BP Medication Side Effects

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I've never had a history of high blood pressure until recently. I've been put on Lisinopril 10 mg for one week and now changed to Lisinopril 10mg with Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 12.5 because it wasn't dropping as low as the PCM wanted (128/90s). I've read a lot of horror stories of HCTZ causing severe visual problems such as closed-angle glaucoma and other vision losses. Has anyone experienced this with BP medications such as the one mentioned? Or any other severe side effects that contained HCTZ? It's almost as though if I just want to continue on the lisinopril 10mg itself and make dietary changes to avoid the possible side effects of the new medication.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    HCTZ is a diuretic , and is contraindicated if you already have glaucoma. 

    However, glaucoma is not a side effect of HCTZ. The side effect of hctz are:

    a light-headed feeling,

    eye pain, vision problems;

    jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

    pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum);

    shortness of breath, wheezing, cough with foamy mucus, chest pain;

    signs of electrolyte imbalance--dry mouth, thirst, drowsiness, lack of energy, restlessness, muscle pain or weakness, fast heart rate, nausea and vomiting, little or no urine; or

    severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

    • Posted

      Rocky,

      Main concern is that I already have a case of cataracts, am myopic and have had double vision due to astigmatism. Was just worried that the HCTZ would cause more eye problems perhaps permanent ones that would be hard to differentiate between my current problems that I have.

    • Posted

      Some eye pain and vision problems are indicated, and if you feel that this is happenning while taking HCTZ, you may check with a doctor/ophthamlogist, and these changes wont be permanent and are reversible on stopping this medication.
  • Posted

    grapes1800...Rocky is right. HCTZ is a diuretic, but usually well tolerated.

    There is another diuretic that's of good quality as well called Idapamide. If you're nervous of taking the HCTZ, ask your doctor about the Idapamide. 

    128/90's isn't all that bad, but the diastolic (bottom number) is a little high. It should be around 80.

    When taking a diuretic there's always the chance of the potassium dropping. Ask your doctor about this. He/she will likely have you do a blood test every so often to make sure the potassium levels are ok. 

    Let us know how you get on.

    • Posted

      Mike,

      I will do some research on idapamide and ask my doc about it. I had read that diuretics were usually bad and it could end up causing all the symptoms rocky mentioned as well as things like gout. Sounds rather troublesome.

    • Posted

      grapes1800...Buddy, a lot of times people focus on the bad things when it comes to medications. I'm not saying you're doing this, but diuretics do have their benefits as well. If you're taking 12.5mg of the HCTZ, that's the usual dose..it's not that high. Remember, you only take the dose of diuretic 1x day, OR it can be combined into the bp pill. Some people take a diuretic even though they're not on bp medications. My diuretic is IN the pill...Coversyl Plus HD & it's the Idapamide.

      While medicines do have their side effects, it doesn't mean you'll have them. I have a friend who stops taking medication even after 1 pill because he said it made him feel weird. He didn't give the medication a chance. I told him that one pill is NOT an instant cure; the medication has to be given a chance to do it's job, & he's not allowing that to happen by stopping after 1 pill. That was stupid on his part!

      If you have questions about the diuretic, why not consult the Pharmacist. THEY are the specialists when it comes to medications. 

  • Posted

    I was going to the loo every couple of hours through the night. Swollen ankles. Blurred vision. I decided not to take it anymoŕe as BP did not lower. I gave it several weeks to improve.
    • Posted

      You took the lisinopril htcz? Did your symptoms go away once you stopped? What are you on now? I'll be heading back to my PCM this Friday to discuss my options.

    • Posted

      I am now on losartan. Being 60 I have also recently been given antenolol as bp still not as low as they would like. Symptoms went after stopp8ng lisinopril. Almost immediately felt better. One day noticed ankles no longer swollen.

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