Lisinopril and Headaches: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• May 31, 2008

For High Blood Pressure "I have been using Lisinopril 10mg for about a year. Initially, I had dry coughing day and night (not to the extreme where it kept me awake at night), but enough that I thought I had an allergy or a common cold. After reading the information on this site, I found that coughing is a common symptom with this drug. I also had blurred vision, cramps in my feet and hands, and some headaches too. However, after including an hour of combined aerobics and stretching exercises 3-4 days per week, most of the symptoms are now reduced to the occasional headaches. Taking the pill with plenty of water and with food also reduced the blurred vision. In a year, I have lost about 35 lbs. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels are normal, and my doctor has recently lowered my dosage from 10 to 5mg."

• JJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Started with lisinopril for high blood pressure at 10mg, didn't really lower my blood pressure, so my doctor upped it to 20mg. I was on it for less than a week, and a cough was keeping me awake. Then I began experiencing headaches and dizziness. I didn't initially think of side effects because some of these symptoms are associated with high blood pressure. However, I got worse with the coughing, itchiness, and pain in my stomach. So, I decided to look up the side effects before assuming I was really sick. I have taken myself off the medication."

• 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."

• lit...
• May 18, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on several BP meds, all giving me side effects. I was on lisinopril 10mg, but my BP was too high. They upped it to 20mg, but it's still high. I am having tons of side effects: nonstop headaches, lightheadedness, limb tingling, aching, swelling, left arm pain, feet pain, constant congestion, chest discomfort, back pain, and anxieties. I need to get them to change it before I have a stroke or heart attack."

• nc ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 13, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "I am a 67-year-old black male. My blood pressure was slightly elevated 2 years ago. My doctor put me on lisinopril 20mg. I moved to a new location and changed doctors. He was determined that I should be changed to 10 mg of lisinopril. Now, I suffer from a loss of sexual desire, headaches, dry cough, and nightmares."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2010

For High Blood Pressure "I took 10 mg of lisinopril for a month and could not handle the side effects anymore. It worked great at getting my blood pressure down but with that came heart pounding and fluttering, headaches, leg pains, weakness, dry mouth, diarrhea, dizziness, trouble sleeping, waking in the middle of a deep sleep very confused and alarmed, and taste change. Within 2 days of changing medicines all of these problems disappeared even though the doctor assured me it was not all from lisinopril."

• Nma...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 28, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "I am a 28-year-old female and have been taking this for more than a year. I was on an angiotensin receptor blocker before. It works quite well. I lowered the dose from 10 mg to 7.5 mg. I changed the brand and got the famous annoying dry cough, but I went back to my old brand and it is gone. With occasional dizziness and headaches, it is the only medicine that has alone been able to lower my blood pressure."

• Mah...
• November 16, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "My doctor prescribed this to 'protect my kidneys' and lower my BP (132/100, was never that high before). Within a week, I had severe muscle spasms and pain in my legs, headaches, dizziness, and itchy hands. She cut my dose to 5 mg, which stopped most of the spasms but did not relieve other symptoms. My BP was 100/68. I am now dealing with mild edema in my eyelids and blurred vision."

• Luo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "After taking 2 lisinopril, I broke out in a horrendous red rash over my entire body. Extreme itching. Angioedema, difficulty swallowing, eyesight compromised, violent headache. 3 trips to ER, 3 days in the hospital. 4 weeks later, entire body skin peeling. Still very weak, short of breath on exertion. BP elevated. Not sure what I will do about BP as I am very afraid to try a new drug. This is a very bad drug."

• Nep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "At home, my blood pressure was 127/80, but at the doctor, I have 146/90 every visit. The doctor disregarded home readings and put me on 5 mg of lisinopril. I started having trouble finishing my daily exercise routine, developed a cough, and my BP shot up to 171/119. I have anxiety without meds, and I became more anxious than I've ever been. I went back to my doctor, who accused me of lying about the previous home readings, prescribed me a higher dose of lisinopril, and sent me to the ER. The ER did an EKG, said I was fine, and sent me home. The higher dose now is still resulting in a higher BP, with the addition of terrible headaches. I do not think I will consent to this medication again when I see my doctor in a few days."

• Man...
• January 2, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "After reading most of the other reviews, I wonder if I am on the proper med. I have been taking it since 12/24/16. Within 2 days, my b/p was very close to normal. I do have a slight headache, mild confusion, and some dizziness. However, headaches were worse before taking this drug and I also suffered from other side effects prior to taking it. I feel the benefits outweigh the adverse effects. Thank you."

• Doa...
• June 8, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I had been taking Lisinopril for a few years. 10 days ago I picked up a new script and the next day had a small rash on my face. I thought it was from my flight. After it calmed down, 2 days ago it started up again only this time my whole face was swollen, rash on my neck and chest, ulcerations in my mouth and throat, and some very bad intestinal pains. I've told doctors for a long time I have a problem with sulfa in medications. I just read that this is a medicine I shouldn't have been taking at all. I'm in so much pain and itchy skin. I am nauseated and have a bad headache. I stopped taking it, but now I have to let the reaction calm on its own. I'm afraid to go in and have them pump something else into me that I react to."

• ruf...
• August 1, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "I am 59 and generally have good blood pressure readings. For whatever reason, it suddenly went up to 190/100. Lisinopril reduced it within a week, but then horrible side effects. Immediately when I got up, my face and neck always felt flushed, and this went on through the day. Sometimes this made it seem like I had a temperature, very spaced out. From the back of my head to above my eyes, there was always a headache. As the morning went on, if I did nothing, I was not too bad, but if I started doing things around the house, I became very tired and drowsy and had to go to sleep."

• mac...
• November 15, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "I'm a 48-year-old male, taking 20 mg a day. Blood pressure is regular now, however, the side effects are not acceptable, and I will be switching to another medicine. Libido is lowered, I am unable to maintain an erection for more than 20 minutes, and I experience headaches, dizziness, some double vision, coughing, and slight weight gain without any change in exercise or diet. This ACE inhibitor is not for me."

• mik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 23, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "Headaches that lasted all day nearly every day for 18 months. Started on lisinopril for mildly elevated blood pressure (15 mg). Headaches went down to about one/month, and those were now responsive to Excedrin."

• PLP...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 27, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "Lisinopril has been a complete answer to prayer for me. I have had migraine headaches from childhood, which have only increased in frequency and severity with age. (Violently ill and lasting 3 days.) My doctors have tried every type of medication, with very minimal results. In questioning 3 family members who are on blood pressure medicines, (all of whom have ceased having migraines), I found they are all on an ACE inhibitor. I requested a trial of Lisinopril even though my blood pressure is normal. My doctor agreed to a 5 mg/day trial, although she admitted she would have never thought to try this but for my research. Six months later, had no migraines. Only a few 'chinook' (weather-related) mild headaches, easily treated with Tylenol or Advil. So thankful!"

• Gra...
• January 22, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on Lisinopril 5 mg for about 2 years, it does the job to bring down my BP readings, but much below the normal range. I have had serious headaches during these times, the kind of headaches that I have never experienced before. It's just horrible, I cannot function normally in daily life anymore. I thought to stop taking this medicine, but the doctors say that I have to be on it to control proteins in my urine. I am feeling miserable."

• Unc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "I have 'auditioned' eleven blood pressure medicines. So far, lisinopril is the least objectionable. For one thing, it really works. My blood pressure is down to 117/78 at 10 a.m. This is on only 2.5 mg, which is 1/2 of the smallest tablet they make. Two months ago, before lisinopril, I went to the ER because I was at 170/104. I do have a slight increase in head pain where I have had repeated craniotomies, but it is definitely less than any of the other medicines I've tried. I also retain water, have some hair loss, have lower blood sugar (not good for me because I am hypoglycemic), and somewhat wakeful sleep. But the worst symptom is that it makes me impotent to the point of penile atrophy. A good medicine for women."

• Anonymous
• May 11, 2008

For High Blood Pressure "I am very young and have been taking it for a couple of years now. I can tell when I forget to take it. I feel sick and have headaches all the time. Lisinopril really helped me get back to the normal active life I used to have."

• soc...
• September 14, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "Took it for 3 days and thought I was dying. My left leg was killing me in pain, I had a headache all 3 days, I started a dry cough, and my chest was tight, and my heart rate was up to 105. I felt overall lousy and didn't even want to get dressed. I know it takes a minute for the body to get used to meds, but this is not something I wanted to go through for one more day."

• Phe...
• October 12, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Given the 5 mg pale peach round tablet to try out for prehypertension 31 days ago. Lisinopril did help my blood pressure. Pounding headaches, pounding heart at rest stopped. Downside: I experienced what was most likely intestinal angioedema at the outset. I puffed up, though I did not weigh more (3 lbs less on one occasion). Hard to pass gas or have bowel movements and puffed up and uncomfortable in my lower abdomen most of the time. Then I woke at 2 am when my left eye shot open, turned red, and started weeping freely. My lip and cheek on that side became slightly numb and swollen. I knew that I had to take a Benadryl right away and stay up to make sure my throat didn't close up. My doc said to take another Benadryl and go straight to the ER if my swelling got worse or went to my throat. They gave me new HBP medicine and had me destroy my lisinopril. Angioedema is a rare reaction to lisinopril, but be vigilant. Especially those with allergies."

• Tig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Worst drug I have ever put in my body. I was on 20/25 for months with little change to my BP. It was running 150/90 consistently. MD bumped my dosage up to 20/12.5 twice a day, and I feel awful. My head aches so bad about 45 minutes after taking it, and my blood pressure shoots up midday to around 179/90. I've never experienced blood pressure spikes like this, and when it goes up, I feel like my head is in a vice. MD also prescribed Metoprolol 50 mg ER a few days ago, but I'm trying to make lifestyle changes to get off of these meds. It's affected my quality of life, and some days I am tempted to just go without taking them, though I am aware how stupid it would be. Horrible, horrible drug."

• A j...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I took this medicine one time and ended up at the ER. Blood pressure spiked too high, 188/130. I had a pounding headache, my heart was racing, and I was so dizzy I couldn't walk. I got to the ER and was rushed straight to the back. Then I started vomiting from the pain I was having from my headache. The doctor told me to stop this medicine immediately. I wouldn't recommend anyone take this medicine."

• Anonymous
• April 9, 2009

For Diabetic Kidney Disease "I have been taking it for 3 weeks, and I have headaches, a constant cough, nausea, itching (mild), and weakness. I went off of it for two days, and I felt better. I am going to ask my doctor to prescribe an alternative, as the cough and nausea are getting worse, and I have a severe headache every day at the same time. My blood pressure has not changed."

• Anonymous
• April 9, 2009

For Diabetic Kidney Disease "I have been taking it for 3 weeks, and I have headaches, a constant cough, nausea, itching (mild), and weakness. I went off of it for two days, and I felt better. I am going to ask my doctor to prescribe an alternative, as the cough and nausea are getting worse, and I have a severe headache every day at the same time. My blood pressure has not changed."