At the age of 76 I'm currently struggling with these meds and so far have had 3 for 3 "rare" side effects. Lisinopril made my hair fall out by the handfuls (it returned somewhat but is now quite thin), Losartan made me have horrible choking fits with a tickle and cough that never stopped (until I stopped the drug) and the latest, Norvasc has given me dysosmia which is a very strong unpleasant smell that isn't really there. It's awful and feels like my head is stuck in a sewer but the smell isn't anything I've ever smelled before. The health providers keep dismissing me and initially don't believe my symptoms are caused by the drugs until I show them articles I've found and had a pharmacist back me up. With the choking in particular they sent me to ENT (who decided it was probably reflus, the latest catch-all) and then wanted me to do a barium swallow. I declined and found evidence on my own and 2 days after stopping the Losartan the symptoms stopped. I'm so frustrated. I'm tempted to stop trying and take my chances with diet and exercise though it's not likely to keep my bp low enough. I'm scared of new drugs and their side-effects and tired of dealing with the medical providers. Any ideas?