Zestril and side effects...

[Andy Domonkos]

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

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

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.

[peppino77]

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.

[Andy Domonkos]

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

[Andy Domonkos]

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

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

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.

[monte]

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.

[JOHN LUNT]

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.

[debbie]

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

[Jesus Santos]

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?

[Bob R.]

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.

[r.esbe]

what effect does zestril have on penile erection

[gayle green]

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.

[Jackie Simmons]

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

[Linda]

What are the side effects of the medication Zestril?

[charles h. harrison]

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?

[Betty Spiva]

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 and his sleep, but has not helped with his energy level.  He is still wondering if Zestril or any other of his medications are culprits.  He is 59 and is also taking Pravacol, and Prevacid.

[Robert Yost]

I am a 75 yr old male.  Had By-pass surgery 13 yrs ago with no with no problems until 3 months ago when I started to have problems with swollen legs, water retention, and cannot get my breath.  When laying down I get the feeling that I am drowing. I take zocor 10 mg, norvasc 10 mg, aspirin, and my Dr, added zestril 5mg, and lopressor 50 mg twice a day. Is this normal?

[Peter Linder]

I am taking Zestril 20mg.,Cardizem 240mg.and 5mg. of Norvasc.
My G.P. has upped the Zestril Dosage to 30mg.I cannot tolerate the increased Dosage,irregular Heartbeat and an increase in Tinnitus that is beyond tolerable.My B.P. measured to-day ranged
from 172/104 to 160/100.
I am presently undergoing treatment for Prostate cancer,Zolodex
Implant ( 3 month Dosage ),34 Sessions of Radiation are behind me.Since the onset of the Zolodex treatment my weight has gone
from 210 lbs. to 245 lbs.
I am a 63 year old white male,6'3'',retired,nonsmoker.
Any Advice would be greatly appreciated.
                  Thank you, Peter Linder

[Debbie Patchen]

Question?:
My husband is taking zestril for high blood pressue. He is experiencing a terrible, constant nagging cough, sleeplessness, fatigue. Is there anything he should be/or not be doing? His blood pressue has dropped condsiderably. Thank you for your help.

[Dr. David McQuilton]

I have been taking Zestril, 5mg, for about 1 year, with a cough at night the only prolem. I have read that the herbal treatment Hawthorn, taken three times a day is succesful for some people. I am thinking of transferring to this treatment shortly, to see if it works. My GP said he didn't know if this would work, but said that the problem with herbal treatment is that the dosage cannot be gauranteed. Has anyone else any experience with Hawthorn?
I do know that an extract from this tree is used to treat people with heart attacks.

[Robbie Robison]

I started taking "Zestril" approx six months ago, don't know if this is the problem or not but ? I passed out on two different occassions while eating. Just prior to passing out I was having some trouble swallowing. I discussed this with my Doctor but he doesn't tkink zestril is the problem.

Request comments from anyone taking this drug ?

Thanks

[Teresa Loye Cummings]

My mother who is 60 years old has been taking 5mg once a day, for several weeks.  She has been experiencing dizziness and nose bleeds daily.  
Does this medication cause these type of side effects.  She also is taking Triam.Hctz can this medication cause the above side effects.  Please respond asap.

Thank-you

***@****

[Carol]

I have been taking Zestril 10 mg. I have been not able not able sleep because I have uncontrolable coking , coughing, and iching ing my throat. Could this drug cause this.

[robert lusk [e-mail]]

can your body get used to zestril and it not work anymore, i've been taking it for five years and now it does not seem to work anymore, i'm only 23 yrs old skinny and i exersize quite a bit i've never done any illegal drugs and i've never smoked. now i have just began taking atenolol is this a good medication for me? also i first noticed zestril was not working for me when i stand up and walk it gets high, is this normal the num. 160/95 if i sit i would be normal it also gets this high when i would talk what might this mean but for now atenolol seems to be keeping it down with a dose of 25mg  zestril was only 5

[joan]

I've been on Zestril 5 mg. since late June, for a weak heart.  I've recently been put on a thyroid medication for hypothyroid.  I find myself light headed...sometimes so bad I have to get my head down.  (It happened in a store last week, to my great embarassment.  Is sit the Zestril?

[joan]

I am taking 5 mg. zestril since mid June.I take it in the morning on an empty stomach.  I was also put on synthroid at that time, and several days ago on aciphex.  Something is making me have dizzy spells.  Embarassingly, it happened in the store the other day, and I had to keep my head down, breathing hard.  It happened again, but I was at home, and could lay down.  Which one is the culprit?

[joan]

I am taking 5 mg. zestril since mid June.I take it in the morning on an empty stomach.  I was also put on synthroid at that time, and several days ago on aciphex.  Something is making me have dizzy spells.  Embarassingly, it happened in the store the other day, and I had to keep my head down, breathing hard.  It happened again, but I was at home, and could lay down.  Which one is the culprit?  I'm new on this computer, and am not sure my last query got through.

[Joe]

I just started taking Zestril 5 mg. Does alcohol have an effect on you if takenm in moderation?

[ray]

My BP is always high in the doctor's office..160's over upper 90's. However, home monitoring shows BP in the high normal range...130's over mid-80's, but sometimes a little higher. I took dyazide for about 6 weeks to relieve some ear pressure and it lowered my BP to normal, except in the doctor's office where it was still high.  I was experiencing pressure in my head that was continuous so the doctor took me off the dyazide and prescribed 5 mg of zestril a day. After just one pill, my BP was 119/72...and at one point during the day, it was 98/69. Today, for the second dose, I took 2.5 mg and will monitor BP thruout the day.  My questions are: has anyone experienced head pressure while on a diuretic; and has anyone else had such immediate results with zestril?