I'm a 51 yr old male. I have never taken any long term medicines my entire life. Recently I was diagnosed with high bp and put on 5 mg of lisinopril daily. I'm not sure that I like the side effects. Dizziness, slight headaches and having the feeling of just being not being myself. Can anyone please tell me if these effects continue or will they go away. I've only been taking lisinopril for 4 days. Thank you for any help!
Lisinopril side effects. How long do they last?
Question posted by wcjones3985 on 8 Feb 2016
Last updated on 5 December 2021
10 Answers
Keetoowah01
12 Sep 2020
I am a 63 YO male and have been on 20mg Lisinopril for about three months. I was so bad I had them change me to something else. They gave me 5mg Amlodipine which had it's own side effects. I ave worked like 2 days in the last 2 1/2 months. Now I'm taking 10mg Lisinopril and 2 1/2 mg of amlodipine at night. When I wake up I am still a little dizzy and weak, but it usually get better as the day goes on. Like many of you, I want my life back. None of it keeps my BP in check without a nerve medication to help me deal with the side effects. I have recently been working with a therapist that is putting me back on the nerve meds because they helped so well in the recent past.
rsams53
2 Feb 2021
I can't see where I can ask a question as a member of this support group so I'll ask in this comment hoping someone can instruct how to ask a question or maybe some will answer my question. I'm a healthy 67 year old male who went on Lisinopril for BP going up from 140 to 160 so doc put me on 10 mg once a day. No side effects for about 40 days then started have sexual side effects of both ED and DE which I really didn't have before. I plan to talk with my doc about alternatives but wanted to run it by the group too. All I've read is these are lesser side effects and notice that no one else is asking these kinds of questions in our support group??? Any suggestions?
Shermmy77
27 Oct 2019
I have dizziness Nd lightheadedness in the morning. My nephrologist forces this on me for kidney protection. It has been two years. No one cares about the side effects.
youraway
5 Dec 2021
I had my kidneys checked and I wasn't having any problems. High BP can cause kidney problems, but may not as well. I've produced kidney stones for years and I found out taking this medication is not recommended if you have kidney problems.
Mess75
7 Jan 2019
I am a 43 year old male. I have recently stopped taking my once a day 10 mg. Lisinopril due to extreme side effects. My muscle and joint pains are so severe I can barely walk. The headaches and cough were bad too but nothing like my joint pain.(which onset about a month in) I was only on Lisinopril for a couple months. Been 2 weeks off them now and still no reprieve. Started Lisinopril for hypertension. Anyone know an alternative that doesn’t come with all the side effects. And does this muscle/joint pain ever subside?
youraway
5 Dec 2021
I was on it for four-weeks and stopped two nights ago due to severe cramps, and I can barely walk legs are so sore, then cramps again and again. Never had this condition before meds. Also, trouble talking, always clearly my throat. BP is 120/80 and 145/90 before meds. Hope the side effects go away. There are other effects such as lowering your HDL which is not good. I'll take my elevated BP over these side effects.
Scotteboy68
26 Nov 2018
My blood pressure was elevated starting April of 2018 And was put on 5 mg per day of lisinopril. I took it at night just because I don't like taking meds and felt safer being home with it and within a week started having headaches dizzy spells and feeling off balance. It was during the summer so I thought a lot of it was all related to my allergies. My blood pressure was getting under control I really didn't have a big problem so we went down to 2 1/2 milligrams A-day just to see if that would help with the side effects I was having. Things seemed to calm down but still had some problems that I kept attributing to my allergy issues. My blood pressure then started to go up again and they felt it was best with the way my numbers were coming in to go the 5 mg twice A-day. Within 4 days full blown dizzy spells horrible headaches and feeling off balance. I just wanted to rip my head off my body. Could barely get through my work day without having to go home.
Calling the doctor tomorrow and getting off of this med and finding out what I can take that works best for me. I am on anxiety medication so sometimes it does play a factor with what I can take. Any suggestions would be helpful. How long after you stopped did you have the side effects? It has been 7 months of hell and I can't blame it on allergies anymore because Winter has begun this is the only thing it can be. Any help would be appreciated.
Staffing manager
3 May 2018
I had all of the mentioned symptoms when I started taking Lisinopril for my bp issues. 6 months later,out of the blue, I broke out in hives head to toe. The next night,after I took my lisinopril, the hives returned along with both eyes swelling shut and my face was completely swollen. By the time I arrived at the ER, my breathing was labored and I was in a true emergency situation. They went to work hard on me and within 2 hours,the swelling was gone and I was back to normal. Thinking it was a food allergy, the doctor told me to continue my meds. The next night, aftet taking lisinopril,the same thing happened and I was rushed back to the ER again. The doctor on duty that night said immediately that it was an allergic reaction to lisinopril,an Ace inhibitor. He said that lisinopril has a very high rate of causing an allergic reaction. Please be very careful taking this. I am now on HCTZ and my bp stays at a healthy 112/76 range.
Talk with your doctor about lisinopril and all the side affects it causes including it causing allergic reactions. Within a matter of minutes,my breathing was compromised and it became a very serious situation for me. Just thankful I was not home alone and was able to get to the hospital. Please be careful taking it. There are other options. Research please amd take care.
Gordon1960
25 July 2018
How long did the hives last after stopping Lisinopril
kcondardo
15 March 2018
You’re not alone. I just started taking 5mg every day and feel little lightheaded and dizzy and definately not myself. Sometimes it feels like I can’t even expand my lungs enough to get a deep breath. Also very weak. Thank you for posting and I hope this helps to let you know that you’re not the only one
doglover44
8 Oct 2019
I too feel dizzy and lightheaded plus at times like I can't fill my lungs. I just had electrocardioversion and thought these would subside, but no even though I am no longer in afib. I take lisinopril HCTZ late afternoon and next day have BP sometimes as low as 100/60 and mostly 113/66 or near. It gets higher later in the 130s to 150s over 60 to 82 so I take the lisinopril. So far Dr says take half if it gets too low, but I'm leery of these games. I'm losing weight..well over 10% of body weight and getting stronger since heart issues so am hoping BP will come down meanwhile I'm so tired of the dizzy. I long to be normal.i used to take hibiscus flower capsules and or tea. But that was too hit and miss. I'm looking for answers ... good luck to you.dear friend..marcia
wardswift
17 Feb 2016
I had to stop taking Lisinopril due to the bloating; it was severe. I haven't yet found or been prescribed anything that worked as well to lower my Blood Pressure.
Heywood
17 Feb 2016
I was switched to lisinopril involuntarily after very high BPs (over 210 systolic) that lisinopril or enalapril didn't prevent or reduce. I satisfied myself that ace inhibitors were a cause (?) for me,
and stopped them. Went to clonidine transdermal patch 0.1 mg that does work well. Have read numerous accounts of negative effects of lisinopril, and frankly believe them because of my long term symptoms from it.
Mrssalcido
10 Feb 2016
I started the same drug and dose 1 mo ago. I have developed a highly irritating and annoying scratchy throat and constant cough. I also feel achy and fatigued and have had more than my regular number of sinus migraine. Whats more my eyes have gotten very dry. I am so annoyed that I'm stopping this Rx. I'd rather be slightly hypertense, than have to feel like this another day. I want my energy back. I'll look for another med or natural remedy.
wardswift
10 Feb 2016
Try taking it at night if you haven't already. that got rid if the aches and pains as well as the feeling of tiredness and weakness. I just couldn't get rid of the bloating and I had to change to another med, Losartan... I started it yesterday at 50mg. It just doesn't last very long. Lostartan has a half-life of 1-2 hours where Lisanopril is about 12 hours.
MZSHORTIE67
5 March 2016
I was put on the same medication when I went to the ER. I had stopped the medication I couldn't take it no more coughing all day and night. Since you had wrote back in February I was just wondering how long did it take you for the side effect to go away. I stopped taking this medication well over a week ago and I am still coughing so bad that I throw up, I would appreciate any feedback that you could give, Thank you for your time, April
RevP
1 Nov 2016
Took this medicine gave me a bad cough so bad at times I am gagging and choking. How long does it last.?Stop taking ten days ago.
pamleac
29 June 2017
I took Lisinopril for 30 days. Developed the dry cough, scratchy throat, runny nose on the 4th day. Doctor wrote new script for Losartan with the same side effects. Taking myself off it today! Will eat fresh garlic, eat raw fruits and veggies, walk every day for 30 minutes, and lose weight.
hcribbs
2 Dec 2017
I'm thinking I might do the same. My Dr. switched me to another medication because of the side effect of licinoprel with the coughing all day and night nearly throwing up sometimes. I've been off of it for only 3 days and it hasn't gone away. If it still persists I'm going to just try to lose weight and eat right.
Crarnold
1 Jan 2018
Research Kyolic Garlic. I was on a different medication for HP and had side effects. My cardiologist suggested that I try garlic since my BP wasn't that high. Get it at the health food store. Talk to your doctor. Your BP may be higher than mine was. The garlic may not work for you. But, it kept mine in perfect range and the aged garlic didn't smell.
wardswift
9 Feb 2016
Dotto, I have a question,too... specifically the bloating and intestinal feeling that I have to have a bowl movement. I'm taking 30mg at night, I had the same side effects at 20mg. My BP is perfect!
@wcjones3985
The dizziness and the kind of "out of sorts" feeling I was able to overcome by taking at bedtime. I don't know if that's right for you but it helped me.
Related topics
lisinopril, side effect, medicine, male, diagnosis
Further information
- Lisinopril uses and safety info
- Lisinopril prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lisinopril (detailed)
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