Lisinopril - NOT! -- What next? Any experience? - Page 2

foxl · #16 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 07:17 PM

Yup that is what happened to me -- Endo upped my statins and added ramipril. I had already started statins and baby aspirin, at my own insistence. D does add that much cardio risk, and there was a recent article advocating the 3 meds -- "cheapest" statin (ie simvastatin), cheapest ACE inhibitor (ramipril or lisinopril), and the aspirin -- as radically cutting cardio incidents.

plattb1 · #17 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 09:10 AM

"Can you tell me why he says it is part of the D protocol? If a person doesn't have high blood pressure why would they take the drug? What else is it doing for you? I am not questioning your doc, I am truly ignorant to this. I had not heard this before."

Granny Shanny is right, but a more precise answer is found below.

Answer from AACE Clinical Practice Guidelines:
"Hypertension represents a serious risk for developing the complications of diabetes mellitus because it amplifies the effects of hyperglycemia in producing microvascular complications. ... Metabolic abnormalities associated with diabetes mellitus contribute to endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial cells synthesize several potent bioactive substances that regulate blood vessel structure and function. ...
The use of specific antihypertensive agents may benefit patients with diabetes mellitus by providing renal protection as well as stabilizing the endothelium and reducing the risk of coronary artery disease."

The way I understand this is that HBP makes the complications of D worse & having D makes some of the body's natural functions that protect against risk of cardiovascular disease from working properly.

Hope this helps. I have found a lot of information at the AACE - American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists website, including the clinical practice guidelines from which I'm quoting here. It's a PDF document on the site.

enigmalady777 · #18 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 09:17 AM

I've been taking lisinopril for about 10 years now and off and on I've had the cough, sometimes so severe that I needed throat lozenges constantly.

I find that it really depends on which generic version my pharmacy provides me (yes, there is a difference). The version I'm using now comes in a blister pack and I find it doesn't cause the cough for me. YMMV.

GretchO · #19 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 09:31 AM

I had the lisinopril cough...took it for about 2 years and was recently switched to an ARB (angiotensin recepter blocker). No cough. ARBs are significantly more expensive.

jtausch · #20 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 11:07 AM

most doctors use lisinopril to help protect the kindneys. My cardio put me on lisinpril and atenlonol for my heart

NewdestinyX · #21 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GretchO

I had the lisinopril cough...took it for about 2 years and was recently switched to an ARB (angiotensin recepter blocker). No cough. ARBs are significantly more expensive.

Thanks GretchO. I think that's what I'll ask my doc too. Can you list the name of a few ARB's? And did the ARB have any 'different' side effects for you?

Thanks!

GretchO · #22 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 11:43 AM

No side effects from Hyzaar (it's Cozaar plus HCT), but the only side effect I had from Lisinopril was the cough. I take more than the base dose that's given to diabetics for keeping the kidneys "safe" because I have high blood pressure.

Some ARBs are Cozaar/Hyzaar, Diovan, Avapro...google "angiotensin receptor blocker".

I switched from Lisinopril to Hyzaar because it was an option. If there had been no other options I would have stayed on Lisinopril. I have high blood pressure, and will not risk high BP numbers just because of a side effect. Maybe if the side effect was debilitating, but uncontrolled HBP landed me in the intensive care unit at MGH. Not going through that again.

Dis-N-Dat · #23 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 11:03 AM

Hi Grant:

I have suffered no side effects from Lisinopril (NO coughing at all) and it's done wonders for my BP. I've been taking it since July.

ReadMyLips · #24 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 09:08 PM

I have been on lisinopril for several years now and not had any problems at all.

starlittbobo · #25 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 09:34 PM

I recently have had an awful gag reflex which caused a continuos cough and something told me to stop taking the lisinipril that I had been taking for about 4 months now and sure enough when i stopped the lisinopril the cough went away just like that. I am going back 2 the garlic pills 4 tabs a day since they seemed to do the trick as well.

tygr1 · #26 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 09:45 AM

I stopped taking Lisinopril about 2 years ago after developing growths in both of my breasts.

And I'm a man!

kerryaki · #27 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 10:04 AM

I was on Lisinopril for two weeks when I woke up every single night (or morning?) at 3:00 with a horrendous dry cough. I wish it had just been a tickle. I couldn't deal with it, so my doctor switched me to Diovan - I have never had a single problem on it.
(I've been on it almost 2 years.)
Hope this helps.

pixelgirl · #28 (**permalink**) 11-13-2009, 11:02 AM

well my doc wants me to start lisinopril BUT my blood pressure is around 100/60 something every day! Could yall venture a guess on how much this will drop my pressure down? It is 5 mg so not sure if that's a lot or not- Could the drop in blood pressure be signifigant? Am going to have to take it to protect my kidneys.