How I Coped with Lisinopril Side Effects While Using the Drug

Lisinopril is a drug of the angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors class. The ACE inhibitors dilates the blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more freely to and away from the heart which lowers blood pressure. It was developed from the venom of a poisonous snake of Brazil, as were all the ACE inhibitors. This snake's natural habitat is a South American rain forest. One of the reasons for concern over the destruction of equatorial rain forests in South America and Africa is that many beneficial medicines were developed from plants and animals living there.

Lisinopril is also used to treat patients suffering from congestive heart failure. It is sometimes given to improve the chances of survival after certain types of heart attacks.

Since the body adapts to long-term conditions, when you first start taking Lisinopril a possible side effect is dizziness due to lowered blood pressure. Other possible Lisinopril side effects include lightheadedness; headache; unusual fatigue; dry, tickling cough; muscle cramps; numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs; nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; rash; and impotence.

I dealt with the side effects of dizziness and lightheadedness, which most often occurred upon standing after lying down by turning it into a two-step process. First, I would sit up and allow my head to clear. Once I had regained a sense of balance, then I would slowly stand. If that made me dizzy, then I would take a second or two for the dizziness to pass before attempting to walk. I found moving slowly to be the key in dealing with the lightheadedness and dizziness. After a few months, it all but disappeared. I still experience it on occasion, but when I do, I just take every movement slowly, and that seems to resolve the problem.

I also experienced the dry, tickling cough listed as a side effect of Lisinopril. I found that no amount of any cough suppressant, no number of cough drops, no sprays of numbing solutions helped me. What worked best in ridding me of that nagging tickle in the back of my throat and the never-ending dry cough was keeping my throat wet with hot tea and honey at first. Later I was able to switch to any liquid. Since I live in a part of Texas that routinely reaches 100+ degree days with 98%+ humidity in the summer, it was nice to be able to drink iced beverages instead of hot tea!

Just like the dizziness, this side effect eventually went away. But, your experience may vary. If you have any symptoms indicative of an allergic reaction such as: difficult breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue or face; irregular heartbeat; little or no urine output; chest pain you should immediately seek emergency medical treatment.

Source:
http://www.lisinopril.com/