Lisinopril for reduced ejection fraction?

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Wendyspet
Wendyspet Member Posts: 246
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

My ejection fraction decreased on Herceptin from 67 to 54%.  (I started chemo June 9 and am 3+weeks PFC now.)  The cardiologist prescribed the lowest dose of lisinopril and said he was fairly sure it would help my EF.  Of course, when I search it on BC.org, I see the study which claimed a higher recurrance rate for users of this medicine, but the study was new and fairly small, so I am on the fence....

However, my blood pressure is already fairly low to normal, and I am wondering when is the best time to take lisinopril to have the fewest side effects?  Maybe at night? 

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited October 2011

    I would not take this medicine if I read that.  I declined the procrit shot after reading the same thing about it ( it is to boost red blood cells if you are anemic)...An ejection fraction of 54 is still normal.  Mine went down to 45.  I still got Herceptin and I never went on any medication.  I also have lower blood pressure. I really don't think you need this medication with a 54 ejection fraction and normal (not high) blood pressure.

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited October 2011

    I can't believe I'm the only one who replied!  I hope you get more replies soon!

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  • Wendyspet
    Wendyspet Member Posts: 246
    edited October 2011

    Thanks Kathleen.  I'm on the fence about this.  I got the script filled, but think I am going to wait until the results of my echocardiogram come in, and discuss it with whichever of my doctors I see first.

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  • Izzy325
    Izzy325 Member Posts: 59
    edited October 2011

    Lisinopril is commonly given for a low EF outside of BC tx. Perhaps they can switch you to the lower weekly dose of Herceptin for a while instead? my baseline was 57%. I think the number is sometimes calculated in a more subjective way. And less meaningful than if you were/ are symptomatic when you climb steps etc.... Just my opinion. Good luck with you decision.

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  • sharont68
    sharont68 Member Posts: 124
    edited November 2011

    My EF dropped from 55% to 31% after I finished Adriamycin. I was put on Toprol Xl and Lisinopril afterwards. After two years, I had to be taken off the Lisinopril because it was started making my lips and face swell. I was only able to get the first dose of Herceptin because it sent me into heart failure. My EF is now back up to 50% and I am still on the Toprol xl. The good news though, is my cardiologist told me at my last appointment last week that if my echo comes back normal, he will start weaning me off the Toprol. I can't wait!!

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  • sharont68
    sharont68 Member Posts: 124
    edited November 2011

    My EF dropped from 55% to 31% after I finished Adriamycin. I was put on Toprol Xl and Lisinopril afterwards. After two years, I had to be taken off the Lisinopril because it was started making my lips and face swell. I was only able to get the first dose of Herceptin because it sent me into heart failure. My EF is now back up to 50% and I am still on the Toprol xl. The good news though, is my cardiologist told me at my last appointment last week that if my echo comes back normal, he will start weaning me off the Toprol. I can't wait!!

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  • DebbieB
    DebbieB Member Posts: 161
    edited November 2011

    My LEF dropped down to 18% after Adriamycin and I went into congestive heart failure when I was 50 years old.  They put me on all 5 categories of heart drugs which I will be on for the rest of my life.  The Coreg increased my LEF back up to 60% but it took about 2 years.  My blood pressure was always normal so when they put me on Lisinopril my bp would run 70/55 and I felt weak and light headed all the time.  The Coreg makes you feel like crap as well.  The Cardiologist told me to take my meds at night and sleep thru the side effects.  Been doing that for the past 3 years and it works great and I feel much better during the day.

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