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]

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.

[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

[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.

[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.