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Is Lisinopril Intake Safe For Kidney Malfunction When Suffering From Diabetes?

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Posted on Wed, 4 Feb 2015
Question: I have had Type II Diabetes for over 9 years ( D.O.B. 26.06.1933 ) without medication and well controlled by diet and consistent - weight 10st.5lbs. -height 5ft. 6ins.- blood glucose ( finger prick ) 7.3 mmol/l - HbA1C 52 - Chol. 4.5 (LDL. 2.2 / HDL.1.8 / TRIG. 1.2 ) - B.P. 123/70 - Pulse 65 . I am told for the first time that my kidneys are not in as good a condition as they could be , although not serious. Have been asked to take Lisinopril 2.5 mg. to protect my kidneys.
I have read the leaflet provided by the manufacturers and data provided on - line and it appears that this drug can be used to treat kidney problems caused caused by Type II Diabetes in people with high blood pressure, which I don't have, and there are many very serious, possible side-effects, including problems with the kidneys themselves and even kidney failure!! At its best this seems counter-productive and beyond that highly dangerous.
Your guidance would be greatly appreciated and perhaps there is alternative medication, which is more apposite to my condition, without the huge range of side effects - for example, kidney problems might occur in 1 to 10 users in 1,000 !!
Many thanks, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
there are alternatives available

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Lisinopril is in the family of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE inhibitors ,as well as ARB medications, are used as kidney protective drugs in diabetics.

They can be used in hypertension and heart failure but are used for kidney protection in persons with no history of heart failure or hypertension.
This family of drugs is very good at protecting the kidneys from any damage related to diabetes.

There are possible side effects of this and all medications. These effects may or may not occur.
There are persons who may use it with only beneficial effects but if you are not comfortable there are other ACE inhibitors or ARB medications that can be used

ACE inhibitors: enalapril, ramipril, perindopril, quinapril, benazepril

ARB: candesartan, telmisartan, valsartan, losartan

One of the above may be used instead of the lisinopril.

Your doctor can prescribe one of these for you.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (13 hours later)
Thank you for your reply.
Regarding Lisinoprol, I see that in my initial question I said that this drug could cause kidney problems in 1 to 10 users in 1,000, this should have read " in 100."
I am puzzled as to why this drug is used for patients with no history of high blood pressure, when the manufurers say this is the purpose for people with a kidney problem. This was one of the main reasons for my enquiry.
Do the other ACE inhibitors you mention have the same possible side-effects, assuming they are relevant to my condition?
Again, assuming the ARB medications are relevant to me, would I risk the same,or similar side- effects as with ACE?

I realise that there could be side-effects with most if not all medications, but my concern is not to get involved with those where the problems can be as, or more, serious than the condition being treated, at the time. In my case, when the condition is said not to be serious ( acceptably, at this stage ), we have gone immediately to a drug, which seemed to me not to be specifically relevant and with the potential for very serious consequences. My thought is that a review of my diet and a further blood test, before my next diabetic check-up, in 6 months time, would be more appropriate.
I cannot know nor sift the true facts and can only use common sense with what I read, and this without medical knowledge.
T. XXXXXXX
Your further advice would be much appreciated.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
normally meds started at 1st sign of renal issues

Detailed Answer:
HI

Any of the ACE or ARb medications can be used in diabetics for renal protection.

In terms of the side effect profile of the different types of medications mentioned, they do all have potential side effects that may or may not occur.
The specific possible effects may vary from one drug to the other.

Ramipril: risk of genitourinary side effects is 0.1 to 1%
Quinapril: risk is 0.1 to 10%
Enalapril: risk of possible effects is 1 to 10 %
benazepril: approx 1 to 2%
perindopril:similiar to above

Telmisartan: rare renal side effects
Candesartan: renal effects in approximately 0.5%
Valsartan: exact frequency not reported but uncommmon
Losartan:approx 0.1%


If you are not comfortable using a medication at this stage then you can discuss this with your doctor. In the end the decision is yours.
In diabetes, renal disease does not normally regress but progression can be slowed or halted by diabetic control , tight blood pressure control and renal protective medications.

In most cases medications is initiated when there is any evidence of renal involvement so it is not unusual that your doctor started medication.

You can consider speaking to your doctor regarding your concerns regarding the use of medication.

Please feel free to ask anything else
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Is Lisinopril Intake Safe For Kidney Malfunction When Suffering From Diabetes?

Brief Answer: there are alternatives available Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Lisinopril is in the family of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE inhibitors ,as well as ARB medications, are used as kidney protective drugs in diabetics. They can be used in hypertension and heart failure but are used for kidney protection in persons with no history of heart failure or hypertension. This family of drugs is very good at protecting the kidneys from any damage related to diabetes. There are possible side effects of this and all medications. These effects may or may not occur. There are persons who may use it with only beneficial effects but if you are not comfortable there are other ACE inhibitors or ARB medications that can be used ACE inhibitors: enalapril, ramipril, perindopril, quinapril, benazepril ARB: candesartan, telmisartan, valsartan, losartan One of the above may be used instead of the lisinopril. Your doctor can prescribe one of these for you. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions