Lisinopril Associated with Many Serious Side Effects, Including Angioedema and Liver Damage


. By Jane Mundy

Lisinopril, 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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