Hydrochlorothiazide / lisinopril and Muscle Aches: What Users Say

• Lee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 7, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking 5 mg Lisinopril for a year and thought it was great at first. It was effective at lowering my blood pressure, however, lately, when sleeping, I have had such extreme muscle cramps in my legs, I thought it was the end of me. This went on for many months until I found online that muscle cramps were a side effect of this drug. I stopped taking it and now take my old drug Atenolol. The night after I stopped taking Lisinopril, I have had no more leg cramps."

• moo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 28, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on lisinopril 20 mg for over a year now. It worked at first in lowering my blood pressure. It went from 155/99 down to about 135/80-not too bad-but my BP went back up, and so we added hydrochlorothiazide, and it dropped... a lot. Within 3 days it was at 125/87. So far no side effects, but I have noticed an increase in muscle cramps, charley horse-painful ones. Not sure what to do about the cramping. I'll do some research and see if I need to eat something that will reduce the cramping. My doctor does test me frequently for kidney function, but so far no negative effects on my kidneys."

• swe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 24, 2025

For High Blood Pressure "This drug works well for controlling my blood pressure. If I do anything physically exerting, I get muscle cramps in various locations like legs, arms, fingers. The only way to stop these cramps is to take an electrolyte drink, like Liquid IV, Powerade, Gatorade, etc. These electrolyte drinks can get rid of the cramps within 15-20 minutes. However, they contain salts, which works against the lisinopril/HCTZ. In my case, the increase in blood pressure from these drinks is very small. It may not be so small for others. My doctor is aware of this and told me I can use these drinks, but not excessively. I hope this helps others facing severe muscle cramps associated with this medication."

• 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."