Question posted by rags562 on 25 Sep 2009
Last updated on 22 December 2018
What is a good inexpensive alternative to lisinopril?
I am 50 years old and was prescribed lisinopril for high blood pressure. My family and friends have noticed my awful cough. I cant sleep and have zero energy for even the simplest things. I am slightly overweight but have always been very active and energetic. Please advise... rags562
Several years ago, I was prescribed metoprolol (50Mg.) for my HBP from a hospital druggist (I was in the hospital for a blood clot in each lung - blood clots are gone and my lungs are fine now). After I got out of the hospital, my PC doctor prescribed Lisinopril (5Mg.) along with the metoprolol-- they seem to work well together, for me.
If you are having any BP prescription challenges, perhaps your PC doctor could prescribe a different dossage.
You make an excellent point. Years ago, I read an article about how many/most bp and cholesterol medications are "overdosed." Lisinopril was one of the many medications they analyzed. Although I don't remember the exact figures/percentages, they showed that 20 mg might lower bp almost as much as 40. And, that 10 might reduce bp just a few points less than 20.
At the time, I was taking both 40 Lisinopril and 100 mg Metoprolol (daily). And, I started my own experiment by adjusting dosages and carefully monitoring bp and heart rate. I found that 10 mg Lisinopril each day, and 25 mg Metoprolol EVERY OTHER day, was all that I needed.
I've done the same thing with cholesterol medications. My doctor had placed me on the lowest dosage they made. So, I just cut the pill. I never did tell the doctor that I'm only taking about 2.5 mg (instead of the 10 he prescribed). But, he's happy with the labs, and I'm saving money :-)
When my cardiologist changed my BP meds to 40mg.Lisinopril & 25mg. -Mitopropolol, I got many bad side effects also such as: A harsh cough, a rash on my back, insomnia, and worst of all - not able to achieve an erection, as in becoming impotent! My pulse was down to ave. 50-55 and I felt like a zombie all day & night since my heart was hardly beating! I still don't know what my Dr. was thinking in prescribing me such a bad drug combination~
I told my doctor that I was not happy with his prescriptions. It was my luck after asking a few different pharmacists who told me I should try Losartan, which is neither an ace inhibitor, nor a beta blocker, but rather an angeotensin II receptor antangonists. (*Log onto Google, pull up Losartan & it will tell you more than what your Dr. ever explained to you.) It works through the kidneys in keeping your blood vessels open. My Dr. agreed & changed my BP med to 75mg.Losartan daily - that immediately eliminated all of my bad reactions I was experiencing & reduced my BP down to an average of 118-135 over 75-85 with an ave. of 65 pulse! It is also very inexpensive! I certainly hope you experience as much success with controling your BP without any side effects in my case - as I did with Losartan! Good Luck to you raggs562 !!
attngiotensine receptor blockers are good alternative medication for patient suffering from lisinopril side effects like dry cough and angio edema because the angiotensine receptors blockers do not affecting on bradykinin that is responsible for this side effects
You should consider taking an L-arginine supplement. L-arginine is a nutritional precursor to the compound Nitric Oxide, which means it is broken down in our cells into Nitric Oxide and the Nitric Oxide then causes basal dilatation. Nitric Oxide is present is every tissue/every vessel in our body. It makes sense, because if we can deliver more Nitric Oxide to the tissue, then we can deliver more oxygen to the tissue (heart, brain, legs or anywhere there is blood flow), therefore, making the entire system work more efficiently. This increases blood flow and decreases blood pressure. It also reduces LDL oxidation, maintains healthy blood sugar levels, supports healthy sexual performance AND may aid in decreasing body fat. That is the purpose of L-arginine. It truly is a miracle molecule
You might ask your doctor about Losartan (an ARB). Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) are frequently prescribed for patients who do not tolerate ACE inhibitors well (due to coughing).
And, at this time Losartan (Cozaar) is the only generic ARB available.
hey rags562 how about metoprolol i use to be on 100mg 3xdaily i would have water sacs hanging at my ankles in 2006 and 2007, now that i am allergic to lisinopril i started with 25mg of metoprolol 2xdaily and i can feel the difference using that and a water pill they tried to add norvasc to it, but i refused; the 2 meds work well together for me, and there are others, good luck to you vtech10
rags 562 have you signed up with AArp they are suppose to help with your medication, also cvs pharmacy has a prescription program up to 10 medications for $9.99 a month--- i think your scripts must be 90 days supply--you can go thru their minute clinic-thru your own insurance plan or pay on a sliding scale-you can see them too in-between doctors appts-blood pressur, diabetes, check-up, flu shot, bad cold or flu, physical for a job, shots for children, even flu shots for kids... get a cvs card,aarp card and get your discounts on your meds just some info for ya, sounds like you dont have insurance- if that is the case-- then the cvs plan should be much cheaper for you..and the doctors who are physician assistants they also write scripts, check it out if you can vtech10
Thanks to one and all for your replies. Very, very helpful. May your kindness be returned to you tenfold.
rags562
that medication did not work for me either, had chocking feeling at night while coughing non stop for 3 months, had to stop, now i'm on atenolol which work for me with no symtom, ask your Doc if it might help you. coughing all the time is not so good. Everyone's body acts diff. with drugs. Have ur Doc keep changing your med.. until you find something that works that's my advise. From Inipong.
I broke 2 ribs coughing on losinopril before I was changed over to the atenelol. I take a very low dose and it is available at Kroger on the $4 for 30 day/$10 for 90 day program. It took almost a year before we figured mine out, but I was glad they finally did.
I had the same problem on lisinipril. when I complained to my Dr. he switched me to Benicar/hctz. Works great and is pretty cheap too.:)
Finally a straight answer to the question. Thanks!
Please consult your Dr. seek a change take Ramipril instead of Lisinopril, this medication might help.
The class of drugs that work similar to the ACE inhibitors known as ARBs will start becoming available in generic this year. These provide many of the same benefits as the ACE inhibitors but without the nagging cough. Not sure about prices at this time.
rags 562,
This same thing hapened to me about 1 year ago, I could not functon without coughing - a dry hacking couph that nothingtouched. 3 weeks later I returned to my Physcian and he told me that 2 o 10 people obtained that cough, after you stop taking and take something else out of the same field with the lisinopril, one can only be so excvited when they quit taking it and the coughing goes away, I hope he changes this soon and you will get back to your good health!! Thanks!!!
There are many other drugs out there. There are some that may fit you allot better. BP medicine is usually expensive. If you do not have insurance for drugs contact the manfacture for their program.
Back to your problems. If you have a problem getting back to your doctor call and talk with your Druggest and they may have some ideas and call your doc for you.
high blood pressure, headache, cough, sleep disorders, lisinopril, sleep
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.