Lisinopril for high BP

[MegCleary]

Anyone take it, any advice? Due to start this evening, pharmacist recommended at bed time first one in case I get dizzy. Does it really drop it that fast?

If only! I was worried when first prescribed but no it took a while but pretty good in my case where other medication had failed. Also I tolerate it very well. But do take it as advised as people are different.

Thanks for replying

I've been on Lisinopril for about three years now and it really suits (only one kidney and I need to protect it by keeping BP down).

The first day, I felt a bit dizzy but it soon passed and I've had no reaction since. My BP dropped from quite high to an average 99/70 so it's well controlled but the drop took about a fortnight.

As PP said, everyone's different but I'm sure it will work out for you.

It gives me a dry cough, but other than that, it’s fine.

I know literally nothing about medication for BP but weirdly, I was reading an article about this very subject this morning. It is from Tuesday's The Times which I know is behind a paywall so I have naughtily taken a photo of the article for you OP. Don't know if you can blow it up enough to read it?

I take mine in the morning, (but plan to ask dr. next visit about taking it at night). It took about a month for it to really kick in, but once it did, it brought my blood pressure down to normal. Absolutely no side effects. YMMV, of course.

That’s a fascinating article, thanks for sharing. I feel reassured by the replies. Feel a bit of a failure ending up on meds at 42 but am working on losing weight

Meg sometimes high bp is genetic so not always due to lifestyle. Of course losing weight, eating healthily, walking, quitting smoking and drinking is bound to help.

Mine dropped the first evening I took it but I didn't feel dizzy and it went from really high to top of the normal range.

So been on 2.5mg for 25 days now and I take it at 7pm daily. BP gone from 146/99 pre medication to 123/89 (this is an average over 6 days of readings).

Was hoping it would go lower than 89 to be fair. Watching my salt intake and reducing my alcohol. Weight not shifting despite trying a bit to calorie count, must try harder.

Have a review with the practice nurse tomorrow what do you think she’ll do, increase the dose? Continue to monitor.

Bump

Meg I don't think they'll increase it yet, you are doing great mine took a lot longer to drop. Just keep taking the tablets as they say, might come down further with time.

Thank you for replying we shall see what tomorrow brings

Staying on the same dose, do another week of readings mid January and she’ll review them and give me a ring.

Reading in clinic was 138/82, bloods all good and she wants to do a renal scan too.

Great readings Meg! Good bloods are OK too and renal scan I was quite glad to have it done but my bp had been much worse than yours. I would say easily and swiftly sorted in your case.

I’m a bit over the age they recommend a scan but she’s going to ask if it’s appropriate as I’m young (bless her!).

So another week of readings at the nurses request and average 124/91 so not as good but not that different so I imagine they will increase it to 5mg daily any one any experience?

I guess they'll want to get you below 135/85 mmHg (unless you have diabetes or some other complication). 2.5 mg is quite a low dose to start on unless you're already taking a diuretic - starting dose is usually 10 mg - but they might want to exclude possible causes (e.g. kidney disorder) before increasing it. 2.5. mg would be a typical starting dose for ramipril.

I'm on three separate antihypertensives and haven't had any significant side-effects. If lisinopril makes you cough (like @FeckTheMagicDragon) they can switch you to something like candesartan or valsartan.

I take it but my bp was still too high and I was on the maximum dose. If you have Netflix try watching "The Game Changer" - stick with the boring and apparently irrelevant start! I changed my diet and for the first time in years my bp is below 130 - and dropping. At my check up today it was 105/ 65

No side effects thankfully and practice nurse has upped it to 5mg. I was a bit gutted the low dose didn’t work but fingers crossed. Have to do repeat bloods in two weeks and repeat readings in a month.

So just started my week of readings and they are me freaking out. Been on 5mg a months and bp gone up. Current average 126/93!!! Gutted. Have a few more days to do. I take it at 7pm morning readings (about 07:30) 122/85 but evening readings (about 20:00) 140/100!!!!!!
Gutted, any thought why higher dose not helping! I know I have a few more days to get the average for the week but now I am anxious when taking my bp as its high and an I starting a vicious circle.
Advice appreciated. Big holiday in 5 weeks Disneyworld. Am now scared about the rides as have high bp, am just generally scared and sad and worried.

The recommended dosage to control bp is 10mg, so youre only on half the recommended amount still. I would imagine they will up your dosage and recheck bloods afterwards. It will probably all be sorted for your holiday, so don't panic and enjoy it!

Thanks for the reassurance, am trying to relax a bit about it.

I know, its not easy is it? I always feel like I'm getting judged because hypertension is affected by lifestyle but even eating well, being a good weight and exercising didnt make a jot of difference for me, so I take lisinopril, but my readings always go up in a medical setting now. It does sometimes take time to get the dosage right and mine was increased after a few months when I first started taking it. Theyll get you sorted and you can enjoy all those rides!

I just don’t think it will be in normal range in five weeks the way things are going and I have told my travel insurance I started meds, I need to ring them and say they have increased not sure what will happen if I explain they are still adjusting meds when I go abroad. Then I worry that if I do go on rides that say don’t go on if you have high blood pressure and I have a problem (which many health care professionals say I won’t!) I won’t be covered by my insurance.
I am mainly a ball of worry