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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> lisinopril(BP med) 
        
(Message started by: Squale on Nov 23^rd, 2002, 9:18am)

Title: lisinopril(BP med)
Post by Squale on Nov 23^rd, 2002, 9:18am

I think I figured out what is causing my constant headache.I was on prinivil and insurance changed to generic and around the start of lisinopril I have been having all day headaches with nightly clusters which oxygen cant even touch.I read headache is a side effect.Can this be?

Title: Re: lisinopril(BP med)
Post by ChristineL on Nov 23^rd, 2002, 7:34pm

I don't know about the med you are on but Verapamil is a blood pressure med that also ironically works for CH's - or maybe its the other way around. Either way it takes care of both in my case.

Chris L

Title: Re: lisinopril(BP med)
Post by Ueli on Nov 23^rd, 2002, 9:51pm

Squale,
Lisinopril (that's the generic or chemical name) is an old stuff and therefore made by different manufacturers, each with his own brand name: Prinivil, Zestril, Prinzide, Prinzide.
I don't think the various brands make a difference, unless you are allergic to one of the fillers or colorants, they may vary from on manufacturer to the next.

You didn't tell if you are using Lisinopril to control high blood pressure or specifically for CH.
Lisinopril is an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor, that is, it reduces the enzymatic conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. The later is a potent vasoconstrictor, it increases blood pressure. Therefore, ACE inhibitors reduce blood pressure by reducing the production of the vasoconstricting angiotensin II. To prevent or abort a cluster attack this mechanism is not very useful, quite in the contrary: Sumatriptan (Imitrex) gives a strong signal to constrict the vessels and oxygen rich blood (due to breathing pure O₂) provokes an autonomous signal to constrict the arteries in the head.
Other meds often used to control high blood pressure are calcium channel blockers (like Verapamil). They work differently: By making the muscles around the blood vessels less responsive to nerve signals high BP is lowered by relaxing overtight arteries. Making the muscles around the arteries respond sluggishly (and that is not ironic Christine) helps to reduce their rapid expansion at the start of a CH attack, thus damping (or even suppressing) the attack.

Squale, if you take Lisinopril for high BP, ask your doctor it could be replaced by calcium channel blockers (like Verapamil), thus squashing two flies in one hit. If it is intended as CH preventative only, it is time for your doctor to learn that much better results are achieved with Ca channel blockers, and with much less side effects than from ACE inhibitors.

Good luck,
Ueli

Title: Re: lisinopril(BP med)
Post by Squale on Nov 28^th, 2002, 8:11am

I am(was) taking lisinopril for high blood pressure.Since I stopped taking it I have NOT had much pain at all.Maybe a tension h/a here or there but my clusters seemed to go away for now.I have not gotten to doc yet to urge him to put me on vermapril.My family thinks Im nuts to stop taking this important medicine but I absolutely know it is this medicine that was triggering all day headaches with cluster headache once a night everynight.Doc has been on vacation but will be in tomorrow and I will be at his office waiting for him.Thanks for info