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What Causes Leg Cramps While On Lisinopril?
Posted on
Sat, 26 Aug 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 26 Aug 2017
Answered on
Mon, 11 Sep 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : No real blood pressure issues until about 12 days ago, then sudden elevation of top number at night with lower number not increasing. I had been taking lisinopril 20 mg for a several years but no other blood pressure meds. Morning reading would be near normal. Put on Amlodpine Besylate 5 mg 8 days ago but dosage was increased to 10 mg today. My initial jump was 190/63 at 7:00 pm after 8 days of new medication my evening reading was 163/60 at 7:00 pm. Increased leg cramps. Morning readings average about 135/55 with average pulse rate about 56. I an diabetic and take metformin HCL 875 mg twice per day. Night sweets last two nights, two fairly strong and last night fairly minor. I am just seeing a GP who has treated me for years. I am 72. Is this an aggressive enough treatment plan? If not what do I need to be doing?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your medical history and would explain that being on dual anti-hypertensive therapy is not too much, especially considering your elevated blood pressure values.
Sometimes, it becomes necessary to switch to much more combinations. As there is no predefined superior anti-hypertensive scheme, not rarely several combinations are tried in order to find the most appropriate therapy.
Amlodipine and Lisinopril are generally well-tolerated, but sometimes they exert certain adverse effects.
Muscle cramps may be an adverse effect of Amlodipine use, but other factors may be responsible as well.
Coming to this point, a careful differential diagnosis should be done.
You need to refer this complaint to the prescribing doctor.
In addition, when considering high blood pressure treatment, it is necessary performing several medical tests (to explore potential responsible organ dysfunction):
- resting ECG,
- cardiac ultrasound,
- chest X ray study,
- complete blood count,
- thyroid hormones level,
- kidney and liver function tests,
- blood electrolytes level,
- blood glucose levels,
You need to discuss with your doctor on the above mentioned issues.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further questions, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your medical history and would explain that being on dual anti-hypertensive therapy is not too much, especially considering your elevated blood pressure values.
Sometimes, it becomes necessary to switch to much more combinations. As there is no predefined superior anti-hypertensive scheme, not rarely several combinations are tried in order to find the most appropriate therapy.
Amlodipine and Lisinopril are generally well-tolerated, but sometimes they exert certain adverse effects.
Muscle cramps may be an adverse effect of Amlodipine use, but other factors may be responsible as well.
Coming to this point, a careful differential diagnosis should be done.
You need to refer this complaint to the prescribing doctor.
In addition, when considering high blood pressure treatment, it is necessary performing several medical tests (to explore potential responsible organ dysfunction):
- resting ECG,
- cardiac ultrasound,
- chest X ray study,
- complete blood count,
- thyroid hormones level,
- kidney and liver function tests,
- blood electrolytes level,
- blood glucose levels,
You need to discuss with your doctor on the above mentioned issues.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further questions, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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