Houston, TXLisinopril, used to treat hypertension, congestive heart failure and heart attack, is associated with many side effects including liver damage. Beverly was diagnosed with angioedema (which can be life-threatening) as a direct result of Lisinopril, according to her hospital doctors.
Beverly started taking Lisinopril in 2001 when she was diagnosed with hypertension. "I took it for a few years and felt OK, but a few years later my blood pressure was out of control," says Beverly, "so my physician's assistant prescribed Lisinopril 40mg, up from the 10mg I was taking." At that time Beverly mentioned her swollen gums, thinking it might be a Lisinopril side effect, but the assistant wasn't concerned. "My blood pressure didn't drop, but the doctor dropped the Lisinopril back to 10mg??"I don't know why.
"About a year later I had difficulty breathing but chalked it up to a summer cold," Beverly adds. "One Friday night my blood pressure soared so much that my friend took me to ER. I was released Sunday afternoon??"the doctor didn't notice the swelling of my lips, gums, and tongue; he ordered me to continue the Lisinopril, but all my symptoms were getting progressively worse. The following Friday night I was just getting out of the shower when I called 911??"I could hardly breathe, I was gasping for air. I met the paramedics in the street and just about fell into the ambulance.
"An allergy specialist saw me and took me off the Lisinopril immediately; he told me that this med was causing the swelling and my breathing problems, so thanks to Lisinopril I was hospitalized for a week and racked up about $23,000 in medical bills." (Beverly doesn't have health insurance so this has also caused her severe financial problems.)
Beverly was diagnosed with angioedema, a condition that involves the rapid swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, arms or legs. It is an allergic reaction; although mild cases may not require medical treatment, severe cases can lead to life-threatening problems, such as difficulty breathing. According to the Western Journal of Medicine, severe angioedema and respiratory distress can be caused by Lisinopril.
"I was put on a different hypertension med and felt well enough to go home," says Beverly. "I tried talking to the clinic administrator where I was first prescribed Lisinopril but nobody would talk to me. I changed doctors but she advised that I go back on Lisinopril, despite me telling her its side effects. Needless to say, I talked her into prescribing another drug. I still have trouble breathing and often have inflammation in my ankles, feet and legs??"I'm certain all these symptoms are caused by Lisinopril. I don't know whether they are long-term side effects or not, and naturally I wonder if they will get any worse."
Beverly is hopeful that she has a case against the drug manufacturer and that an attorney will review her claim.
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