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My Question Is About My Father Who Is 83. He

Posted on Fri, 20 Nov 2020

Question: My question is about my father who is 83. He was put on lisinopril in July in addition to the atenolol he was already taking. He started getting what looked like bug bites, he went to his doctor, all over his body about 2 weeks after starting it. He has had a lot of other symptoms in the meantime. His dr took him off the lisinopril this week, Monday, and he put him on atenolol chlorthalidone 100/25. He was previously on 50 mg atenolol only before the lisinopril and throughout. His brain fog he had had while on lisinopril cleared up and he was starting to feel better until today, which is day 4 of the new med. He has been sluggish, lethargic, extremely tired and tonight has visual hallucinations of ants all over the room. They stopped and he hasn't seen it again but I need to know is this a reason to go to the ER or should he stop the med and go back to his original 50 mg atenolol which he has plenty of until he can see his dr on Monday.

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (0 minute later)

My question is about my father who is 83. He was put on lisinopril in July in addition to the atenolol he was already taking. He started getting what looked like bug bites, he went to his doctor, all over his body about 2 weeks after starting it. He has had a lot of other symptoms in the meantime. His dr took him off the lisinopril this week, Monday, and he put him on atenolol chlorthalidone 100/25. He was previously on 50 mg atenolol only before the lisinopril and throughout. His brain fog he had had while on lisinopril cleared up and he was starting to feel better until today, which is day 4 of the new med. He has been sluggish, lethargic, extremely tired and tonight has visual hallucinations of ants all over the room. They stopped and he hasn't seen it again but I need to know is this a reason to go to the ER or should he stop the med and go back to his original 50 mg atenolol which he has plenty of until he can see his dr on Monday.

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (14 minutes later)

I also forgot to mention he has confusion and brain fog again since starting this med for the past 2 days and has been a bit woozy/dizzy also.

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (0 minute later)

I also forgot to mention he has confusion and brain fog again since starting this med for the past 2 days and has been a bit woozy/dizzy also.

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (1 minute later)

When he was on the lisinopril that started all of this (2 months ago) these are what he had all over him that his dr called bug bites. He still has 2 on his buttock but they are going away. I am attaching photos.

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (0 minute later)

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (32 minutes later)

Also he just had yearly labs in July and everything was all normal.

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (0 minute later)

Also he just had yearly labs in July and everything was all normal.

Answered by Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
The symptoms seem to be related to a reaction from lisinopril.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

The symptoms of your father seem to be related to an allergic reaction to Lisinopril.
Lisinopril is a medication prescribed to lower the blood pressure.
In case that the blood pressure of your father is normal, there is no need for other treatment.
He can continue using Atenolol 50 mg.
I recommend to measure frequently the blood pressure, at least twice a day.
If the blood pressure is over the normal range, you should see your doctor again for an alternative treatment.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Kind regards!

Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi
General &Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Answered by Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (0 minute later)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (45 minutes later)

He is no longer taking the lisinopril. He is on the atenolol combine medication I mentioned. That is what would cause this?

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (0 minute later)

He is no longer taking the lisinopril. He is on the atenolol combine medication I mentioned. That is what would cause this?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The Atenolol combine medication can cause side effects.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,

Atenolol/Chlorthalidone 100/25 can also cause side effects.
So, your father symptoms can be related to this new treatment.
I suggest to measure the blood pressure regularly.
If the blood pressure is normal, he can continue only with Atenolol 50 g as before.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Kind regards!

Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi
General &Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj