Hydrochlorothiazide / lisinopril and Cough: What Users Say

• tim...
• April 4, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "I am presently on Lisinopril HCTZ, and for a while, I was doing well. Then I got upped from 10/12.5 to 20/25, and within a month of using, I have headaches, dizziness, nausea, the cough sometimes to the point of falling over. I can't seem to make my brain work the way I need it to, and my whole body hurts. My blood pressure is down, no question about that, but this is freaking me out."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I was taking this drug for high blood pressure. I took it for about a month and noticed coughing really bad, back pain really bad, flu-like symptoms. I stopped taking it and could not understand. When I explained to the doctor, he would say it must be something else. Now I see all these reviews saying the same - coughing and other side effects. I don’t know what’s going on. Where in the United States is getting their medicine from? But I have surely noticed the medicine now is like poison - really no good. Is it a money game or what? Very disappointed with doctors and medication nowadays - must try to find a natural source. I thought the medicine was going to kill me."

• Eko...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "My blood pressure was 170/100. Doctor gave me a 10mg per day prescription, and within hours of taking the first pill, my BP was 108/70. I was super lightheaded for the first 4 days when I walked, and I have an occasional cough. After 6 weeks of hovering around 117/79, I reduced myself to 5 mg per day, and my BP is now 102/77 as of today. I eat healthy and walk an average of 5 miles every day for exercise but remain stubbornly overweight."

• Jak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "It's just okay. Lowered my BP marginally. However, the coughing, constant acid reflux, and muscle aches are terrible. Both of my shoulders and forearms are sore and tingly - this was never an issue until I started this medication. I've woken up with severe leg pain and cramps. I've gone to the doctor, and they've run every test possible, and nothing shows up as being wrong; so it has to be this medication."

• Dre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "While on this medicine, I experienced back and neck pain and coughing headache. And always tired and sleepy. Is there someone who can relate? I'm sleepy all the time, it makes me restful. I don't like that lazy feeling."

• MS ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "As I struggled with side effects from this drug, I looked for others who were experiencing the same issues. Yes, I had the cough, but the stomach upset was the worst. Didn't see that this was a problem with others. My doctor said the med could not cause the constant explosive diarrhea I was experiencing. I took Imodium and started ulcer meds. I then submitted a stool sample and was looking at an endoscopy. My instincts said it had to be the drug, so after 3 months of misery, I got on a new BP drug and stomach is fine!!! So angry that the doc didn't listen to me sooner and kept saying I had a virus or food poisoning. So yes, this drug does cause terrible stomach issues for some people, so I hope this helps someone else who is dealing with what I was. DON'T WAIT 3 months to get a different drug!"

• Sha...
• August 20, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "Was on Toprol for a long time and was having to constantly increase the dosage. My doctor switched me to this and I immediately noted a great balance of blood pressure. Went from 145/98 to 127/78 (ish). Only side effects I have noted are ones that are easily cured with water intake. I get the cough and am lethargic and dizzy when working in the yard (I live in Texas so it's a billion degrees outside). Both of these however are mitigated with increased water intake. I drink flavored water throughout the day and these side effects have subsided. Very happy with this medicine."

• Mag...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 25, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed this medication at 20 mg and took it for 10 years. I never associated the drug with my constant cough and breathing problems, and neither did any physician. I was even hospitalized and tested for everything. Diagnosed over the years with asthma, gout, and high blood sugar. I had a complete workup and heart cath, and there was nothing. I had many pulmonary workups and all the treatments. Who puts up with years of coughing? Avoiding social situations, close contact, speaking engagements. I tried everything. FINALLY, an allergist said it was my meds. Stopped taking this drug, and within 10 days I was as good as new. Terrible drug for me!"

• poo...
• May 27, 2010

Hydrochlorothiazide / lisinopril for High Blood Pressure "I've been taking Zestoretic 10/12.5 for a few weeks now, and it has done a great job of reducing my blood pressure to where I want it (not too high, not too low). However, just a couple of weeks ago, I was thinking of giving it up because of the constant annoying cough. It went from a tickle to downright chest discomfort. But for some reason that I can't explain, the coughing eased up (I didn't do anything different) to the point where I can tolerate it. Hopefully, someday it will be gone for good."

• 515...
• June 17, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Lisinopril 20/HCTZ 12.5 for about a year now. I took it before and then switched medicines because of the coughing side effect of the Lisinopril. The new medicine did not provide the same results, so I switched back. I have the cough off and on, sometimes it is pretty strong for a few minutes. It goes away and recently has been minimal. The only other side effect I notice is dizziness or lightheadedness sometimes. I started taking the pill late morning after eating breakfast. The side effects seem to be much better for the most part."

• Sic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking Lisinopril October 8th, so almost two months ago. I have developed a dry, hacking cough and I am suffering from horrible charley horse-type leg cramps, which keep me awake at night. It also makes me feel sick if I don't have food in my stomach before taking it. I have changed my diet to vegetarian, cut out drinking any caffeine or alcohol. Hopefully, this will help improve my BP. Going to my doctor next Saturday and I am going to request to be put on something else!"

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "I took this medicine for several months. There definitely was a cough, it also affected my sinuses. Then I started developing headaches. I thought it was viral in nature, but this continued on for 2 months. Then my hair started to fall out, and I stopped taking this medicine. It took several days for it to leave my system, and I feel much better without it."

• TCT...
• October 7, 2009

Hydrochlorothiazide / lisinopril for High Blood Pressure "Initially, I had to get used to the dizzy feeling after standing up too quickly. I rise slower now. I combat the mild dry mouth and cough by drinking lots of water. The diuretic effect, plus my coffee and water intake in the morning, makes me wish I could move my cubicle into the bathroom. That effect tapers off during the day."

• Anonymous
• December 12, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "I was recently switched to Lisinopril 20 mg/HCTZ 12.5 mg from Tekturna HCT because my insurance no longer covered the Tekturna. After 2 months of taking nothing, my blood pressure went from 176/104 to 108/68 taking the lisinopril/HCTZ. Very mild side effects, i.e., an occasional cough, but nothing alarming. So, I'm pleased with the switch, although I was very irritated about the insurance company's unwillingness to keep me on the Tekturna HCT, which worked well for me also."

• Sia...
• July 21, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Took myself off of the drug because my BP was at pre-hypertension, and I had this constant dry cough. I used to have horrible leg cramps at night... no matter how much water I drank before bed. I never use salt or eat salty foods; the doctor said to eat more bananas. I never made the connection to the cramps and the meds, and my doctor did not, either. Well... I wondered why I haven't had any leg cramps in months, and my boyfriend said, 'You stopped taking your blood pressure medicine.' Duh!"

• Too...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 7, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I've taken 10 mg for 20 years. Used to have a (not bothersome) cough; that's gone away. The pharmacist said lisinopril is a very good medicine. My usual BP is 120/75 or so with this dosage. This is the only drug I take; I'm active and my weight is about average. I'm really, really happy with it."

• Tru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I started on this medication because my blood pressure was still high even on amlodipine 5 mg. It lowered my blood pressure significantly from the 150s to the 120s, but the side effects are painful. I have aching pain on the left side of my chest, plus a cough, as well as some dizziness when I lay down on my right side. I had to cut my pill in half to minimize these effects, but I will let the doctor know on my next visit. I would like to stop it altogether, but I worry about rebound hypertension."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 6, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Constant dry cough. Frequent urination throughout the day. My physician increased from 20 mg to 40 mg. Still had side effects. Physician added Losartan and the cough went away, but I would feel numbness in my right leg and tingling in my right foot."

• HCM...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed Lisinopril-HCTZ 20/12.5 mg for high blood pressure. After about 2 weeks on it, I developed a dry cough that continued throughout the day and night. I consulted with my doctor, who said the cough was due to allergies and to try Claritin, which did not work. Two months later, I was told to try Zyrtec, but that did not work either. After 8 months of chronic coughing, I looked into the side effects of lisinopril and found that dry cough was one side effect. I changed doctors and was advised that I needed an ARB medication, not an ACE inhibitor. After a week on an ARB, the coughing has stopped. The only plus to the lisinopril is that it did regulate my blood pressure."

• Anonymous
• April 25, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "Side effects included coughing at night and during the day. Just no control over it. I was on a half-dose regimen, and with exercise and diet, my blood pressure was dropping."

• 150...
• August 31, 2008

For High Blood Pressure "After one week on Lisinopril HCTZ, my blood pressure went from 150/94 to 124/74. I am experiencing the coughing side effect, though, which is distracting during conversation."

• Nor...
• February 21, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "I started this drug a few weeks ago, and along with Coreg, has done wonders for my blood pressure. However, I am experiencing the 'cough.'"

• njg...
• February 12, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "My mom started taking this medicine since last week and has started coughing. Her doctor had to switch her from Hyzaar to this medicine as her insurance no longer covered Hyzaar."

• Mr ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 11, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I got put on lisinopril in prison and have had a cough ever since. My doctor increased my dose to 20 mg a day. I've developed severe muscle cramps in my legs and ribs. They are very painful."

• Gra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 4, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Every time I took hydrochlorothiazide/lisinopril, I would start coughing."