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Zestril and side effects...
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MedHelp Member's Question

Zestril and side effects...

by Andy Domonkos, Dec 27, 1999 12:00AM
Last Thursday was my 3rd dose (5mg/daily) of Zestril.  3 hours after taking pill I became lightheaded, short of breath (need to take large breaths every so often), slight discomfort in chest, tongue felt 'cold/numb' and color was pale (not the normal pink hue).  Also, I appeared to retain water even after drinking 3 large glasses of water.  BP would rise to 140/90 during this time. About 5 hours after pill I finally had to empty my bladder.

Afterwards my BP normalizes to 120/70.



Friday night I took only 1/2 of the 5mg tablet with chest discomfort as the only side effect.  Saturday I skipped a dose and Sunday I again took only 1/2 of the pill with the same chest discomfort.



My concern is the chest discomfort even at such a low doseage (2.5mg).  If I need to step up to 5 mg or more will I again face water retention?  What is this doing to my kidneys when normally I should have plenty of urine output?  This is the second BP med I've tried in two weeks (Atenolol was the first). Although the discomfort is no where as severe as with Atenolol I am still hoping this is not a way of life living on BP meds.



Thanks.



Andy
Doctor's Answer

by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC, Dec 28, 1999 12:00AM
These are not typical side effects of zestril.  More common side effects are low blood pressure and cough.  I would notify your doctor about what you are experiencing and follow his/her advice.
Member Comments (29)

by peppino77, Dec 27, 1999 12:00AM
I take 5mg Zestril daily, but my doctor insists I take it last thing before I go to sleep.



If your b.p. is 120/70 surely that is excellent if not slightly low.

Zestril seems to be working with you.

You might find that taking it at night will get rid of the unpleasant symptoms.



Drink loads of water, reduce salt completely and check sugar.

ARE u overweight?

Happy new year anyway.

by Andy Domonkos, Dec 28, 1999 12:00AM
My GP (my second in 3 weeks) advised my to stop taking the Zestril.  1/2 of a 5mg pill seems to keep my BP in the 120/70 range for nearly 48 hours.



This GP has decided to run thyroid tests after taking into consideration all my symptoms of the past year.



I am 41, 5ft10", 165 lbs.  My BP was normal after losing 30lbs in a wellness program (diet and excercise) and the past 6 months has been elevating again, along with other symptoms that are akin to hypothyroidism.  



The tests should reveal, hopefully.



Andy

by Andy Domonkos, Dec 28, 1999 12:00AM
My GP (my second in 3 weeks) advised my to stop taking the Zestril.  1/2 of a 5mg pill seems to keep my BP in the 120/70 range for nearly 48 hours.



This GP has decided to run thyroid tests after taking into consideration all my symptoms of the past year.



I am 41, 5ft10", 165 lbs.  My BP was normal after losing 30lbs in a wellness program (diet and excercise) and the past 6 months has been elevating again, along with other symptoms that are akin to hypothyroidism.  



The tests should reveal, hopefully.



Andy

by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC, Dec 28, 1999 12:00AM
Taking it at night can help reduce some of the side-effects but be sure to check with your doctor before changing the timing of medication.  It does help also to decrease salt intake drastically.

by monte, Jan 12, 2000 12:00AM
I have been taking Zestril for a 2 years and it seems like it is

hendering my performants in the bedroom. I am 42 and my sleep pattern has been effected because of my job. I am now on 3 shift at work and that may have something to do with it too.

by JOHN LUNT, Feb 19, 2000 12:00AM
I AM A32YYEAR OLD MALE AND HAVE HAD HIGH BLOD PRESSURE FOR

OVER SEVEN YEARS NOW THE MEDICATION I TAKE IS ZESTRIL 30MG

ATENALOL 50MG AND BENDSOFLURIDE 2.5MG

I AM FINDING I HARD TO CONTROL AND STABILISE MY BLOOD PRSSURE

AND I AM STARTING TO GET PAINS IN MY ARMS AND LEGS LIKE A TYPE

OF WEAKENING COULD THIS BE LONG USE OF A PARTICULAR DRUG OR MAYBE

SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

by debbie, Mar 12, 2000 12:00AM
I have been on zestril since last July.  That is when I started with a bad hacking cough.  Sometimes soooo bad that it makes me gag, etc.  Any comments.  Please answer.  Thanks

by Jesus Santos, Mar 19, 2000 12:00AM
I am a CAD patient (CABGx3 performed on Nov. 99) on Coumadin 2 mg qd for atrial fibrillation, Zestril 5 mg qd for high BP, Imdur 60 mg qd, Folic acid 1 mg qd and Digoxin, 0.125 mg qd.  At the time I began taking Zestril, I did not experience light headedness, nor chest discomfort which I am experiencing at the present time. Can those side effects attributed to Zestril, or is there is any drug interactions among the medications I am taking responsible for these side effects?

by Bob R., Mar 24, 2000 12:00AM
I have been taking zestril for several years 5mg a day and had gotten good results. L have now developed a new heart condition and have been prescribed a new dosage of 10mg taken ywice a day.lhave now developed a slight swelling and tenderness in my breasts.

by r.esbe, Mar 30, 2000 12:00AM
what effect does zestril have on penile erection

by gayle green, Apr 24, 2000 12:00AM
I started on zestril just before Christmas and developed a cold in the middle of January.  The cough would not go away, then got another cold and the cough continued. Went on three antibiotics until my doctor told me to go off the zestril in March. The cough was so bad, I could not sleep, also had a constant cough during day that interfered with teaching.  It took over two weeks before the cough went away after I stopped taking zestril.  I wish that I had been told that the cough is a common side effect.  The nurse told me it was just a cold when I called back and I went through weeks of coughing.  It got to be pretty uncomfortable and I missed work, thinking I should rest more, etc., when it was the zestril.  People should receive more of a warning.

by Jackie Simmons, May 04, 2000 12:00AM
I've been on Zestril for a few months.  At about the same time I adopted a cat.  Not long after that I started to cough to the point where some times I gag and produce a lot of phlems.  Do you think it is the zestril or the cat?  Thank you

by Linda, May 20, 2000 12:00AM
What are the side effects of the medication Zestril?

by charles h. harrison, May 21, 2000 12:00AM


Taking Zestril for three

years now.  BP is in normal range (down

from from 160/110. Seems to work but I have

devoped myoclonus that may be described as

tardive dysakensia.  Muscular spasms during

bedtime hours. Can Zestril be the problem?

by Betty Spiva, Jun 04, 2000 12:00AM
My husband has been on Zestril 10MG for almost a year. His blood pressure is great, but he has had a great loss of energy and is gaining weight.  He informed his physician of this condition for which he suggested sleep apnea.  After testing for sleep apnea, he was diagnosed with it, and fitted with a C-PAP.  The C-PAP has greatly helped my sleep