Martian63

I just got put on lisinopril for blood pressure. After one week am hating it. Any cyclists on this or other BP meds? Thanks.

bargainguy

It's a fairly standard ACE inhibitor. What side effects are you experiencing? Dizziness, headache and a "kind of out of it" feeling are fairly common.

If you don't like straight Lisinopril, you can ask your dr. about Zestoretic (Lisinopril + Hydrochlorothiazide, or HCTZ) or HCTZ alone.

HCTZ is a diuretic and works a little differently than Lisinopril. Advantage is it's fairly cheap. Disadvantage is that since it's a diuretic, have to be a little more careful with potassium loss associated with diuresis. Not uncommon for a doc to prescribe supplemental potassium along with a diuretic to mitigate the risks.

BlazingPedals

I'm on lisinopril. High BP runs in my family and my mother (85) is on a ton of meds for it. My cycling let me stay off the stuff for a lot of years, but eventually genetics caught up with me. I had a slight dry cough when I first started, which has gone away. I have to be careful with standing up too quickly, too ; probably related to lowered my resting HR a little bit. But it doesn't seem to have slowed me down on the bike, though.

mprelaw

I've been on 5 mg of lisinopril for 6-7 years. Other than the occasional light headedness if I stand too quickly after sitting for awhile, I haven't had any other side effects, and it certainly has never affected me on the bike.

John_V 

I was on it for a almost a month when I asked my doctor for another type of medication. The coughing that's associated with this medication was so bad that it kept me from going to sleep at night. I'm now on Losartin which has few side effects and I'm tolerating it very well. While some of the pharmacies in my area dispense Lisinopril for free, under Medicare the Losartin costs me $2.65 for a three months supply.

Ravenwing

I was on Lisinopril for a while, but the cough drove me nuts! Have been on Benicar and Amlodipine for some time now, with no ill effects. Though I am rather fond of blaming my poor performance in cycling and, err...other areas, on the medications!

Martian63

Have experienced most of the side effects associated with it. Most objectionable is the dizziness. I feel fine while riding but when I stop feel dizzy. After ride,even short one feel really tired. Thanks for the input. Guess I'm fortunate I got by 65 years before having to take any meds.

icyclist 

I think lisinopril does not lower your heart rate. Beta blockers, which also lower blood pressure, will drop your heart rate.

dagray

went to a real cardiologist instead of the VA practitioner who had put me on Losartan (side effects of this were bad ju-ju for me) and went on 10mg of Lisinopril. Much better results and for me no side effects.

yetirider

We get dished up with Ramipril in the UK, No issues, beta blockers are a whole other issue though.

icyclist 

What don't you like about it?

deacon mark

Losartan 50 mg but I have had HBP since I was 12 years old no joke. Taking meds for 42 years all the the running and cycling probably just keeps me off taking 2 meds.

hillcountry

I've been on Lisinopril for a few years and have had no apparent side effects from it. I was on Metoprolol for a few years and while it lowered my heart rate as a bonus, I was out of breath all the time with no stamina.

ltxi

Lisinopril is an old, dare I say ancient ?, starting point bp med. Cheap and it works, but for a lot of folk the side effects are/can be debilitating. In my case it was the tiredness. Moved on to Hyzaar after a few unpleasant months and that's been working side effect free for me now for many years. Especially now that these newer bp drugs are available in generic I'd see no reason to continue messing with lisinopril.

gitarzan

I've been on Lisinopril for over 25 years. Sure beats the Beta Blockers I was on before. Those things really tanked me out.

Personally I think it's great. There is a bit of half life, where if you forget it for a day or two your (a least MY) BP does not skyrocket. It's been good for me.

canklecat

My 76 y/o mom has been on Lisinopril for a year (switched from another BP med which I can't recall) and Metoprolol for several years. No real problems or adjustments, and that's unusual for her - she tends to react strongly to any med that has even a small risk of side effects. Based on that limited perspective it seems to be pretty safe. The only recent change was taking her off a minor diuretic. Mom used to experience swelling and her weight was too heavy, but over the years she's gradually adjusted her diet, lost about 50 lbs and no longer needs the diuretic.

Fortunately I haven't needed meds for blood pressure. Years ago I did try beta blockers and calcium channel blockers in an attempt to prevent migraines but it didn't work and left me feeling drugged out and useless. Since then I've learned to avoid triggers for migraines and cluster headaches. I do occasionally experience BP spikes close to 200/100, which appears to be related to permanent damage to my C2 vertebrae and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, but it happens so rarely BP meds won't help. And moderate routine exercise and sensible diet seems to keep my BP under control. I don't smoke, drink only moderately on social occasions and my weight at age 58 is only 10 lbs over my ideal weight when I was in peak physical condition in my 20s. Fingers crossed, wood knocked, etc.

Cptimagine

Heart docs had me on beta lockers, clonidine, warfrin, and other nuclear class drugs . Fired them, I could spend a day on the sofa . Great BP, but at the cost of activity . I couldn't ride 5 miles or ANY kind of hill, i.e. driveway, etc . Went to a BP specialist he prescribed "fly swatters " his words", 20 mg. Lisinopril, 25mg of Chlorthalidone, 100mg Magnesium . So far the BP is acceptable, now and then, in heat the dizzy, fast standing effect . I can live with that, after the 9 month, try this pill, try that pill routine .

bo31210

I take Lotrel and it works fine for me with no real side effects. They tired Lisinopril but I felt like a Zombie

Martian63

Don't like the dizziness and how tired I am after riding. Even short rides have worn me out.

mprelaw

I've never experienced any coughing.

billd76

Avapro 150mg, once per day, take it before hitting the rack. Been taking it since 2000. I don't have any side effects, still running, cycling, diving, etc... I was getting ready to run my first marathon when the Doc said I should take, BP was 137/82 when he prescribed it. I fought him on it. He stated it was simple, the lower your BP, the longer you'll live. BP now 117/ 72. The way I was running back then I was shocked to have to take any drugs. My Mom and Pop both had it so guess it as inevitable!

skye

Herbs and acupuncture usually do the trick. No side effects, either.

McBTC

Initially just bystolic about 2.5 years ago and then bystolic and lisinopril for the last 1.5 years. Definitely lowered my heart rate and have had a cough (it's not all the time) that may be associated with lisinopril based on what I've read on the web but I didn't have it until getting a virus that was going around about 6 mos. ago. Could be me but I think lisinopril lowered by metabolism as I have to work harder to stay within my caloric requirements.

Cougrrcj

I have High blood pressure history on both sides of my family - both mother and father were on BP meds (and dad also on tranquilizers) before age 30. I managed to avoid needing any BP meds til I turned 42. As of six years ago, I've been taking the max dosage of Lisinopril - 40mg, in addition to 10mg Amlodipine, and 25mg Hydrochlorothyazide, and 200u Potassium.

Did I mention that I worked for the Post Office for 33 years, lol! Now that I've been retired for three years, my BP has dropped by 20 points (gee, I wonder why ) so I may be able to reduce my BP dosages after I see the Quactor in a couple of months.

Of course I could stand to lose more than a few pounds, and this is my year to ride a bunch and improve my aerobic fitness now that I have all of my other health issues squared away that caused me to be out of the saddle since May of 2011... I should be back in full riding form by August.

nobodyhere

I was doing well on Diovan/HCTZ and changed to a well-known national HMO who were too cheap to keep me on Diovan and changed me to an ACE inhibitor, and the coughing drove me nuts.

Left that lousy cheapo non-profit (almost ruined my heart, also) and changed to a real doctor and went back on Diovan/HCTZ, which is now generic, and doing very well. I have tried all the other BP meds and can't tolerate any of them, so Diovan it is for me. HBP runs in the family - very much.

Generic Diovan is Valsartan