Friday, December 10, 2010

I have been started on lisinopril and have started to develop leg cramps especially at night. Are the cramps related to my medication?

Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor and is quite effective for blood pressure.

The most common reported side effects of this medication include a drug cough, mild nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, headaches and dizziness. Muscle cramps or spams are very rare with lisinopril but they have been reported. The cramps often occur after long term use and usually subside when the drug is discontinued. 

The best advice is to see your doctor,  get some blood work done and look at the levels of calcium and potassium. Perhaps your doctor should also check your legs and ensure that you do not have any peripheral vascular disease. If the cramps are severe, you may need a change in your blood pressure medication. 

In the mean time, do not stop or change the dose of lisinopril until you have been seen by your doctor

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