1. Community
  2. Heart Health
  3. ACE Inhibitors

Lisinopril Withdrawal Effects

Posted , 4 users are following.

Guest
Guest

I’m wondering if someone can help me. I was on lisinopril for a few months and developed one of the worst coughs I’ve ever had. I went off of it 10 days ago but still have this horrible cough - has anyone experienced this? Thank you.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • maureen44766
    maureen44766 Guest

    Posted

    I was on it for about a week and developed the worst cough I have ever had, at one point my throat felt like it was closing up, I lost my voice for 3 days. I stopped the Lisinopril after only 7 days, but I was really bad for about a week after that. It took about 30 days for all symptoms to end. Horrible experience. I went back on Benicar, no side effects at all. Good luck!

     

    • Guest
      Guest maureen44766

      Posted

      Thank you so much Maureen - from the moment I started taking it I experienced all of the side effects - especially the cough. Really was such a horrible experience. I appreciate your feedback. I have to look into Benicar now!!’
  • maureen44766
    maureen44766 Guest

    Posted

    You are very welcome!  If you try the Benicar, go to GoodRX to get discount coupon. It is pricey and a lot of insurance companies will not pay for it. With my coupon I get a 3 month supply for $17.00. Hope it works for you.
  • mike92384
    mike92384 Guest

    Posted

    Hi lisa04016...First of all, I hope you feel a little better with what I'm about to write...you are not suffering from withdrawal., but what you did develop was the infamous dry cough which is associated with ACE Inhibitors. Lisinopril is an ACE Inhibitor. The bp meds ending in "il" are ACE Inhibitors. Actually, the insert that comes with the medication states the possibility of the patient developing a dry cough. Some doctors will warn of this as well. Not everyone taking an ACE inhibitor develops the cough. I think the average is 1 in 4...

    It sometimes will take more than 10 days for the cough to subside...From what I understand, there is a certain amount of 'debris' that gets into the lungs (not harmful of course), & this is what triggers the cough. Once a patient stops taking the ACE Inhibitor it can take a few weeks or more for this to clear, & the cough to stop.

    I suggest that you get back to your doctor & let him/her know what you're experiencing. You can be switched to an ARB. Examples of ARB's are...Valsartan, Irbesartan; just to name a few. If you had a diuretic in the Lisinopril, diuretics can be combined in an ARB as well.

    Best of luck with this. Please let us know how you get on.

    • Guest
      Guest mike92384

      Posted

      Thank you Mike. You seem to be very knowledgeable about all of this - I had no idea about all these side effects. Do you know if there is a blood pressure medication that doesn’t affect your blood levels (potassium, liver enzymes, sodium, etc.). The diuretic makes glucose go up as well as potassium - would like something that is not an Ace Inhibitor but not going to affect blood levels. Do you know of one?
    • mike92384
      mike92384 Guest

      Posted

      Hello again lisa04016...Actually, anything I know about diuretics is that they can flush the potassium from the system. I speak from experience. One of my bp meds (Coversyl Plus HD). has 3.2 mg of Idapamide, which is a diuretic. My Dr keeps a watchful eye on my potassium levels because they have a tendency to drop. I take 2 potassium supplements to keep it in check, but as of last week he wants me to try taking just 1 tab/per day. I don't think that will work because I saw a pain specialist just a few days ago, & he had pottasium listed on the items to be checked in bloodwork. The range is 3.3-5.0...I'm at 3.4...just within the levels., so it looks as though the 2 tabs will be taken yet again. 

      According to information ARB's seem to have a tendency to raise potassium levels. 

      Truly...I suggest you discuss all of this with your doctor. Don't adjust or stop taking your meds without his/her knowledge.

  • joshuapryce1987
    joshuapryce1987 Guest

    Posted

    It may be coincidence, it may not entirely be because you came off medication, it could be because you are catching a cold. It sounds silly but it may not be medication causing this.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.