Lisinopril and Shortness Of Breath: What Users Say

• BLa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I don't even want to give this drug one star! I started taking this medication back in June of 2016 for only about 3 weeks, and I am still having side effects to this day! My whole life changed overnight. I started having heart palpitations, extreme dizziness. I lost close to 30 lbs, hair loss, swollen nose, lip, and eye. Pains/pressure in the top and back of head, shortness of breath, blurred vision, weakness, nausea, pains in my stomach, night sweats, and leg cramps. My entire body felt shaky ( and I'm pretty sure I'm missing some things). Numerous trips to the ER and 8 different doctors to basically be told they don't know what's wrong with me. Take my advice and do not take this."

• Sun...
• July 9, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "It does lower the blood pressure, sometimes too much. But beware of the side effects - after being on the medication for almost two years, I developed fast heartbeat, chest pains, shortness of breath, depression, dizziness not upon standing up but simply while working at my desk, stomach pains, bad heartburn. The dry cough was pretty annoying, too. Been off of it for 5 days and most of the side effects are gone."

• mom...
• March 4, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I can take this at 1.25 mg per day, and it sets my BP at about 130/75 steadily. I was running about 150/90 before. I started at 2.5 mg (doc wanted 5 mg) and was a little short of breath. Went to 1.25 mg, and it's plenty. If you are taking a larger dose, try taking less before giving up from side effects. I can stop taking this for a few days, and my BP stays low for about 3-4 days even. I am wondering if I am having some body achiness and foot pain from this, though. Also, a bit more mucus when on this. Not sure whether to try something else as this is effective for the BP, and dirt cheap."

• Pau...
• March 4, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Took lisinopril for high blood pressure and developed a cough, was taken off of lisinopril, and I find now I have breathing problems, which they say is asthma, bronchial asthma, and I've had bloody noses continuously. My son-in-law, he was also on lisinopril. If the doctor recommends this medicine, tell him to take a different one, this is the worst on the market."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 20, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "Persistent dry cough developed after taking for 3 years. Pulmonary function test shows I am 'normal,' but the persistent cough and wheezing still exist. Do not believe I have asthma, feel that it is this medicine. Discontinued 1 week ago."

• Deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I took this medication for 5-6 days and rushed to the emergency room. The reaction to this medication caused swelling of my throat, vomiting, problems breathing, lightheadedness, dizziness, mild chest pains. I did not have any of these symptoms until taking this medication. The ER treats multiple patients due to this medication. This medication is terrible and should be taken off the market. I could have died. The ER was monitoring me closely in case a breathing tube needed to be inserted. The worst! I don't like Western medicine anyway because of the potential side effects."

• 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."

• My ...
• May 5, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "My mother had a severe allergic reaction to lisinopril. She was taken to the ER for swollen tongue and shortness of breath. Her heart rate was high. When the doctor questioned her about her medicines for blood pressure, they immediately thought the reaction had been caused by lisinopril. She was the fourth case that they had seen. She had only taken it for about a month (10mg dose)."

• 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."

• Des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I was on Lisinopril for two months. It worked in lowering my blood pressure, but I felt horrible. I was anxious, had mild tight headaches every day, didn't want to go to work, my motor coordination was slightly jerky, I had a dry cough occasionally, my heart beat very hard inside my chest, and I became out of breath just walking short distances. I'm sure this affects everyone differently, but I thought it would do serious damage to my insides, and I kind of like my insides to work properly. I still have slight jerky movements in my arms. I'm hoping this goes away soon."

• Von...
• September 13, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I was taking lisinopril about 3 years ago for high blood pressure. I was having trouble right from the start. It did get my pressure down. But almost killed me in the process. I started coughing first on the 4th of July. It got worse as time went on. I cough so much my insides hurt. I cough up so much phlegm, oh my God. I thought I had lung cancer. It was so embarrassing, everywhere I went, I got stares and was asked if I was okay or wanted water. People moved away from me, etc. I had a hard time catching my breath, sleeping, talking, etc. I had constant asthma attacks. I had to go on steroid shots and breathing treatments. I thank God I didn't die or have any other problems from this medicine. Prayers go to those who have, this should be banned."

• Sic...
• July 15, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I am extremely sensitive to prescriptions/medications. I do not take anything on a daily basis but do take Advil, Mucinex, and Aspirin as needed. After only a few days of taking 10mg, I am so weak/tired I cannot function or drive. I am always 'tired,' but this is different. The first things that I noticed were SEVERE lower right back pain, tingling/numbness in my hands and feet, nausea, and ringing in my ears. Now I have swelling, a bad taste on the back of my tongue, slight shortness of breath, but if I am active, it is bad and my heart pounds, burning pain similar to heartburn, and extreme weakness. I am not on other meds and did not have these symptoms until after I took this. I have only taken 3 pills in total."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Lisinopril gave me a dreadful cough and breathing problems, which I had never had in my life. I also got a UTI, and after antibiotics, was left with severe lower abdominal pain and leaking a few times. Research found this can be caused by ACE inhibitors, ACE Inhibitors and the Risk of Urinary Tract Infections. I stopped the tablets, and leaks stopped immediately, and other symptoms eventually went away after a few weeks. The doctor refused to acknowledge it was the medicine. My daughter had similar problems. Dreadful medicine."

• Tim...
• June 20, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "I've been taking lisinopril for about 10 days now. I was on amlodipine, which gave me horrible side effects like sore muscles, dizziness, short breath, and no sex drive. Lisinopril 10 mg a day brought my blood pressure down from 140/90 to the 120s/80s. With no side effects, but I have noticed a dry throat with coughing like others have mentioned. I'll have to monitor to see if it is from the new drug."

• Dai...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 22, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "It worked well for 4 years, 20 mg Lisinopril, then the doctor added 50 mg Metoprolol twice a day. I've had wheezing and a slight cough, and it raised my blood sugar a few points, but the worst side effect of all is the runny nose. As a single guy in his 50s, it's quite a challenge to go out to meet women with your nose in a constant drip. But it works, has fewer side effects than others."

• bpp...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 4, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on 5 mg lisinopril for more than 5 years. Then recently, I have been coughing almost all night and have to take nighttime cough meds to get any sleep. My heart has been skipping beats, breathlessness. I reviewed the past prescription bottles and see where they have changed the manufacturer from Lupin to Solco. I can't go on with these side effects, I discontinued use, and my cough has gone, heart hasn't skipped since."

• Inc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 3, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I took this for a year, and it seemed to have worked well, or so I thought. Until I started coughing, thinking it was my sinuses. Then, shortness of breath when walking long distances. I was sleeping well until the final night I woke up with my throat closing up, my tongue swollen. This reaction landed me in intensive care with kidney problems. I will be going to a specialist for the rest of my life due to what this medication has done. When my family has been prescribed this medicine, I recommend they not take it. Why is it on the market? It can prove fatal if medical intervention is not taken. The physician in the hospital told me lisinopril taken for a day or years can go against your health. Why is this medication still prescribed?"

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 24, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Was put on this, I only take half a pill once a day. After a month of being on this, I developed a really bad cough, coughing all the time. Then I started getting shortness of breath. I thought it was asthma, my inhaler helped but never got rid of the cough. Now the shortness of breath is getting worse, I have lower back pain, tingling in my hands, which comes and goes. I told my doctor, she said it should pass, but it's been a year, and it hasn't passed. The cough is getting worse, so I think I'll stop this pill before it does any more damage, and then I'll find a new doctor as well. They work for you if you have a doctor who just blows things off, you don't want them for a doctor. Find one that cares about you and your health and not in it for just a paycheck."

• 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."

• peb...
• May 22, 2010

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Lisinopril 20 mg tab for about a year now. I have a real bad cough for about a month and wheezing. I had to take two weeks of steroids to heal. My throat is hoarse. I seem to have swelling in my throat, I get real sleepy, yawning a lot, and I have not been alert with my mind. I am going to talk to my doctor. I even told my son about this drug for his blood pressure. I will probably change medication or take a lower dose and see how I do."

• Hor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Been taking it for about 6 months, and the refill I got for this month has made me feel horrible. I have been light-headed to the point of almost passing out, really short of breath, and tired all day. I don’t know if they changed something in them now or what, but I am done taking this stuff. I feel like I am poisoning my body. I’ll just eat better now and exercise more."

• Bai...
• November 28, 2009

For Coronary Artery Disease "My friend, age 53, began taking Lisinopril after a double coronary bypass in June of this year. We asked for the Lisinopril prescription from the doctor because it was cheap and he was going to need a long-term ACE inhibitor. He had a history of bronchitis in the past. As time rocked on, the cough became worse, eventually being put on a home nebulizer. The Physician Assistant changed him from Lisinopril to Diovan. Within 2 weeks, the cough had gone away, as well as the wheezing, and he no longer needed the respiratory treatments. Personally, I feel that Lisinopril is a good medicine if one has no other medical issues. In this case, I think it was not a good choice."

• KFT...
• February 27, 2016

For Diabetic Kidney Disease "Started this drug in January 2016. My primary care physician prescribed this drug because he said it was new on the market and would help diabetes kidney issues. My blood pressure is normal from taking Cardizem. Started with coughing issues in January. The doctor prescribed 10 days of Prednisone with Mucinex DM and probiotics. Still kept coughing. Sometimes the cough was productive/dry. Called my doctor on Feb 22, 2016, because my left ear stopped up for a couple of hours and still have the coughing issues. Prescribed another bout of Prednisone. Went to see primary care on Fri, Feb 26, 2016, with coughing issues and wheezing, which isn't good for my COPD. Did the nebulizer. Didn't work, so now I am in the hospital with lung issues."

• Tha...
• August 5, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "I had a severe allergic reaction to this medication. My face and arms turned red, and I had difficulty breathing close to 16 hours after taking the medication, even after taking Singulair and Claritin to knock off the effect of the allergy."

• Anonymous
• June 22, 2008

For High Blood Pressure "The drug caused me to have breathing difficulties after being on it for 3 years. I developed what is known as hypersensitivity. If you have asthma-like symptoms, it may be from lisinopril."