year and a half later my Dr gave me lisinapril. Not thinking that the two drugs were related i started taking the pill I had just taken a pill a day for 3 days and my lips started swelling. Went to er . they were thinking it was a food allergy. Was admitted to the hospital. Prior to the lips swelling I developed a dry hacking cough. Dr told me it was allergies. While I was in the hospital I remembered the incident that happed a year and a half ago. I never took another pill. Now I’m hoping the cough is not permanent. If you are allergic to lisinipril. Don’t take any of the pril meds. They will probably have the same effect.
J.
kansas
My husband was put on it for diabetes, and he is now in the hospital with near fatal angio edema. The metformin has caused him to have lactic acidosis too. What the heck is going on with these new drugs??? Is no one testing them thoroughly? His health is severely threatened right now by all these magic drugs that were supposed to be so wonderful.
Allen
I’ve always had high blood pressure even as a teenager. I didn’t start taking meds for my blood pressure till I was in my mid twenties and over the years I have taken taken different types of pills for it. So about a year ago I got stationed in Italy and the doctor put me on Lisinopril, during that time I found my self always tired, and started to gain weight. Well about 7 month in taking the pill I notice my face looked puffy and then the next day it was worse and I had a hard time waking up. So I stopped taking the pill and was able to make an appointment 6 days later . In those 6 days I losed 12 pounds, I’m guessing it was water my body was storing. The doctor told me I had angioedema, I am now on a different blood pressure meds. If I would of known how serious my situation was I would of went to the emergency room. I count my self lucky that nothing serious happened to me.
Paul
40475
I thought I was dying and the doctor kept saying my symptoms where not a known side effect
Judy
Melbourne FL 32940
Lisinopril should be taken off the market if reactions are this bad don’t you think? I was on Lisinopril for 2 years and had just finished eating at a little fav dining spot. We came out of the restaurant and were in the parking lot when my throat suddenly started swelling and I couldn’t talk or barely breath. My husband thought I must have choked on the dinner mint or something and I could speak what happened and was trying to back away because I didn’t need a maneuver …I wasn’t choking. Someone in the restaurant ran out with small chips of ice which I immediately put in my mouth to see if swelling would go down and it did just enough so I could breathe.
Followed up with an allergist and he immediately knew it was the lisinopril and said my primary dr should have known when I had complained a few times of swollen glands usually in the evenings because he said lisinopril was known for this.
Anyway, now I do not take Ace Inhibitors. And I had some heart problems about a year ago and hospital drs were going to prescribe this again…and I said no, I am highly allergic to this drug!(I gave them that info from the beginning and during my trip to ER!) It could have killed me! And now I have to carry an epipen too and found out too I am allergic to penicillin too. Don’t they write your allergic reactions in RED on your charts or what anymore! …they should!
Thankful
Tennessee
I’ve taken Lisinopril for several years with no major problems except some light headedness. The last few months I’ve experienced bouts of severe nausea and vomiting. Complete misery. Then last night my lips started swelling out of control. My upper lip touched my nose it was so big. My tongue and cheeks were tingling. I took 3 Benadryl but no relief. My son them took me to the ER and the doctor knew right away it was Lisinopril related. I had to get an IV of steroids and other histamine inhibitors. Slowly I recovered. Am still on steroids. My primary care doctor did not know about the possibility of this side effect. I shudder to think what would have happened if I had not gone to the ER and had taken my usual evening dose of Lisinopril. I could be dead or brain damaged from lack of oxygen. Thank God He watches out for me and “nudged” me to go to the ER! I’m looking forward to no more nausea and no more anaphylaxis!
Wally
Mi
Hello what are you taking now
Debra
Moorestown, NJ
Just last week, I had an allergic reaction to Lisinipril after taking it for over 2 years with thinking I was having no problems. My whole face, lips, eyes, cheeks swelled beyond recognition. It took a few hours to get really bad, but my family took me to the ER , and thankfully got me there before I had any trouble breathing. The doctor knew immediately that it was Lisinipril when I told him I took it. I had to be admitted to the hospital for a few days to be treated then released under the care of an allergist and even a cardiologist to monitor me for some funky heart arrhythmias. I was so surprised at the side effect of this drug, because my primary physician really never warned me to look out for any of the symptoms, and he is always so good about these things! Anyway, I’m very thankful I am ok now, and have epinephrine on hand in case I ever have an allergic reaction again. It’s such a frightening experience and life threatening. Please be aware and talk to your doctors about any and all medications prescribed to you and your family members. Thank you for reading my story.
frances
I took lisiniprol and had uncontrollable cough….sounds like a good thing I got off it. It took months after stopping for the cough to be completely gone. I am very sensitive to medications and have had to stop all ace inhibitors period.
lois
USA
I am so glad I came across this. My son has been put on 20mgs of this and he can’t stop coughing. He isn’t going to be taking this again.
Billy
Mo
I have been taking lisinopril(10 mg) for mild high blood pressure for several years with no major problems. Then last night before going to bed I took my meds including lisinopril and noticed my mouth area started to feel numb. I went to bed and woke up with no feeling around my mouth. I got up and looked in the mirror and I looked like chimpanzee. My lips and cheeks around my mouth were greatly swollen. I put an ice pack on the area for about an hour and no results. My wife then drove me to the emergency room, where I was hooked up to an IV and given several drugs. The ER Dr said it was more than likely an allergic reaction to the lisinopril. He gave me two prescriptions and released me. Told me to stop the lisinopril and see my regular Dr as soon as possible. I am home now and the swelling has gone down some but still not back to normal. Scary night.
Linda
Florida
I started Lisinopril 20 MG 1 tablet a day about a year and 1/2 ago. In the last few months I’ve begun having memory issues and some confusion. I have had my thyroid removed (3 surgery’s over several years. ) The last surgery was a few years ago. I have an appointment with an Endocrine specialist in January (1st available appointment). I’m wondering if these memory issues could be related to NO thyroid or possibly the Lisinopril? I’m 72, still work – because I enjoy it, but am concerned about my memory issues.
Kristin
Are you taking a thyroid replacement med?
Lisa
Ca.
I lost my partner of 15years. He was on Medical and treated at the local county hospital. He was on the same drug you are talking about. He died 9-9-15. As had happened before after lying down to go to sleep I could hear moaning. Ran into his room. He was saying I can’t breath I feel like my stomach in in my throat. He was on oxogen and took the mask off asked me to crank it up but he couldn’t get any oxogen. I called nine one one. Last time they came and transported him he was in the hospital This time they didn’t get to him on time he died in bed and they wouldn’t try to revive him. I’ve always thought it was an alergic reaction but none of the many doctors or visiting nurses picked up on it. They gave him a rescue inhaler for wheezing which we never used as he never had wheezing per say. I am left wondering if it would have saved his life. I hope they take this medicne off the market all together. Yes he was recently put on potassium that had side effects too. As I wan’t a legal spouse doctors ignored me. I surley miss my friend. and lover.
Tracy
I began Lisinopril about 3 months ago. I developed the slight dry cough initially. I was initially happy that my blood pressure had decreased, however; then my blood pressure started creeping up and my dosage was doubled. I developed ear wringing, welts on my fingers and my cough worsened so much that I was having trouble at work and it would lead to vomiting. I had developed allergy like symptoms so bad that I never have had, so much congestion that my ear drum burst. I have relayed all of this to my doctor who kept focusing on my development of allergies and not lisinopril, I even told her I thought it could be the lisinopril. She diagnosed the welts on my fingers as a sign of too much hand-washing as I am a nurse, I’ve never heard of such a diagnosis.
I stopped the medication on my own. This medication has serious side effects which need to be made aware to MD’s to be aware of symptoms. I will seek medical advice as to other medications to assist with high blood pressure.
Charlene
Ringgold, GA 30736
I took my 85-year-old mother to the Emergency Room today. She has been on Lininopril for a month. This morning her tongue started swelling. The ER doctor said that the Lininopril caused the allergic reaction. They gave her a steroid through her IV and gave bendryl in IV.
Sandra
Texas
Did your mother get over the allergic reaction? My 85 year old mother had a very similar reaction but her swelling did not go down. She passed away 14 days later.
barbara brandt
new jersey
I have the cough again. I was off all my blood pressure meds for about one month because I suspected the pharmacist was correct and the doctor I was seeing was wrong. She did an EKG and said I was having trouble breathing and gave me inhaler. I went back on ace inhibitor and another medication I took for years for high blood pressure and started stomach cramps, problems with bowel and urinating and decided to eat less. Then the cough came again and vomiting and choking. Had fatigue and exhaustion for months. Was in a clinic and asked for help with osteoporosis (advanced in hips) and no help. Went to doctor, same thing. I though the fatigue was due to that. I have to keep on working in my yard and in my house (old house) and so I plan a day around how long I can work before I have to sleep or at least stop and rest. No doctor for two years has helped with the osteo. A clinic in Princeton said I could have shots for that but every time I came in to get the shot, no one knew about it. I was only allowed to join for 6 months because I had Medicare and they did not know if they wanted to take Medicare in a Clinic to help residents with low income. Absurd! I brought in my bone scan but only the nurse that wanted to give shots saw it. When I begged for some help with the osteo, they told me to come back in 3 months. By then, I would not be a member. Now my spine is in big trouble and I need a back brace. I am hoping I can qualify for QMB and get help with the cost of a doctor. But the problem with the blood pressure has increased now. I have no doctor any more. I will try to go to Hunterdon Medical Center for help but I live in a different county so not sure I will qualify for their program. Meanwhile, no more medications for high blood pressure or hypertension.
Regina
Pooler, GA
I took Lisonopril 10 mg for one week. The first couple days I was super happy to see my blood pressure go down that I ignored a sort of sick feeling I was having. I figured it takes a little while to get used to mild common side effects until they go away. It didn’t go away and it got worse. I couldn’t tell what part of my abdomen was hurting. At first I thought I might try to help myself move my bowels but that didn’t help with the increasing pain in my abdomen. I tried eating less since I felt like I was so bloated but the pain still increased. I tried drinking a lot of water and still no relief. The pain became so bad my coworkers became super concerned. I finally gave in and researched Lisonopril and abdominal pain. I immediately stopped taking it. I went to my Dr and told her all my symptoms. She took an X-ray and I’m still waiting on results. I also told her that it was two days of no meds and tummy feels better but not exactly right yet. My blood pressure went right back to where it was. I mentioned my birth control pills and she said she it’s up to me if I want to see if blood pressure goes down from stopping all meds. She seemed so confused about the abdominal pain and stated that Lisonopril doesn’t cause intestinal problems. Maybe I’m her first patient that this has happened to. Today I woke up with sore muscles as if I worked out with weights. Makes me wonder if my heart muscle is sore too. I feel drained and tired. Also today my tummy doesn’t hurt.
Virginia
CA
Lisinopril almost killed my partner. He had off and on swelling, fainting spells, angioedema, itchy swollen throat at times, vocal changes due to swelling, all symptoms starting with being prescribed lisinopril. I told his doctor and he saw him and was prescribed epi-pen. However, he had symptoms once more and then despite administering epi-pen and benedryl, paramedics coming and treating him, and ER further treatment, he had to be intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. SO, doctor did not spot it–drug store did not flag that this reaction could happen when both sertraline and ACE inhibitor prescribed, and partner was loathe to go to ER, while also believing the epi-pen could “cure” him.
It is admin. epi-en, AND call 911; always be seen in a med. setting; review all medications; at the very least speak to your pharmacists.
There can be various combinations of symptoms, random occurrences, and different causes BUT I’d rather be safe than sorry. Report the symptoms immediately if taking any meds, call an advice nurse if in doubt, ALWAYS call ER when having to use EPI as it is just an emergency measure with two doses beg the max you should deliver, and if you feel your throat swelling, move on this FAST!
Carol A.
I Do NOT have high blood pressure. My Dr put me on lisinopril for my diabetes type 1 which is very much under control. No pills . She also said I should take a low dose aspirin daily. I have after 2 weeks developed a slight cough and today a headache and had to have a nap. I am 63. My dad became allergic to aspirin in his late 40s and he also had congestive heart failure. I’m not very happy about the reason I am even taking this drug and worry that it will possibly cause me more harm than good?
Carol A.
Seattle Wa
My Dr put me on for a 30 day trial. I DO NOT have high blood pressure. She said that as a type 1 diabetic under super control no pills it is recommended along with a small dose aspirin. I am worried that since my Dad was allergic to aspirin his tongue swollen and this was in his forties and he also had congestive heart failure that this drug I don’t even need. I do have a slight cough since starting lisinopril and today I have a headache and needed a nap. I am 63.
The People's Pharmacy
Lisinopril can cause cough; be sure to ask your doctor more about the benefits and risks of this regimen.
Natalie
Iowa
I started lisinopril a week ago, the first 3 days I was dizzy even when I was laying in bed I was way way tired, I kept on taking then hoping to feel better once they got through my system. But I get pain in my knees and cramps in my stomach, and for the last 3 night I can’t sleep, I feel tired but can’t sleep I lay there tossing and turning, I have also been in a sad and depressed mood crying and don’t know why. I am 28 years old and my blood pressure is normally 170/120 I have been on a couple different pills omg, it takes so long to respond to starting a new pill and I’m tired of being tired.
Angela
Texas
Following this thread for updates.
Patty C.
75061
Have been on Lisinopril for 6 wks. Have a bad, bad dry cough. Was taking 10 mg and have started breaking it in half for the last 2/days.
3 days ago I woke with a stiff neck, and it seems to be getting worse. Is this a side effect?
I get dizzy going out and don’t feel good in general. Doctor is on vacation. His fill-in called in Lasarta. After reading about effects, I didn’t pick up the prescription. Now I don’t know what to do. My cheek hurts, too.
Forgot pill yesterday, and my blood pressure got very high !!! Its 4 A.M. and it’s up again. This is a nightmare !!!
Robin
Denver
I had been taking Lisinopril for several years without any problems. One evening a couple of years ago, I developed severe anaphylaxis with no warning. I had difficulty breathing and lost control of my bowels and bladder. When my family saw my swollen face and lips as well as my mental confusion and filth they called an ambulance. I was hospitalized for 3 days. My allergy tests confirmed it was the Lisinopril. The reaction can take just moments.
I know most people don’t get a reaction like this, but, my question is why risk it? There are other drugs. What I remember clearly was the EMTs talking and asking questions. I didn’t feel like answering them. They were annoying me, and I just wanted to be left alone. Finally one threatened to intubate me. I just said “no”. That was all they wanted. My doctor told me later, that kind of apathy was a sign that I was dying.
Anna
United States
I was on Lisinopril 5 mg for a month and a half for HBP. Sitting on the couch one afternoon my lips started to swell and it felt like the dentist injected lidocaine to numb for a tooth extraction. I went to the ER and the doctor immediately diagnosed a Lisinopril reaction. I was given a Benadryl shot, prednisone, and pepcid (antihistamine). My lips swelled so that I looked like a “platypus”. Hopefully the swelling will go down. Now I have to search for a new b/p med-hopefully I can find the right one with no side effects.
Jeanne
United States
My husband was prescribed Lisinopril 40mg. He took it for two days and stopped two days and still doesn’t feel well. I have never seen him this ill. That dry cough I keep reading about. Severe stomach pain. Vomiting. He says it feels as if he has been poisoned. His BP did come down, but the side effects are too bad.
Hayven
Tacoma Wa.
After I started my Blood pressure medication I began having severe stomach pain and diarrhea. I called the Pharmacy and they told me it wasn’t the medication,I was confused cause I’d never had anything like this before taking the meds. I decided to stop taking it for a few days and it went away,I’ve kind of lost trust in my doctor since when I looked up the medication it said it caused stomach problems and both the Pharmacy and the Doctor said it didn’t.
Beverly
Missouri
I had taken Lisinopril for 6 years. About the fourth year I began having muscle spasms in my upper back at random times. I had X-rays taken and nothing was wrong. I tried the chiropractor and I would get relief from the pain for that day. Then one day the spasms started and were very intense and the spasms started in my back and I could feel them going down my arm. I could not move my arm that day and the pain was intense. I stopped the Lisinopril and by the next day I was back to normal. I realized it was from the Lisinopril because I went on the web site “Ask a Patient Medicine Ratings & Health Care Options” and found others with muscle spasms. Now I take alternative medicine for blood pressure.
Jilbear
NY
I will make this as short as possible. I was put on lisinopril last year in May. By the end of the month I began having weird stomach pains and unexplained nausea. I tried some OTC stuff at home and when it wouldn’t go away, I called my doc to see me. This was now beginning of June. She didn’t like the sound of it and I asked if it could be the new BP med or the new diuretic. She said she doubted it but she changed my diuretic! She sent me for a gall bladder ultrasound and 3 days after this, I went to an ER with severe abdominal/intestinal pain and bloody diarrhea. A CT scan showed severe colitis. They all thought I had food or water borne illness. I never had anything like this in my life! After pain meds, antibiotics and lots of blood and stool tests, they couldn’t find anything wrong with me and I had no poisoning. They sent me home and I had to follow up with my GI Dr. I followed a bland diet. I scheduled a colonoscopy. 2 weeks later, I tried eating veggies and fruit again and started symptoms again. Went back to GI. Moved colonoscopy up and got meds to deal with cramping. Colonoscopy in August was completely clean. Everyone was scratching their heads. I poked around on the web about lisinopril and found out about ace inhibitor induced small bowel angioedema. It sounded like what happened to me! I decided, on my own, to stop lisinopril. My doc said I had to increase my beta blocker but I could try this. Well, 3 days after stopping pills, ALL symptoms went away! I could eat normally and had no bowel problems or severe stomach aches. Within a week I was myself again. My dr did not put much stock in what I told her. I just saw a cardiologist and he said “oh, I’ve never seen a case on that in all my years of practice”. I don’t care what they think. I know lisinopril caused my acute colitis. Now, I want to spread the word so I can help anyone out who has or is having similar reaction.
B.Grant
I HAD high blood pressure until I took a concentrated, liquid Resveratrol/antioxidant supplement.
Now I no longer need my blood pressure medications.
~B. Grant, R.N.
Hayven
Thank you so much for telling your story, I have recently started going through the same thing with this medication, severe stomach pain and was told exactly the same that it couldn’t be the meds, I stopped taking my medication 2 days ago and right away I’m better, I’ve lost all trust in my doctor, why would he lie to me. Pretty scummy
GW
My husband had been taking lisinopril for years with no adverse effects but one morning we woke up with horrible welts covering his entire back. It itched a little but looked horrible. We didn’t know if it was a food allergy or what. He is not prone to skin or food allergies. We went to urgent care & they thought it might have been something he ate. They gave him an antiacid & told him to see his regular physician. The doctor was not sure what caused it but changed his BP medication and the welts have never come back.
Lou G
With all due respect to CRL. Anyone that had coughing problems for 8 years should have wondered if something was wrong, unless they were smokers. Those of us that don’t have problems with Lisinopril, as I stated in my comments 07/22, are fortunate. However, if I suddenly develop a medical problem I certainly will try to find the cause as I have a weakened immune system so am susceptible to to whatever will cause a problem. If I have to get a second or third opinion due to a persistent problem I would not wait 8 years to see another doctor.
art
The symptoms that you are describing are the most common (1-10%) listed for Atenolol (a beta blocker) and less common (
MAXINE H.
A few years ago all of a sudden my blood pressure went up and I had to start taking blood pressure meds. Also I found out I have heart valve problems, and an ultrasound found one kidney had atrophied. An MRI, that divulged a renal artery had stopped up some time along the way, so for all intents a purposes I have only one working kidney, am taking 3 blood pressure meds, losartan, carvedelol, amlodipine, and calcitriol, a form of vit d and calcium I think, and also 2-3 times a week 20 mlg, of furosimide[ lasix] and 10 meq, of potassium.
I am under cardiac Drs. care and also a renal physician. I have to have a big blood test every six months now, it was every three months, to monitor my kidney. This has taken a toll on me as I am now not steady on my feet, always, and I fell over a year ago and fractured my pelvis and broke a rib and had a concussion all in one fall, so be careful if you are unsteady as you will fall, and I nearly killed myself.
Was in a rehab hospital for two months learning how to walk again. All in all a miserable time, I feel this has shortened my life, I come from long lived ancestors, but I feel like I will not make it to 90 as some of them have, including both grandmothers. I am nearly 85, and was in very good health until all this, so be careful everyone as you can be in a very scary position in one fall. Medicine is good when its right, but I took lisinopril also and had a terrific cough and insisted to my Dr. to give me anything but that, and he did, so I had none of those things that lisinopril can cause except that cough and it was short lived as I insisted I would not take it.
Also I do not sleep well and I think its too much medicine that I am taking, my Dr. is going to re-evaluate me and see if there is something he can do. Your input is welcome “People’s Pharmacy”, I would appreciate any advice from the two of you. Thanks
CRL
I read the scary stories and the comments form the one who said this should be balanced with success stories. I was one of those who misguidedly thought I was a success story because I was on lisinpril for 8 years and it did lower my blood pressure but I had a persistent cough that I didn’t relate to it and my doctor never told me that it was the lisinpril that caused it. He prescribed cough syrup and had me going to the pharmacy downstairs in his office that didnt’ give insert information so I never made the connection til I got on Medicare and had to change doctors (because he didn’t see medicare patients).
Thank GOD! My new doctor told me that the cough was a side effect of lisinpril. In the meantime, the constant nagging cough had caused me to wet myself/incontinence (old doctor prescribed for that as well) and a hernia (mild but still could have been avoided) from all the coughing.
New doc switched me to losartan. Cough went away after 8 yrs!. I got off meds for incontinence, threw away cough syrup and sleep like a baby.
So don’t be lulled into thinking you are a success story for lisinpril just because you’ve not had a major event. The little things that don’t seem connected can hurt too.
pp
Is Lisinopril the only medication that reports this problem, or does this occur with all the ACE inhibitors?
art
Sotolol is a Beta-Blocker not an ACE Inhibitor. The condition for which you’re taking it are very different from those who are taking ACE Inhibitors. Beta-Blockers have an entirely different side effect profile. Check with the Pharmacist where you get your Sotolol filled for full information about side effects and indications.
Lou G
I too, have been taking 60 MG Lisinopril for many years. When I first began, I was dizzy for many hours during the day and didn’t know why. Eventually my body apparently got used to it and the problem went away.
Earlier this year I was prescribed Gabapentin as even though I had lumbar surgery in May 2012, I still have back pain and problems with the left leg. The Gabapentin made me very dizzy also so I only took it at night until I got used to it. Then I took it again in the morning and I’d get dizzy for several hours. I wouldn’t take it if I had to drive anywhere. Now, I have no problem taking both Lisinopril and Gabapentin in the morning.
I’m very happy to read about the swelling problems so if I develop any I will immediately go to the emergency room just in case. As I’ve stated in this forum many times before, not all symptoms of different medications affect all people, nor does medication help some people as it does others. In any case, this forum brings to light problems people have and remedies they find here. But it also highlights potential problems like this possible swelling using Lisinopril even for folks like me thaat have taken it for years. For that I’m grateful.
Nancy V
About 19 years ago I was taking Lisinopril for my high blood pressure. It didn’t seem to lower it so the M.D. added a Calcium Channel Blocker to the mix. Three days later I experienced severe swelling of my throat. It closed up so severely that I felt like I was being strangled; I could not talk enough to make an emergency phone call.
This might sound nuts, but I recalled my mother giving me honey for croup when I was a child. Fortunately I had some honey, so I groped my way into the kitchen. I kid you not, the honey reduced the swelling and I was able to call my brother who took me to the hospital. After 3 days of observance I was taken off the Lisinopril and put on Norvasc.
Fast forward to current BP issues. I have been on Amlodipine for years. A year ago Atenolol was added to the mix because of a misdiagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation. I have had swelling and tingling in my lips and even my feet but the M.D’s say, “oh, you must stay on the BP meds; they are helping you. It’s not a common side effect of Betas!” I guess you have to go to the emergency room before the doctors are willing to change whatever it is they prescribe!
DCL
I am now 83 and in pretty good health, but have been taking BP meds, A calcium channel blocker and a beta-blocker. My BP seems to stay about 130/70. Years ago, I was put on Altace, I had a peculiar reaction and my Dr did not believe me. I had so much coughing and mucous that I had to occ. vomit the thick stuff up. Dr tried the Prenisone pack plus an antibiotic of some sort. No help, wanted to try Prednisone again. I changed Drs went off Altace, no problem since. So far the B Blocker 7 CA Channel Blk. has seemed to agree with my system. Meds are like anti depressents, trial and error, in my opinion. Wish, I could drop them all. I have refused most, including statins. !4 years go, they made me weak. I exercise quite regularly, & I am active. My legs are still weaker than they should be.
S.H.
I have tried multiple times, sometimes a year apart, to take lisinopril; reason: it was $3 a month and Diovan was $80+. (I ended up on $58 losartan).
Eventually, I get that horrid cough; you know, the one that sounds like a circus seal. One time, I went almost two months using the generic that Walgreens dispensed, before the cough took over my 24 hr a day life.
If I could describe the way it feels, it might help some one else to recognise the symptoms. It feels like a Tarantula is crawling down and up my throat and esophagus area. Now, I’ve never had a tarantula in my throat, but if I ever did, THAT is what it would feel like! When it hits, there are no warning signs; I just grab my throat/neck area and the horrid coughing starts and the spider/creepy/crawlie feeling begins. Sometimes, I cough until I gag…and worse…..
JWR
Several years ago I took one of my mother’s Lisinopril tablets by mistake. I had a severe reaction including swollen face and neck, difficulty swallowing, and abdominal pain. I went to my doctor and he prescribed a regimen of Prednisone which quickly reversed the reaction. He knew exactly what to do.
frances
If you have that bad cough reaction to lisinopril chances are you will have it to other ace inhibitors…. I have been intolerant of every blood pressure medication I was ever given and had to stop them. The only one I can take is Coreg or the generic version carvidilol ? not sure of spelling. I take a very low dose or I have breathing problems. I have tried to slowly increase it over the last eight years but no deal, I do take coq10 and hawthorne at times because of my intolerances. The worst bp medication I ever took was Norvasc… it was so bad I made a list of the side effects I had and there were at least a half dozen. I have asthma and am allergic to sulfur so that narrows down what I can take.
art
Use celery seed and also, cacao to naturally lower your blood pressure.
Dorothy A.
I’m feeling lucky. In 2013 having been on lisinopril and an ACE inhibitor for 3 months, I went to the ER after living with a persistent cough for weeks. I couldn’t sleep or stop coughing.
After various tests and stopping the lisinopril the cough faded. At least all I had was the cough, not the swelling. After I started the coughing I had looked lisinopril up on the internet and finally found the coughing side effect listed and stopped taking it. While in the hospital the doctor said I should stop taking it. Duh!
D.M.
I’m a regular reader of the column, and it seems like ACE inhibitors, Beta-blockers, and statins are almost always in the crosshairs of yet another installment, warning us of serious side effects from these drugs.
I’m ambivalent about all this, because on the one hand, I really dislike the “pill for every ill” mindset of so many medical practitioners and other health care professionals these days. And yet, so much of the “evidence” implicating these drugs for causing serious side effects seems to be anecdotal. Particularly maddening are the stories which do not provide dosage information. Seems to me there’s a HUGE difference between consuming 10mg/day and 40mg/day of a statin, for example. Some goes for the ACE- and beta- drugs.
Also, it would be helpful to know what the odds are of actually suffering these side effects. What percentage of ACE-inhibitor users, especially at low dosages, suffer any side effects at all? I’m guessing it’s very, very few.
gail
I am taking sotolol for heart rhythm AFib. Its it an ace inhibitor and could I be affected like these other people?
frances
Regarding lisinopril… I know four people in my own family that stopped taking it because of the bad cough. I was taking a low dose and still had to get off it. When I started it the cough was not mentioned as one of the common side effects, now it is.
C. F.
I was on low dose Ramipril for 3 years before being awakened one night with angioedema. It can happen anytime over the course of taking this med.
art
I’ve always been on the upper end of the normal blood pressure range. Prior to sinus surgery about 4 years ago, the Doctor performing the surgery put me on Lisinopril, an ACE Inhibitor per hospital protocol a couple of weeks prior to surgery. The surgery went fine and, I stayed on the Lisinopril for several months until I noticed some very disturbing and persistent dreams at night.
I looked up Lisinopril and found that it’s derived from,”snake venom”, so I discontinued it and the dreams went away. Recently, I was undergoing a cardiac sonogram from a Cardiologist prior to being fitted for a “sleep guard” device by my dentist. The Physical exam showed a slight elevation of my blood pressure on the normal range. The Cardiologist gave me some “blood pressure” medication samples to try. They were “Calcium Channel Blockers”. I took one dose and nearly passed out! I discontinued those as well and returned them to the Doctor. My sonogram and other tests all showed otherwise, normal.
hjl
Just for updates
Penny H.
I started taking Lisinopril around 1999 after steroid shots raised my blood pressure and I was also taking another blood pressure medicine. My PCP retired and I started going to another doctor. I convinced her to stop the other BP med but not the Lisinopril. My current BP runs 95 to 115/55 to 70. My new doctor says the Lisinopril has another good side effect and that I should keep taking it. This scares me because I live alone in a senior apartment complex. I’ll definitely be showing this article to my doctor when I see her next time.
AHD
I’ve been taking Lisinopril for 4 years and now your comments have me very worried. Shouldn’t you balance these reports with success stories?
PEOPLE’S PHARMACY RESPONSE:
Dear A.H.D.,
We specifically have asked for comments (both positive as well as negative) so that there will be success stories too.
Please go back to the beginning of the article and read this statement:
“Such drugs are effective for helping control hypertension and many people take these medications without experiencing any side effects. That’s the good news.”
For those who do not experience a cough or other side effects, ACE inhibitors like lisinopril can be safe and effective.
Patients must be alert for the symptoms of angioedema, even if they have taken such drugs for several years. That is the point of this article. Many people are not told what the signs of this life-threatening condition can be and might delay going to the emergency department. We hope this information will alert them to take immediate action if swelling occurs.
PLA
I wonder if red hibiscus tea, a natural remedy for hypertension, could also be problematic for these potential side effects? It is my understanding that the antihypertensive mechanism of action for hibiscus tea is thought to be an ACE inhibitor similar to lisinopril.
I started drinking 2-3 cups of red hibiscus tea daily for blood pressure, and also because it’s caffeine-free and I really like the taste. But I was also using the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), which, as you know, involves daily consumption of 8-10 servings of veggies and fruits and a couple of servings of low-fat dairy. This is a large intake of potassium, which is probably one of reasons that DASH diet lowers BP. But I began having severe muscle cramps, and since the hibiscus tea was the only new addition to my diet and supplement regimen, I re-read info about it. I learned that ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia, and muscle cramps can be a symptom of elevated potassium. I have used DASH diet successfully for years to control my BP, despite being obese and sedentary, so I chose to stop the hibiscus tea. The problem muscle cramps resolved. I occasionally drink a cup of hibiscus tea at night when I want a caffeine-free warm beverage, but I will rely on some of other natural approaches (beets, dark chocolate, lots of leafy greens, low-carb/low glycemic diet) in addition to DASH diet for BP control.
Thanks for all the helpful info you guys bring us.
blk
About five years ago I went to the ER and was diagnosed with hyponatremia [low sodium levels]. I had been taking Lisinopril for several years with no pronounced side effects. Stayed in the hospital for a few days with an IV and went home. It was a hot August, but I am not a jogger or marathoner.
Two months later I was back again with hyponatremia. Another IV, then release; my PCP had no ideas and wasn’t even curious.
When the symptoms reappeared two months later, I refused the ER, sat down at my computer and googled for hours. ACE inhibitors suppress angiotensine, which affects not only blood vessels, but also signals the kidneys to balance your electrolytes. No help here from the medical community so I swore off Lisinopril for two weeks, walked into an urgent care, asked for blood work. Electrolytes (salt) were normal.
The only person who acknowledged the problem was a local pharmacist. It’s documented more widely now, and seems to occur mostly in the elderly. The MDs weren’t even interested in looking for a cause although the pharmacists did care.
JFR
This is a really scary story! I have been taking lisinopril for years.
I am elderly and my blood pressure runs anywhere from 150/80 to 190/90 even with the lisinopril: 10 mg twice a day. I tried several drugs before lisinopril and they had unbearable side effects. Does anyone know the percentage of cases this awful side effect happens?
PEOPLE’S PHARMACY RESPONSE:
It is very rare…though hard to document exactly how rare. For those taking lisinopril without side effects there is relatively little worry. Just be alert if there is ever facial swelling or swelling of any part of the body such as tongue or genitals. Any difficulty speaking is another early warning sign.
Lisa
Pittsburg Ca.
Wow an I love how clear you voice the issue! I wish I had been stronger. I lost my boyfriend of 15yrears. He thought the doctors could do no harm. So many months in and out of hospital and rehab just to have another alergic reaction at home in his own bed and die.