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Is Lisinopril Linked To Kidney Damage?

Posted on Thu, 12 Nov 2015

Question: Is lisinopil bad for kidneys? my doctors switched me to alpha blockers about 8 months ago because they said it was. Now I have no energy and can not do the same exercise requiem . I have read and talked to others using lisinopil and their doctors say different, I want my life back, I want off alpha blockers if possible.

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Lisinopril is actually kidney protective in certain diseases

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

You are wanting to know if lisinopril was bad for your kidneys. They are and they are not. In certain diseases lisinopril is used to prtect the kidneys from damage. Diabetic patients who have early diabetic nephropathy the standard of care is to start them on lisinopril. The lisinopril reduces the damage and pressure on the kidneys and helps prevent kidney failure.

In contrast people with renal failure can actually get worse with lisinopril and need to be stopped. This is especially seen in patients who are dehydrated and have high potassium levels.

So you need to ask your doctor why he/she stopped your lisinopril. Be firm and make sure you get the answers you want. This is your health we are talking about and you want answers. If your doctor hesitates and does not answer your question then find another because they are not treating you in your best interest.

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions or information that may help me better understand your situation

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

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (16 hours later)

for nearly a year now I have been taking some form of alpha blocker , first it was amlodipine, that made me totally useless and very lethargic, now it is the ones described before in my emails. When I stopped taking amlodipine it took about 5 days and I felt great again, I am now going to stop all alpha blockers and I want to know what to expect, directions always say 'do not stop' without Dr's advice, I have not been diagnosed with renal failure yet, I am doing tests and have some lose of function on the left kidney, but life on these pills is becoming intolerable, I want to get back on lisinopril, at least then I had energy and was able to live reasonably normal. Please describe what to expect over the next week or so as I get the alpha blockers out of my system.

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Monitor blood pressures

Detailed Answer:
If you are going to stop the alpha blocker I would cut them in half for 3 days then take then every other day fro one week. You should bot feel anything different other than the side effects resolving. During this time monitor your blood pressures daily. Goal blood pressure is < 140 on the top number and <90 on the bottom number. See how that works and get back to me or your primary care doctor

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

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (3 days later)

I would like to know about over the counter sleep aids, Excedrin pm or zzzquil by vicks, since I have stopped all alpha blockers I am feeling much more normal yet still having difficulty going to sleep. I used one dose of Excedrin pm last night, Sat. the 18th and finally got a decent nights sleep. My concern is what effect has this on my kidneys? zzzquil specifies asking my doctor before use if I have an enlarged prostate, and I do, what should I be watching for as far as side effects? Thanks, XXXX

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Exedrin PM better sleep aid

Detailed Answer:
The exedrin PM is the better sleep aid as it is only benadryl with tylenol. The ZZZquil has alcohol and that may not be the best thing for your kidneys.

The other problem with using the antihistamines like benadryl or exedrin PM is that it may affect your BPH causing your in effective or difficulty voiding.

All your OTC sleep aids will be some for of antihistamine so you may still have bladder issues with any of the sleep aids. But if you were fine with the exedrin PM then there is no reason to stop it.

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

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (21 hours later)

A follow up question about the voiding issue, as I posted earlier, the docs put me on alfuzisin to help with flow, since I no longer will take this product could you tell me about 'Flomax"', are they, alfuzisin and 'Flomax' the same? Or are they totally different in their makeup? I do need something, but will never use an alpha blocker again, thank you.

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Flomax and Alfuzisin similar

Detailed Answer:
The Flomax(tamsulosin) and Alfuzisin are similar medications and work the same way. So if you had side effects from the Alfuzisin then you will have the same side effects with flomax. To help with your bladder issues you may benefit from proscar but that may take several weeks before you get any noticeable change in your urination.

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

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (22 hours later)

My problem with Alfuzisin was that it is an alpha blocker and since I was already taking prescriptions (two) containing alpha blockers my checking with pharmacists seem to indicate an 'overload' of the system. Does Flomax contain these same ALPHA BLOCKERS??

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
FLomax is an alpha blocker

Detailed Answer:
Yes unfortunately Flomax is another alpha blocker and would give you the same overload symptoms

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

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (3 days later)

I am having bouts of anxiety still, could the stopping of all alpha blockers be the cause? It has been nearly 2 weeks since I stopped the alfuzisin and am now off carvedilol and hydrochlorothiazide. What do I do to help with these bouts. I have an appointment this Monday with the doctor, the 26th.

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (46 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Anxiety

Detailed Answer:
I am sorry to hear that you are still having anxiety issues. These are not a result of your medication. I think you should keep your appointment with your doctor and discuss treatment options.

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