Lisinopril and Fatigue: What Users Say

• med...
• December 10, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Prescribed lisinopril for borderline high blood pressure 10mg. Initially left me feeling very weak, extremely lethargic, and sleepy/tired. Went back to the doctor for a follow-up, they advised that this was my body adjusting and getting used to blood pressure being in a normal range. Blood pressure better, but wow the side effects were not good at all. Side effects were heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, a general feeling of being unwell and sick, flu-like symptoms, overproduction of phlegm, numbness and tingling in hands and feet, discharge in my eyes, and a lessened quality of life. At the 25 day mark, I decided to try cutting the pills in half to wean myself off. The first day off, I was already starting to feel better. After stopping, some days I've felt decent, but still struggle with the withdrawal side effects like cough and nausea. I've changed my diet for the better and only drink water. I'm glad to find message boards to share this info to let others know they are not alone."

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 22, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I started Lisinopril in February, so about 10 months ago. 20mg per day, one per day when I woke up for high BP. Exactly three months to the day of when I took the first one, I woke up from a nap incredibly dizzy. I had just refilled my meds the day before, so I started the new bottle that morning. Same manufacturer. I was so dizzy I felt like the room was spinning, and laying down made it worse. I waited until it passed two days later and made an appointment with my PCP. After CT, MRI, blood work, EKG, topamax, meloxicam, a muscle relaxer, two different types of vertigo diagnosis, I came upon this forum. My symptoms were dizziness, neck and back tension, blood pressure dropping when standing, tingling in my face and arms, anxiety, and fatigue. All of this since May. I stopped Lisinopril three days ago. I’m already feeling somewhat better. I just hope I’m back to myself once it’s all out of my system. I don’t recommend it."

• Car...
• June 28, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "Doc put me on 10mg. I developed what seemed like sciatic nerve pain. Every morning when getting out of bed for the day, I had pain in my left buttocks, thigh, down my calf, and tingling into my foot. After being up for an hour or so, the pain subsided, and I could pretty much do what I wanted. I also noticed I was easily fatigued and felt somewhat depressed. Doc increased the dose to 20mg daily after 6 months. Then the sciatic pain in the morning increased to nearly unbearable. I had no energy. I was ready to see an Orthopedic Dr when I checked online for severe side effects of Lisinopril. I was stunned - joint, nerve, and sciatic pain. Hair loss, weight gain, depression, cough, fatigue, and etc. I stopped the med. and now feeling great."

• Pam...
• July 9, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I am a 57-year-old woman and I have been taking lisinopril 20mg for a few years now. The side effects are getting worse. I just asked my doctor to take me off this medication for my blood pressure. I had severe leg cramping at night, and my skin seems to show every vein due to lisinopril sucking the life out of me. I work all day and I couldn't wait to get into my bed at the end of the day, I was totally exhausted. I would wake up in the middle of the night with a dry cough, limiting my sleep, and feeling like I did not sleep at all. This is not living life as it was meant to be. I will change my eating habits and exercise. I would rather live every day as it was meant to be, than BARELY existing."

• Kam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "I am a 36-year-old female new to the world of high blood pressure. I am a runner, healthy eater, and maintain a good weight, but my father has high blood pressure. After an ER visit with high blood pressure and an episode of tachycardia, I was told to see a cardiologist. My BP remained at 145/100 for about a month, so he put me on lisinopril 10mg. Being paranoid about the side effects, I have only taken 5mg per day for the last week. My BP is pretty stable at about 117/85. Side effects include minimal coughing, fatigue, and dizziness."

• Kat...
• November 14, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "Took this medicine for over 6 months. Side effects got bad finally stopped taking it and switched to old medicine. Had headaches that never went away, muscle spasm in legs and arms so bad could barely lift my arms. Extreme fatigue would set in 1 - 2 hours after taking, facial flushing always getting comments about being sunburned. Most scary was the memory loss, couldn't recall details on everyday things, and muscle twitches in thigh. Been off of this for only three days and feel better already. Memory is coming back and twitches in thigh are gone. Didn't have the need for a nap today either. It seems as if these symptoms get worse over time, at least for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 18, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "After six months of taking lisinopril (5mg), I have gained weight, had hair loss, and have had constant fatigue. It has brought my blood pressure down to 120/70, but I'm tired of all the side effects! Not to mention the constant dry cough and soreness in my mouth."

• Kev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Recently diagnosed stage 1 (142/92) and was put on 10mg of lisinopril. After reading the many horror stories, I was hesitant to start taking it and was going to consult the doctor about alternatives before trying. In lieu of talking with the doctor about alternatives, I decided to take a few days off and start the 10mg dosage to see how it would make me feel. Day 1 and 2, I was a little foggy and had some fatigue but the BP results were seen within 1 hour of starting (120/70) and have been taking now for two weeks with no more side effects. Beyond now taking the drug and a few lifestyle changes, I am very happy with the results. Working towards getting off this stuff within 6 months with weight loss and life changes. 51/male."

• joo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 12, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I've been taking 10 mg lisinopril for blood pressure daily for over 8 years, and all was OK. Lupin reformulated their process and made the pill smaller in 2017. As I started taking the reformulated pills, I noticed severe fatigue and falling asleep after every meal. Started feeling depressed and finally severe heart pounding and arrhythmia within 1 hour after taking it. That scared me, so I stopped. Within 3 days, I was no longer fatigued, had a brighter outlook, and NO heart arrhythmia or pounding. Whatever Lupin did in their reformulation, it took a properly functioning medication and made it dangerous to use. Reading blogs, I'm not the only one who suffered through adverse reactions to Lupin's reformulation of lisinopril. I am refusing to take ANY medication manufactured by Lupin."

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 30, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Fall 2015, noticed b/p was staying in the 140/95 range. Dr. put me on Lisinopril 20 mg & metoprolol 100 mg. b/p went down to 130/90. I soon noticed my energy was low, I felt like my body was made of lead. I couldn't even stand long enough to take a shower. But the holidays approached & I figured it was just adjusting, cold winter, etc. I had extreme depression, massive anxiety, insomnia. Basically confined to my bed. Went to the Dr. again & again & she just looked at me & smiled again. I couldn't take anymore. I went off both slowly. I feel 75% better after 2 days! Now I'm trying to reverse this nightmare of being sedentary & what it has done to my body. I never knew you could lose this much muscle & become exercise resistant so quickly."

• BeY...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 5, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I was put on 20 mg of Lisinopril for HBP when I went to the ER and was diagnosed with bronchitis in mid-January 2016. I attributed my feeling worse to the progression of the bronchitis instead of this drug. However, after months of not feeling any better, I noticed that my hacking cough, endless post-nasal drip, difficulty swallowing, and general fatigue seemed to get so much worse shortly after taking this medication. It prompted me to research the side effects and read online hundreds of testimonials of people with similar symptoms to those I had who also saw a correlation between this medication and their symptoms. After my CT scans and blood work revealed I no longer had bronchitis, I knew that Lisinopril was to blame. I stopped taking it."

• pa1...
• November 18, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "My blood pressure was running 160 over 115, and I went on this medication. I've only been on it for 5 days, and the incessant coughing is driving me crazy. Also, I've noticed annoying, weird cramps under my shoulder blades, lower back aches (even though overweight, I've never, ever had back problems) and my thigh, calf, and even foot muscles start to seize up when I walk, and I'm a walker, hate to sit down but now I do all the time because I feel so tired. I'm also unable to sleep and short of breath, which is also uncommon to me."

• Sha...
• March 11, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "I'm 18. I've been on Lisinopril 20 mg for a year. My BP stays around 120/80, which is good. When swim season came, I had been trying to get into shape but fatigued too easily in practice to ever get a good workout in. At my first swim meet, I almost had a heart attack after a race. Lisinopril cured my high BP but ended my swimming career. If you're a serious athlete, I don't recommend taking this medicine. It's effective, but your endurance will diminish greatly."

• Cec...
• February 24, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on 20 mg for about a year now. My blood pressure was like 145/97 prior to taking it. Now I read around 125/85. So in that effect, it did lower my bp, but it could still be better. My issue has been the extreme fatigue. I am seriously tired all the time. Like I can go to bed at 8, wake up tired at 6:30 a.m., be tired all day, take a nap from 12 to 2 p.m., and still go back to sleep tired at 8 p.m. This is driving me nuts and has caused me to gain weight due to lack of activity."

• Any...
• March 30, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "Have been taking 10 mg Zestril/Lisinopril for forty years plus, I am 69. It worked OK when I was in a very stressful job and works much better now that I am retired. I do have the runny nose issue but live in AZ so not sure if that is allergies. Based on what I have read in people's comments, I am going to assume it is the meds. I also take what is called a water pill. The fatigue thing mentioned by many also applies to me. Erectile dysfunction is also a significant issue. I am considering getting off the medicines to see if that helps that issue. If anyone out there can provide any info on that matter, it would be appreciated."

• Fem...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 26, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "Doctor prescribed 20 mg to reduce blood pressure; works wonderfully for that purpose. Side effects include dry cough and fatigue, but not to the point where it interferes with my life. I think it's great medicine; noticed immediate results."

• Anonymous
• April 8, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "I am a 69-year-old male diagnosed with high blood pressure 7 months ago (otherwise healthy). After starting with lisinopril and a diuretic, the medication was lowered to just 20 mg lisinopril/day and then to 10 mg/day because I experienced extreme fatigue. The medicine has lowered my BP, but there appears to be still the fatigue every few days associated with a drop in my pulse to 40 or even fewer beats/min. I appear now to have a 'normal' at-rest pulse of 58-60/min when it was about 70 with no drops and fatigue. I am wondering if anyone else has noticed a drop in pulse associated with their fatigue? My doctors say lisinopril can't cause this, but I never had this problem prior to taking lisinopril even with high blood pressure."

• ArI...
• December 11, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "I'm a 27-year-old male with hypertension (yes, a bit young, but it runs in the family). At first, Lisinopril was a godsend. We were seeing systolic pressure in the high 120s and diastolic pressure in the 70s (I've had readings as high as 165 over 95). I didn't develop the dreaded 'ACE inhibitor cough.' Over time, however, lisinopril caused me to feel fatigued 24/7. I'm depressed (despite 40 mg Prozac per day and no history of major depressive disorder or triggers) and feel 50 years older than I should be. Medications affect different people in so many different ways. I'll continue on my quest to find the blood pressure medicine that works for me (...with a second opinion from a cardiologist)."

• Coc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 26, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking this horrible drug for about 9 months. I slowly began to feel more fatigued until I had extreme fatigue, where I could not function at work and was sleeping up to 18 hours per day. I was constantly lightheaded, and it got to where I did not want to stand at all. I was also nauseated, had extreme brain fog, and became abnormally moody because of this. I had no time left at work and will probably have to take a warning because of the time I did have off. I figured it out without help from my doctor. They would not believe me, so I took myself off, and I am trying lifestyle changes, fish oil, and baby aspirin. I feel much better after only 3 days off this medication. I would never take this again."

• soc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I've been on Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide for about 6 weeks. My BP was high (200/100) after an especially stressful day, so I went to the Dr. to see about getting medication. I started on a dose of 12.5/20 mg but had side effects, including dizziness and extreme exhaustion in the afternoon. Then my BP started getting a little too low. So my Dr. suggested I cut the dose in half. So far, that seems to be working. I'm less dizzy, and my BP is usually in the 'ideal' range after I take it. However, I do have digestive problems that I never experienced before, so I think it's related to the pills. I'm hoping to lose weight so I can come off this pill, but for now, I will keep taking the half pill. The key thing is to check your BP at certain times to make sure you have the proper dose. Some Drs. are pill pushers who create more problems for their patients than necessary. However, it IS important to keep your BP in check, so take medication if needed and monitor it closely."

• JCl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking 1/2 pill of 5 mg of lisinopril for a month. I am itching like crazy, weird, no rash that I can see. But itches head to bottom of feet every day, night, minute. My bowel is light yellow and I have diarrhea for 1 month now and have zero energy, can't breathe, and can't function. Back on amlodipine. Was trying to get on a kidney-friendly medicine, but it is not working for me."

• DZ3...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I was 150/110, so they put me on one a day. BP went back to normal. However, this causes me some stomach discomfort and makes me lightheaded. The big problem though is the fatigue. I can't do very much work on this, and it's like I feel I always have to sit or lay down. I might as well use cannabis, which also lowers BP without the side effects. I had to give it a high rating though because it's doing what it is supposed to do."

• Hel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 19, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I'm always afraid to try new medication. When I got the courage to take lisinopril, I was shocked at the very few side effects I had. I did experience pretty terrible migraines for a few days after starting, but that was it. Although if I miss a dose, I do feel malaise as if I'm coming down with the flu, and my body feels hot. I've taken it with and without food and had zero stomach upset."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "Blood pressure was 180/114 when I started taking lisinopril. It worked well for my BP, but the side effects were more than I could handle. Fatigue, nausea, and daily vomiting. We are in the process of trying to find a better option."

• Tul...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 27, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "On lisinopril 5 mg for years, high BP due to high stress. Last fall, due to work changes, BP was up a little, so Dr. increased to 10 mg. In the past 3-4 months, occasional dry night cough, restlessness/poor sleep, night/day sweats (not menopause); and in the past 4 weeks, extreme fatigue, blurred vision, and most irritating either bloatedness or weight gain. Noted that the lisinopril changed 3 months ago from a small white pill to an oval pinkish pill. Am physically active (brisk walk with Border Collie, & dance 2-3-4 times a week). Then thought maybe I need to reduce from 10 mg back to 5 mg until I began checking symptoms. Seeing Dr. to discuss dc'g this - replacing with baby aspirin, especially reading concerns posted here."