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What Causes Loose Stools And Abdominal Pain After Taking Lisinopril?

Posted on Tue, 24 Mar 2015

Question: I was recently place on lisinopril for hypertension. I take 2.5mg daily and it is effective but I am having loose stools and abdominal pain. I contacted my doctor and had a BMP to check electrolyte levels ( results pending). My doctor said to cut the lisinopril in half for 2 weeks and then resume the full dose. He says it the most effective medicine for prevention of MI. I am concerned about intestinal angioedema. Do these intestinal symptoms usually resolve? It's really miserable even on 1/2 the dose of medicine.

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need more information

Detailed Answer:
Dear Mrs,

I need more detailed information for answering to your query completely.

1. Do you take only lisinopril or you take other medications as well. In case you take other medications, please indicatate what do you take and doses.
2. For how long have you been taking lisinopril
3. Have you ever diagnosed heart failure, heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease
4. What are your cholesterol levels
5.Have you ever taken any other medication for controlling hypertension. If yes, please indicate what and why it was interrupted or changed
6. How long do you already have abdominal pain and loose stool
7. have you recently made dietary changes or had any infection

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (11 minutes later)

I have no history of heart attack or heart problems. I had sudden onset of hypertension on 12/29/14 and went to an urgent care center with a B/P of 180/110. The urgent care doctor prescribed 10 mg. Norvasc and 25 mg HCTZ. I saw my family doctor 2 days later and he added 5 mg. Lisinopril. At the end of January, I had a hypotensive episode and the medicine was adjusted to 5 mg. Norvasc and 2.5 mg. lisinopril and the HCTZ was d/c"d. My cholesterol levels were good except triglicerides which were slightly elevated at 373. I am a former RN. I don't smoke or drink. I walk 2-3 miles daily for exercise and have been vegetarian for 6 years with no changes in diet. I have no food allergies. I have had the GI symptoms I described since starting lisinopril.

I have no history of diabetes and blood sugar is normal. I am in good health except for hypertension.

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Lisinopril can be safely discontinued

Detailed Answer:
Dear Mrs,

In case you don't have heart failure and have side effects from Lisinopril, it is possible to continue only with Norvasc.
Actually the Lisinopril has favourable effects in case of heart failure. If there is no heart failure, the most important thing in treatment strategy is to achieve normal blood pressure without side effects.
So, if you were my patient I would withdraw Lisinopril and continue with Norvasc, or other medication.

Hope I could help you

Wishing you good health

In case of further questions don't hesitate to ask

Regards,

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar