Doctors Ignore Lisinopril-Caused Cough

I too, have the cough occasionally, but my blood pressure is better controlled with lisinopril than most of the others. I had some very bad experiences with others, one for example, Lopressor; I wound up in the ER.
I hate the side effects of the BP drugs, but I am more afraid of having a stroke. I had a mild TIA and I am not willing to take the chance of not taking BP medications. I also take a Chinese herb called Balance 3, or another brand name: Seven Flowers. The Seven Flowers helps me sleep, and it is supposed to help lower BP.
Tessalon Perles, Benzonate (generic) taken at night can help stop the cough for a few hours. My dentist introduced me to it during a root canal.

I had the same problem with Lisinipril. I like it because it doesn't make me feel tired. I told my doctor I would like to carefully monitor my blood pressure with my own monitor while cutting my pills and taking just a half daily. That worked fine. In fact, for several years I could maintain good pressure with 5 mg every other day. That also eliminated the cough. I eventually had to go up to every day. Now I take 10 mg. but still don't have the cough back. I think 20 mg. is what they often start folks with. We aren't all the same. Maybe less would work, save money, avoid the cough. ~ C

I was on Lisinopril for about a year. I had a cough that would not go away. I asked my doctor about it and he switched me to Benicar. Since taking Benicar my cough has completely cleared up. I had a guy I worked with who was complaining about a nagging cough. Without knowing about his medical history I asked him if he was on Linisiopril and he stated he was. I gave him the info I found out and his cough cleared up.

I am having exactly the same experience. My doctor told me to gargle with warm salt water when I mentioned the coughing to her. Yesterday I had a stress test and therefore no medication of any kind. I spent the 6 hours at the hospital with no coughing and had only one short episode during the night--not enough to getup for water or a cough drop. I had no idea that there could be a connection between the lisinopril and the coughing.

Hi, I take Lisinopril and have that cough as well. The only thing that has helped and it really has helped is to suck on Hall's Defense with Vitamin C in the assorted citrus flavors. I am not sure why they work but they keep me cough free for the most part.

My husband (76) also had annoying cough that he couldn't get rid of. His doctor gave him a prescription for it that did not help; the cough persisted. It became so bad that he carried a bottle of water everywhere, as that was that was the only relief he could get. Even though he was sometimes confused, and acted odd at times, still his doctor was unconcerned.

This went on for 9 months, until the night I found him unresponsive and called 911! Rushed to the hospital in serious condition, he was evaluated, and many tests done, their thinking was that he'd had a stroke. Fortunately we had a bright young emergency room doctor that carefully read the results from his blood work & remembered the drugs my husband was on.

His sodium level was down to 117 and he noticed he was on LINISOP/HCTZ, and put 2 and 2 together. Side affects of this drug were both the cough and low sodium... Not only that, he had been washing out sodium with all the water he wad consuming.

My husband spent 3 days in ICU with 5 days total in the hospital, and it was at least 2 more weeks before his behavior improved enough that I could tell his sodium level was getting back to a normal level.

People take warning. Read down to the fine print for every drug you take. It could prove fatal not to!

I also was put on Lisinopril for High Blood Pressure. I started coughing. After purchasing many cough remedies & telling my doctor about the cough,
she ordered a xray which came back negative. I continued to take the
Lisinopril per her order but 3 months later I returned to her office stating that everyone in her waiting room would not sit near me because of my cough. Surprise!!! She stated that one of the side effects of Lisinopril was a cough and put me on another medication. My cough immediately disappeared!!!

I developed a cough after taking lisinopril for two years. The first two doctors I saw diagnosed me with a sinus infection followed by acid reflux. The third doctor switched my medication to diovan and within 24 hours the cough had disappeared. Apparently, they didn't think the cough and lisinopril were related since I had been taking it for so long!

My husband also developed the cough after being put on lisinopril. 6 months or so later when he was going in for surgery I discussed the coughing problem with his surgeons and that the cough started after her was put on lisinopril and I was sure it was the meds. The men looked at each other and said they too had developed a cough after going on it. They suggested that when he got back to his primary care doctor that he request he put him on Fosinopril. He did and with in 2 days the cough was down to his regular 'clear you throat' cough. His blood pressure is still good with the new meds.

I had a strangulating persistent cough and found out it was the lisinopril I was on. My doctor deduced that it was the lisinopril and took me off of it and placed me on something different. The cough almost instantaneously went away.
I am a nurse, and I can almost always tell by listening if a patient has a "lisinopril cough" and try to alert the doctor before he runs up a lot of expensive tests.

I am 56 years old, and have really been disgusted with the side effects of the medications the doctors have put me on to control high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I suffered from intractable nausea three years ago, and finally after months of unsuccessful treatment, CAT Scans, other medications that made me sleepy, eating radioactive eggs, and having a tube stuck down my throat I discovered it was my simvastatin.

Stopped that and the nausea essentially went away. I had been taking Lisinopril for about three months (10 mg) and my throat felt like it was constricting, and I was always on the verge of coughing. After my experience with simvastatin I realized that my "sore throat" was the result of the Lisinopril. Haven't gone back to my doctor yet, but will soon. My insurance insists that I "fail" on Lisonopril before they will approve a more expensive alternative. I guess I "failed."

My husband has had a persistent cough for a couple of years. His doctor tells him that it is a side effect of the lisinopril.

I have the same cough and have been taking this for one month. It started within the first week. The Dr did tell me I had my choice between this one, that causes the cough, or another med that makes you tired. I chose the cough because I already lose sleep with an infant at home...but I won't take it anymore because I am to the point of gagging and not being able to breathe. I am also required to be on the phone a lot at work and cannot talk to clients with this side effect. My eyes water...I almost vomit...can't breathe...and then sometimes start sneezing immediately afterward. Everyone at work thinks I am sick, and I am not! I just called my Dr to switch to the other med that makes you tired. I'd rather be tired than not able to breathe!

I started on 5 mg of Lisinopril about 10 days ago. 5-10 times a day I am overcome by a tickling throat and a coughing fit often leading to some kind of gagging reflex. What are the other drug choices for High BP? Does anyone have any recommendations?

I, too, developed a chronic cough and after seeing some commercial on tv about a different med that said the side effects were coughing, I decided to look up lisonprils side effect and sure enough, the constant irritating, ticklish feeling in the throat, almost vomiting feeling with this cough has to be related to lisonpril. I was on Diovan and never had a problem. I am going to talk to my doctor about putting me back on Diovan.

I started taking the Lisinopril 5mg. about 2-3 weeks ago and have done nothing but cough day and night. It is awful. Guess I may have to change too.

My HMO decided that they would no longer pay for Diovan, so my doctor put me on Lisinopril. Shortly after I developed a persistent cough. A tickle in the throat caused by post-nasal drip. I started using every over the counter cold remedy I could find. In 3 months I went through a dozen bottles of cough syrup as well as numerous pills & tablets.

These were no help, so my doctor gave me antibiotics. Still no help. My routine check-up discovered an enlarged prostate. After being sent to the urologist for a scope up the urinary tract, with no polyps or problems found; the urologist said that I needed to begin taking 2 additional prescriptions for the rest of my life, but not to worry because 50% of men have enlarged prostates. He gave me a stack of literature to read and scheduled an appointment to decide on treatment. I found out about the link between Lisinopril & coughing and went back on Diovan.

No more coughing AND no more cold medicines. In reading the urologists literature I found a section discussing prostrate enlargement brought on by COLD MEDICINES. Since going back on Diovan, I no longer have the cough and subsequently no longer have an enlarged prostrate.
Thank you BIG PHARM.

Wow. I've taken Lisinopril for sixteen months. My cough started a year ago; we called it "allergies" for a few months; then "winter dryness". It persisted and worsened this summer to the point I was vomiting, seeing stars, almost blacking out I was coughing so hard. Curiously, I've also had crazy hair loss - another side effect. I've been on Diovan for two days, and tonight finally think I notice the cough being not as bad as it's been. I hope and pray this is the end of it; they say it can take up to two weeks to go away. WHAT a nightmare it's been; the amount of sleep I've lost, rolling over and coughing and choking, waking my husband. Thankful my doctor finally figured it out, though I'm a little frustrated it took this long...

I've been on Lisinopril for a few months, and also have the persistent cough. The doc put me on Nasonex first, and it seemed to help, but not cure the cough. Then I noticed that the cough seemed to be triggered by consumption of milk or ice cream. One Hall's cough drop to clear whatever gunk milk leaves behind, and I'm usually good to go.

One person told me that the cough is triggered by edema in the throat caused by the drug. The severity of the cough is related to the degree of edema. It feels a lot like post-nasal drip.

About a month ago, I started having episodes of a sudden onset "tickle" in my throat that gets so bad after a minute that I start a coughing fit. This makes my eyes water and my nose run. This has become a 5-10 time per day occurrence.

I went to the Doctor today convinced that I had a sinus infection or an allergy.

Right away the Doctor noticed that I started taking Lisinopril a month ago. He immediately took me off of it and prescribed something else.

I am sure that this will cure my cough in a few days. I'm so happy. I bet a lot of people have this problem, and it is overlooked.

I had been suffering from a persistent cough for months; then went on holiday with my family and it seemed at its worse. I had episodes of a tickly throat and had to carry throat sweets and a drink everywhere but at no time linked it to the medication i was taking.

My family were all saying i should go to the doctor about the cough which i did when i got back from holiday. When i told him my symptoms and he saw i was taking lisinopril he said straight away he thought that was the cause and changed my tablet. Its only been a couple of days but it seems much better already.

Now i have looked it up on the internet and seen how many people have had the same problem i wonder why doctors are still perscribing this and feel annoyed that i have been suffering with this for so long and getting so tired because of it.

I've just started taking lisinopril and have noticed my blood sugar count has gone up. Would this be a side effect?

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: YES.

I have high b/p and currently take lisinopril... when I get a cold or sinus infection not only am I clueless as what to take w/the high b/p n' all... I'm scared to take anything because of the b/p... the Coricidin hbp... does absolutely nothing for me. Is it ok to take something like tessalon perle for the nagging cough that accompanies a cold ??

I too have the nagging cough, I think w/ so many that this should be banned and investigated...
Like the rest I too am afraid to discontinue taking it now that I'm on it but not getting the sleep and nauseated after taking it...

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: PLEASE TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THIS. THERE ARE MANY OTHER MEDICINES TO CONTROL BLOOD PRESSURE.

I have been taking Lisinopril for a little over 2 years now, and never had a problem until recently. About 6 weeks ago, this horrible cough started.

At first, I tried some of the over the counter cough and cold remedies, but to no avail. Then, it was time to go to the doctor, at which time I was told that I had a very severe bronchitis, and was put on antibiotics and inhalers, neither of which worked for me. After about 9 days, I still felt very little relief, and returned to my doctor again. Again, he said it was the bronchitis, and gave me more antibiotics, and 2 different inhalers.

I still did not get much relief, but struggled on to get through my days, and my sleepless nights as well. I couldn't sleep due to the cough, and have literally no bladder control at this point when these coughing fits come.

It has gotten to the point now that I am sometimes afraid to eat, because I know if I get to coughing soon after that, I will vomit up what I have eaten. Last week, I had to call the doctor yet again, and this time he advised me to go to the emergency room, because he thought they could do more for me there than what he could in his office. They checked me out there, and did chest x rays and all that stuff, and said there was nothing to be seen, so they considered it bronchitis, and prescribed me a z pack, and a steroid pack, and said that those should be able to kick this for good.

Here I am a week later, and still no change. This is very difficult for me, because I work with the public, and people don't want someone waiting on them who is coughing the way that I am, and have been for weeks now.

I was awakened again at 4am, due to this cough, and was just sitting here thinking. It dawned on me that a few months ago, when I got my Lisinopril refilled, there was a different pharmacist on duty that I had never seen before, and when he gave me the prescription, he asked if I had any questions. I told him no, since I had been taking this medication for over 2 years at that point in time. He spoke up though, and told me if I ever got a condition with a chronic cough that just would not quit, that I should consider that the Lisinopril might be the reason. I don't know why I didn't remember that sooner! So, I decided to go online and look up Lisinopril and cough, and here I am.

Of course, it's Saturday morning now, and I won't be able to get in touch with my doctor until Monday morning, but I will be standing there on Monday morning when they open the doors, and see if we can possibly get this resolved.

I just want to say thank you to all who have posted on this site. It has helped me to see that there may in fact be an end to this horrible cough, and maybe I can get my life back once I can get off of this medicine. I am assuming it might take a while to get back to normal, since I have had it for such a long time, but at least knowing there is an end in sight will be a blessing!

It's just sad that it's taken me 6 weeks now, and more than $500, between doctor visits and prescriptions, to finally figure this out. I hope reading all of this might help someone else figure it out, before it happens to them!

Prescribed Lisopril (10mg) and Simvastatin (40mg) to control BP and Cholesterol back in July 2009. Since starting to take medication, developed a particularly nasty cough, which I have been unable to shake off. Recently I went on holiday to New Zealand for a month and forgot to take my medication with me!! Within a week of my vacation the cough had virtually disappeared and had completely gone before returning home. Once home, resumed my medication and guess what - the cough is back with a vengeance. Time to see my GP one thinks!!

I just came across this site because I've switched from Lisinopril to Diovan and was looking for info on Diovan. I was on Lisonopril for over three years. Developed postnasal drip, coughing, nose bleeds and burning mouth syndrome about eight months ago. Both my general practitioner and an ear-nose-throat doctor kept prescribing different meds to treat the postnasal drip but neither connected it with Lisinopril.

I recently had my annual checkup with my cardiologist who originally prescribed the Lisinopril after my heart attack three years ago. He asked me if I had a cold and when I told him it was postnasal drip he immediately said that it could be caused by Lisinopril. I reminded him that I had been taking Lisinopril for three years and he said that some people get postnasal drip immediately after beginning to take the drug and others may take it for years before having a problem with it. He told me to stop the Lisinopril for two weeks and monitor my BP each day and then begin taking Diovan.

Finally, after eight months of misery all of my symptoms have cleared up. If only one of the other doctors had made the connection perhaps I could have stopped the misery long ago. In my opinion, Lisinopril is a bad drug.

I went to Peru in June and came back with chronic altitude sickness after I went up over 16000'. I had a temple headache that just would not quit. My blood pressure was higher than my norm, but not classified as "high blood pressure". However, my doc gave me 5mg Lisinopril to keep my pressure down till my headache went away since they suspected inflammatory vascular issues were the cause.

About 2-3 weeks later, I started the dry cough. It's horrible. I can't make it an hour without hacking. I have seen a neurologist twice, my internist three times and an ENT who all said no reason for the cough - no post nasal drip. I can't have allergy symptoms because I take way too many immuno suppressants due to a hyper-active immune system.

I was even in the hospital for intestinal issues (something from the Amazon jungle maybe?) and they gave me a chest xray cause I coughed all night. Finally yesterday I am at a meeting and I said I don't know why I cough, some one asked if I take High Blood Pressure meds?

I googled it and found this site. Ha Ha - finally. Well it's been six months and the headache is very mild now. My blood pressure actually is low 90/60 on average(they had to get me to stand up in the hospital one night cause it went down to 62/48). I am calling the doc tomorrow and getting off this stuff!!!

Hi my name is Diana and I am in complete shock by all I have read on today. I developed this chronic cough also after taking Lisinop/HCTZ. It started off with a tickling on the right side of my throat as if it was sticking together. So I would use a peppermint or drink something to try and stop it, but not even that worked. Last night I started coughing and I cough so bad until a sharp pain like stabbing feeling came in my back.

My throat seemed to shut off like everything was pushing upward towards my head and everything became so tight until my speech even changed. The pain in my back was so devastating until I was shaking. I thought I was having a stroke. I thought I was dying. All of this came from my body being under so much constant strain from having this persistant chronic cough. It made my back spasm until it felt like I was paralyzed.

The ER ran all kinds of test and found nothing. My husband took them all my meds and yet no one put 1 and 2 together. Wow! Can't believe no one figured this out. Today I did a follow up with my Doctor and the moment I mentioned I had this persistant cough he said lets change your HP med. I was like huh?

He explained that the cough was coming from the HP med and so like you all I scared the crap out of my entire family and myself thinking I was dying and all because my Dr. prescribed me a med that is commonly known to cause chronic coughing. It put my body in such distress. I think they need to take this med off the market!! Thank you all for posting your comments. It's always good to know that you are not alone out here. God Bless you!

Two years ago I got a cough from Lisinopril. Switched to enanapril for 3 days. It took 3 months to get rid of the gagging cough.

Recently I was prescribed Lisinopril at the hospital. I said that it gave me a cough, but was told I had to take it. After 1 week I got hives; then angio-edema; throat, tongue, lips. Stopped taking it on day 12. Prednisone helped with the cough but after a month, I still have incessant massive hives and angio-edema. The cough was the precursor. They say for the 1% with this side effect it can last for weeks or months. Cute.

Hi JKF! I am a 26 year old male who has just started Lisinopril 20mg a little over a month ago and I have begun the clearing throat during the day/dry cough at night that everyone has been talking about on this site. Another person mentioned having their medicine changed to Benicar and it helping stop the cough immediately. Were you prescribed the same medication or were you given another kind?

Hi T.P. I am a 26 year old male who has just started Lisinopril 20mg a little over a month ago and I've just begun the "clear your throat" during the day/"dry cough" in the middle of the night symptoms. I saw that you and a few other people were switched to a different medication to help stop the symptoms. Were you prescribed Benicar, Diovan, or Fosinopril?

Hi John J! I am a 26 year old male who has been on Lisinopril 20mg for a little over a month and the clearing throat/dry cough symptoms have just started? Were you prescribed Benicar, Diovan, or Fosinopril?

I am 74 years old and have been on Lisinopril for about 5yrs. I awake several times a night with a dry cough. I have told this to my Doctor who precribed a high priced bioctic which did not stop the cough. I am very tired all the time as I suffer from lack of sleep. I am now and in the past can relate to all of the above replys and know how they feel.
SHJ

I'm 60 yrs old. I started lisinopril dec 12 for HBP started coughing next day. Changed to benicar on 14th. Have been caughing non stop as of today the 28th. I cough so hard I have thrown up and my left side feels like I have cracked ribs. Went to doc today he said lisinopril may have started this but should not last this long. My lungs are clear so he gave me benzonatate for cough and recommended over the counter meds for alergies.

I told him I have researched this and 35% of people get this cough and takes 3 weeks or longer to go away he said this is not his experience. I'm very angry I was given this medication and the attitude of these know it all young doctors. I have not slept more than 4 hours a night and had to leave my office job today due to coughing and gaging. I will let you know if this benzonatate works.

Here it is 5 am after another sleepless night due to coughing! Called my MD yesterday to tell him to get me back on Diovan. Just want to warn others not to stop taking their BP med on their own - see your MD!

I hear ya!! I was on Benicar and Cardizem for 6 years for hypertension. My employer switched to Blue Shield, and they wouldn't cover the Benicar. So Lisinopril was substituted. I hacked and coughed through all of November. And most of December. Then, BINGO! I read the literature I'd gotten with the RX. The cough was casually mentioned.

It was another battle with the doctor (trying to contact during Xmas week) and still fighting w/ Blue Shield. In the meantime the doc gave me a month's worth of Benicar samples.

I wish this hacking, making-me-pee-in-my-pants cough on all of them!! *cough*

I'm sure I've developed a cavity or two from constantly sucking on cough drops. I hate their taste.
*cough*
:)

I am not on Lisinop but I do take Diovan and Toporol (the generic of each) for HBP. I have a choking, gagging cough which is becoming more frequent. I also have a sinus which is very loose and runny. The coughing has just recently increased in frequency since I started taking an antibiotic (Amoxicillin) for a chest cold/ infection.

The coughing starts when I feel a tickle in my throat which feels like a hair is there. It progresses to gagging and the feeling that I will throw up but nothing comes out and then the episode stops. I have not reached my Dr. yet for an appointment but until I found this page I thought I was dying .

I had been on lisinopril for six months and had that awful dry, fake-sounding cough and asked my doctor what was wrong. He said it was the lisinopril... that he hears it all the time. He switched me to Benicar samples and it improved. I'm back to using up my lisinopril but ready to switch to another HBP medication.

I was put on lisinprol about 4 months ago. During that time I too have developed this horrendous chronic dry cough. I have tried cough meds, throat lozenges, water, you name it but nothing has worked. I feel like I am always struggling for breath and the coughing fits hit at any time. I cough so hard I can't breath or talk and it often leaves me gagging. I even start coughing if I laugh to hard. I started thinking that I was having allergy attacks or maybe had developed asthma. After reading this site and others, I am fairly certain that cough has been caused by this blood pressure med. I have been so miserable and I'm planning in calling my Dr. first thing Monday morning! Enough is enough!!

OMG! As I read each of your stories it was like my life before my eyes. I have been on Lisinopril for almost 5 years. 5mg once a day. I have had this cough now I think since I started on it but because I have asthma and bronchitis, and chronic cough, no one thought this medicine could be to blame for the ongoing problems.

Now for the last 2 months I have been on 4 antibiotics, inhalers (the usual stuff) and yesterday a chest x-ray. My cough has gotten really bad and the doctor told me yesterday to stop the medicine that he thought it was now causing all this. I hope to feel better soon. I have been sick bad for these last two weeks. I think my body was saying no more and really reacting to this medicine.

Thank you everyone for posting your problems with this medicine.
It has been a great help to know I am not alone and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

After being put on Lisinopril, I coughed so much I had terrible headaches and neck pain and was actually throwing up. All these complaints have proven to me I need to ask my PCP to change my Lisinopril. Thank you!!!

Another question... doesn't all this coughing put a strain on your heart? I already have a heart murmur. Will this coughing affect it? Make it worse?

United Health suggested Lisinopril because Hyzaar was too expensive. After 1 month I got the cough from Hell! I've had allergies so doctor and I thought nothing of the cough. 2 months later can't recline to sleep, gagging, extreme edema, drowning in bottled water, etc. Thought I had throat cancer. After three trips to doctor, antibiotics, cough syrup, bags of Halls... nothing helps. Thinking I had TB or something I got chest x-ray and ready to call ENT doctor. Nurse suggested symptoms might be caused by Lisinopril. Of all the crap! And the political jackasses say we don't need Health Care Reform. I changed to Benicar... getting over cough slowly.

This is astounding. I am sitting here and wishing I had followed you folks on to the Internet. I occasionally read your column in newspapers. I interviewed Joe Graedon and -- is it Theresa -- forgive my recall -- on WEEI or WMEX Radio in Boston, Massachusetts when one of your books came out in the 1970s, I believe.

I'm 70 years old now. My BP was called "white coat syndrome" for years. I was overweight, hidden under plus size clothes, and very sedentary. Doctors found a mitral valve heart problem in 2009. Cardiologist put me on 5 mg. of lisinopril. It was added to the "cocktail" of HBP drugs Atenolol and HCTZ that I had taken with no known side effects, except lowered potassium from the diuretic. I started swimming 4x a week and got on a reasonable eating program. I've lost 25 lbs. with 25 more to go.

Well, my BP numbers got better, but there was still that tickle in my throat. I did know it might be a side effect, but met many others who did not know. I just told a man in the clinic laboratory who had a hacking cough. He was being treated for lymphoma. I casually asked if he took LISINOPRIL. He said yes. Gave him a Cold-Eeze cough drop and suggested he talk with his doctor. He thanked me profusely!

We're going on a trip. I have a few tabs of LISINOPRIL left and doc suggested I start taking Cozaar when I get back. But I'm thrifty. I took my 5 mg. of LIE-SIN-O-PRIL this morning.

I'm sitting here coughing and drinking tart cherry juice. Thanks to everyone. All drugs have side effects, and so do natural remedies. Learn all you can and make an informed decision.

EK
Portland, Oregon

I was put on Lisinopril 21/2 years ago and of course developed a cough. I wasn't warned by the doctor and it never occurred to me that it was the drug. My husband eventually insisted I went back to the doc. who told me it was the medication & changed it.

The point of writing this is that I have still got the cough & feel that I will never get rid of it. I am 70 yrs. old but otherwise very fit and I have never had a chest infection. none of your correspondents seem to report any successful treatment.

I just started Lisinopril 5 mg lup on 3/18 on the evening of 3/22 I started coughing, by 3/23 my cough is horrible, now I have a sore throat and a runny nose. To top it off, I have COPD! Not good, why did my doc give me this drug knowing the common side effect? Is she trying to put me in the hospital?

I am calling her today 3/24 and don't care what she says, I am taking myself off of it and want something else. Or I will find another doc. Thank you to this forum for opening my eyes. Jeez, now I'm sneezing! What a mess!

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: SORE THROAT, RUNNY NOSE, SNEEZING SOUNDS MORE LIKE AN INFECTION (A COLD, FOR EXAMPLE) THAN THE TYPICAL ACE INHIBITOR COUGH.

I am sooo glad I found this site. I thought I was crazy. I started coughing and sometimes it's so bad people stare at me and think I have a disease about a week after taking Lisinopril. I am calling the doctor on Monday and getting off of this. I haven't slept thru the night in about 3 months.

I was put on Lisinopril 5 mg for mild HBP and LVH (left ventricle hypertrophy). I see that there are other meds for HBP but are there any that will help with the LVH. The cough is unbearable but I also want to try to lessen the damage to my heart walls. My Dr said the Lisinopril is the best chance for improvement.

My Dr. took me off Triam/Hctz 37.5/25 because he said my potassium was low and my liver enzymes were slightly elevated. I had been taking it for 2 years with no problems, otherwise. He prescribed lisinopril which I started 8 days ago. The cough I have is horrible. In addition I have a post nasal drip of clear, slimy saliva that comes after a tickle on the left side of my throat.

The saliva fills up my entire mouth. I have hay fever and recently got over a sinus infection. I can't believe my Dr. would give me something that makes me feel so bad. I called and left a message for him today to change my meds. I will not take lisinopril in the morning. I went and asked my pharmacist how long it will take for this horrible medication to wear off in my system. She said because I've only been on it for just over a week, it will only take 2 days for it to completely out of my system.

Has anyone else come off? How long did it take for you to feel better? My best friend, who is a physician, said it took only 2 days for her to feel better. She had been on lisinopril for about 3 years when her cough started. My mother takes lisinopril and loves it. It took her about 7 months to get through the coughing before it stopped. My mom is a saint... I am not... I want off!! Thanks everyone... reading the posts here have given me so much support. I know I am not alone. :)

I switched to Lisinopril after reading the difference between Alpha and Beta blockers. Read an article in "Diabetes Management" magazine about one or the other causing the body to some how block or not use the natural insulin produced. Wish I had saved the article. I also have a slight cough but not a problem so far. I'm on a 40 MG dose.
As soon as Hyzaar becomes generic I'm switching .

My doctor prescribed Lisinopril about 3 weeks ago - It was cheaper than the Avalide I was taking so I was very pleased - then the coughing started. I thought maybe it was allergies but after reading what you all have had to say I'm going back on Avalide. My throat tickles, I start coughing and also have to sneeze right in the middle of a cough, my nose runs and eyes water to the point that I look like I'm crying. Thanks to all for the information. I feel this is very important to anyone taking Lisinopril.

My father is 89 yrs old. He too was on Lisinopril for several yrs. He developed a cough, but we ignored it because he has always been plagued with post nasal drip and allergies. Starting last summer, the cough became uncontrollable. The family physician had to finally be told (by me), that Lisinopril might be the problem. My father also sees an oncologist for low blood platelets.

He suggested that my father stop taking the Lisinopril. The family doctor agreed and did not replace it with any other blood pressure meds. My father stopped taking the Lisinopril in December. The coughing still persists and seems as though it is getting harder for him to deal with. It is unbearable to listen to him suffer. We have tried so many remedies, but nothing makes this cough go away. I have a notion to take action. Should my father take another blood pressure medication to make the coughing STOP?

We need help! Please?

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: A LISINOPRIL-INDUCED COUGH SHOULD NO LONGER BE HANGING ON AFTER THREE OR FOUR MONTHS. YOUR FATHER'S DOCTORS WILL NEED TO DO SOME MORE SLEUTHING TO FIND THE CAUSE.

I am 58 years old and was put on Lisinopril in January. I have the same cough and my Dr. wants me have tests for acid reflux another Dr. thinks I am allergic to a feather pillow. The cough is worse when I lie down to sleep and most nights I have to sit up all night just to get a little rest. I will be calling my primary care Dr. and letting her know that I need to get off of this drug as I think the slightly high BP is better than not being able to sleep.

I just discovered this site and it is a lifesaver. I thought I was dying. I recently started taking Lisonopril for HBP and this horrible cough started. It starts with a tickle in my throat and lasts for about 5 minutes. I sneeze, use tissues, cough up phlegm and I've gone through bags of cough drops, allergy medicines and nothing helped. Thank God I found this site and I am not alone. I will not be taking Lisonopril anymore and I am going to lose weight, go on the Rice Diet and take a natural blood pressure remedy.

I have had a cough for months and my doctor had no idea it was lisinopril and I recently was in the hospital with pancreatitis.

After reading your column in the Portland Oregonian, I realized that Lisinopril may be causing an irritating cough. But more importantly, I feel it's crucial that readers understand SOME IF NOT MOST MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ARE NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE DRUGS THEY PRESCRIBE. In fact, in my case, at times our local clinic has been completely clueless; Doctors and nurses are too busy, and apparently no one else does research, which, unfortunately, may be true of other medical offices.

Mine was misdiagnosed for 3 years. One week after discontinuing the drug my coughing stopped.

Ditto. Took 5 mg for about a month. Developed a cough, not severe, but annoying. Would keep me awake.

I d/c'd the Lisinopril for two days, BP rose, so started 1/2 a tablet, which means breaking the tablets. Tonight, after being cough free for a few days, I cut another tablet. A few small crumbs and dust were on the counter and I swallowed it. Immediately, I started to cough.

My question: Is it possible the cough could be localized irritation in the throat? There is no way the drug would have given me a systemic reaction, so the cough would have to have come from swallowing the crumbs.

I've tried several BP medications including lisiniopril, amiloride and benazapril. They all seem to cause a dry hacking cough. Are there any BP meds that don't cause the cough but might be on most pharmacies' $4 medication list?

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for this site. I have been on 10mg of lisinopril for 2 months. This horrible cough started and needless to say have had many sleepless nights because when the tickle starts it don't stop. I have gone through bags of halls, peed in my pants several times a day from coughing and have actually avoided even going to the dentist for fear that the tickle would start and he wouldn't be able to finish.

I am so glad I found this site as I was beginning to think something is dreadfully wrong with me. I had asked my pharmacist about the side effects when I started on this and he said he was on it and to watch for dry hacking cough-that isn't even the word for it!!! Anyway I have had so many sleepless nights and I goggled this medication and tickle in throat and BINGO. I am calling my Dr. tomorrow and getting off of this. I need my life back. If anybody is having these horrid side effects call your Dr.

o.k. I have stopped taking Lisinopril for about a month now. I only took it for a short time and I still have the cough.

It is not as bad as at first, but does anybody know how long it takes to completely go away? HELP!

I am so glad that I found this website. I have had a chronic cough for the last past months. I was unsure what was causing this irritation. I blamed it on allergies and the pollen since spring was approaching.

I went to the doctor I was diagnosed with strep throat. I was given a z-pack and other antibiotics. Two weeks later I went back to the doctor and was given a another round of antibiotics. That did not help at all.

I was hopeless, I called and scheduled an appointment with the Ear Nose and Throat Clinic. I was seen by them and needless to say wasted money they could not find anything wrong with me.

So I searched on the internet and read an article regarding molds that causes coughing etc, only to find out after inspection I did not have mold in my home.

Today I was very desperate and refused to take antibiotics for an answer. I went back to my PCP and told her that I was coughing and it was annoying. I told her the pills did not work. She then told me "You are going to be mad at us, your blood pressure pills that were recently prescribed to you have been causing your coughs."

This has had me feeling like I was literally dying. I am upset that it was not caught and I had to go through months of this uncomfortable situation but I am blessed it was caught in time. If you are taking the BP pill lisinopril and notice a nagging chronic cough please seek medical attention.

I started Lisinopril 10 mg. In Jan. 2010, due to the fact that I had mono in December I attributed the chronic cough to that and began to worry that I had something else going on like COPD or a long term illness. I have been coughing non stop since Jan. and looked up chronic dry cough and low and behold there was Lisinopril. Needless to say I stopped taking it and put myself back on baby aspirin until my doc. decides what she wants to give me.

I started taking Lisinopril a few months ago, along with HCTZ and Metoprolol due to extremely high blood pressure. At the time I was a heavy smoker, and had a rather nasty cough which I'm sure smoking contributed to. Well I quit smoking (62 days without a cigarette today, yaaaaaaay!), but the cough has not gone away. A coworker told me that she read about Lisinopril and coughing, and sure enough, all my symptoms are the same as her's. Itchy throat, strong cough to the point of gagging, etc...

Granted, my cough is bad at times, and I surely wish it would go away, but I hesitate to ask the Doc to put me on something different because right now my blood pressure numbers are SOOOOOOO good. I don't doubt it's the Lisinopril causing the cough, but between that and the HCTZ and Metoprolol, my bp is excellent.

I was given a prescription for lisinopril about a month ago. the doctor did mention the cough possibility but said since my father has been taking it for years, I might not have a problem. I'd say a week went by b4 I realized there was a problem. May 10th, I was in a class and experienced a seriously choking cough. Someone gave me a Ricola which helped, and that night I mentioned it to my husband.

I noticed a bit of a hacking gagging cough in the next few days, but now I can't sleep. I cough. I didn't have any kinds of lozenges night b4 last, but picked some up last night. I still slept(sort of) on the couch, with my head tilted up to get some kind of sleep.

I am hoarse and exhausted. Combined w/the fact that 3 days ago my breathing was so labored I figured I was getting pneumonia or something, I am getting off this drug. I had been easily doing 3 miles plus on the treadmill at the gym, gradually working up, and now I can barely do a mile and a half. I feel like crap maybe w/better BP.

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: PLEASE ASK THE DOCTOR FOR A DIFFERENT TYPE OF DRUG. JUST STOPPING IT ON YOUR OWN IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

Calling Dr. tomorrow enough of this coughing, sneezing, sinus dripping, cough drops, Kleenex and sleepless nights. I thought I had allergies ha! My B/P did good on Lisinopril , but will have Dr. give me something else and hopefully it doesn't cost an arm or leg. Can finally get rid of that empty Folgers coffee can in my car that served several purposes. Thanks for this site.

I'm sitting here reading this after another night of sleep lost to frequent coughing bouts. I get bronchitis about twice a year - no reason why, it just happens. Problem is, I would go to the doc, get antibiotics and because my blood pressure would skyrocket due to the stress of being sick, I'd be put on a month on Lisinopril. And cough for the next 3 months. My friends thought I had TB! So did I after awhile. I've had lung x-rays, throat cultures, and docs put me on antibiotics like its candy every 4-5 months!

This last episode - which stated last Dec - has stressed me out to the max and I am so glad to finally know what it is. Coughed from Dec to March - got some Tessalon from an ENT which really helped and went off my Lisinopril. And just as I was getting used to NOT coughing, I started the Lisinopril again and the COUGHING CAME BACK!

Not sleeping almost drove me insane - I put on a lot of weight, work was affected and I'm just mentally exhausted dealing with this. Tired of people looking at me when I start hacking and tearing up, tired of worrying about my iffy bladder control & ticked off at doctors who don't think this coughing jag is SERIOUS!!

Anyway, thanks for the info. And I know you don't recommend stopping the Lisinopril but I did - can't get to my doc for a couple of days but I've got to get this process started (it takes a while to flush it out). Just a long sad, expensive journey.

Well I stopped taking it Saturday night. Actually slept. Woke up feeling well, went to park w/ hubby, then felt dizzy. Was supposed to work, but called in sick, went home and went to bed. Had bed spins all day. Didn't really feel good, but slept alright - some coughing but lozenges helped. I informed doctor Monday and nurse practitioner has called in a prescription for Benicar. I went to gym today and did over 4 miles on treadmill, had done 3.5 yesterday. Don't think I will pick up the medicine - I will look for natural/herbal/less stressful on my body solutions. Feeling like crap is not worth it, and I truly felt very old and definitely very infirm.

Is there any correlation between when lisinopril is taken (ie, am or before bed) and the cough? Have been taking 10 mg lisinopril for a year at bedtime, naggy cough started about a month ago. Would changing to taking in morning help?

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: WE HAVE NOT HEARD THAT CHANGING THE TIMING OF LISINOPRIL HELPS PREVENT THE COUGH.

I was taking lisinopril in the morning and had the same cough. Changing the time you take it will not help. At least it didn't help me.
(sorry)
cr

After cutting back to 2.5 mg, my coughing subsided. Recently I caught a cold and the coughing from the cold has been close to unbearable. I wonder if the Lisinopril exacerbates cough due to colds. I certainly don't want to go through any more sleepless nights coughing. It may be time to find another med altogether.

So after watching FOX cable news Sunday's doctor and his mention of ACE inhibitors causing coughs, I did a search and found this website plus many others. My husband, who is 76 has taken lisinopril for years and has had constant coughing and rashes. His doctor/doctors have NEVER suggested that these symptoms could be caused by his blood pressure meds.

I had problems with statin drugs causing muscle breakdown and kidney problem and my doctor was just as ignorant and stubborn . What's that all about? I finally found a doctor who would do some testing and just in time before my muscles and kidney's were permanently damaged. So now I need to get my husband in for a new medication.

Damn wish I read this year or so ago, Have been on 10 then moved to 25 per day for 6 years and gave up outdoor everything as just to wore out to do anything from coughing. Unbelievable, accidentally picked up paper at store and saw a thank you to writer for previous article on cough, Having a Dr at clinic that just takes bp an then rxs doesn't help either.. Thanks for stories and article.

I started taking Lisinopril 20 mg about 6 months ago. When I first started taking this drug my heart seemed to be racing. My doctor said I would get used to this. (I had been on beta blockers for years until they stopped working for me.) I did get used to the faster heart rhythm after a few weeks. Three weeks ago I started coughing. I had raked leaves and thought maybe I was having an allergic reaction to the pollens and leaves.

After a week of persistent coughing I called my doctor. His office said they were swamped and couldn't see me and suggested I go to a walk in clinic which I did. The doctor in the walk in clinic diagnosed me with bronchitis and prescribed levaquin (a super strong antibiotic), 2 anti coughing medications, and an albuterol asthma inhaler. I used all these medications (cost $220) for a week and I was still coughing as bad as ever.

I finally got in to see my doctor today and he said it sounds like I have a lisinopril cough and that as many of 40% of the people who take this drug develop a cough. Now ask yourself why in the world would doctors EVER prescribe this drug to the innocent public??!! I asked my doctor this and he said the drug companies won't pay for the more expensive ARB drugs. (which don't cause as much coughing.)

Doctors ought to tell every patient they prescribe lisinopril, about the cough side effect of the drug. They are not doing their job if they don't which can cause people a lot of misery and money.

J. R.

I started taking lisinopril last November and starting coughing shortly thereafter. I have been dealing with this stupid cough for 8 months now and am so sick of it. I am teacher and it's made my work hell. My students ask if me if I'm crying when I start a coughing jag.

I went off it 3 days ago. I've been working out and BP was fine today. I'm calling my doctor next week to go in to follow up. What I really would like to know is when will the coughing go away? After 3 days, I'm still coughing a lot. I am so, so, so sick of it. I am keeping Hall's cough drops in business!

I'm following up to the post I wrote on June 22. After I saw my regular doctor (actually I saw his PA) who said I had a lisinopril cough I got off all the other meds I was on. That included the antibiotic, levaquin, which the walk in clinic doctor had prescribed for me when he thought I had bronchitis. Three days later my cough had changed drastically and I felt like my insides were going to come out each time I coughed.

My husband said my cough didn't sound right. By Sunday (5 days later) I woke up with chills and fever. I went back to the walk in clinic where an x-ray was taken of my chest and sinuses. The doctor confirmed that I had "walking pneumonia" and a bad sinus infection. He immediately gave me 2 shots in my rear (one shot of an antibiotic and the other a steroid) and a prescription for antibiotics and steroids. Hopefully, I am now on the way to recovery. I am writing this to make sure you ACTUALLY have a lisinopril cough and not something more serious like I did.

I think it will take a while for the cough to go away. I took it for a month, actually 23 days and I stopped taking it and realized that I still coughed for a while. I had my last sort of coughing fit about a month after I stopped taking it. The last coughing jag is about a week ago now, so knock wood, it has hopefully, finally stopped.

Thanks so much for your reply! It's been about a week since I stopped taking it, and I am still coughing. I will see my doctor next week. Your post gives me hope that the cough will (eventually) go away.

I starting taking lisinopril last November and starting coughing and gagging shortly thereafter as well. Went to an ENT last week and he started treating me for reflux since he saw some inflamation around my vocal chords.

I am so glad I found this sight...now I know what's causing it. However, I also started having this constant "tickle" in my throat that seems to be somewhere around my tonsil, and feels kind of like I have a piece of food stuck. I can't see anything or find anything using my fingers so that's one of the reasons I went to the ENT. It doesn't cause pain, or trigger my cough but it's a constant annoyance.

HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS CONDITION AFTER TAKING LISINOPRIL?

I wonder how many other people are out there with the same problem who's doctors just made the switch but didn't report the trouble they had to the FDA?? While we may not die from this coughing (that would seem to be the only way to get the FDA's attention), our lives are miserable and depressing while trying to get rid of this cough after going off the drug.

My whole life has changed from this non-stop coughing and I too, want to ring my doctor's neck for prescribing something that could have this much negative-effects on a patient's life.

I have been taking Lisinopril for 3 years, and off and on have had a cough at night, but in the last two weeks it has become chronic. I cough at times during the day, but at night I can't get any sleep. The minute I lay down the tickle starts in my throat and the coughing begins, and continues through the night. What I would give for a good nights rest. My throat is red and irritated, and sometimes actually hurts. Have had my doctor take me off Lisinopril and put me on benicar, which I hope will not cause the cough to continue. Wondering how long now it will be before the coughing ends. :\

First of all I am an Asthmatic. I've been taking Lisinopril for a few months. I also developed a cough and has gotten to the point to where neither I or my husband get any sleep. The same thing happens to me as it does to Judy C. My doctor put me on Protonix (for acid reflux) as well, which also causes throat irritation... Could it be a combination of the two medications?

Wow!
I am so relieved I've found this site.

I was prescribed lisinopril 5mg about two and a half months ago. After a few days I noticed my throat and mouth were feeling dry, but made no connection. Soon a tickle in my throat turned into dry cough which has become worse each day, to the point of retching and vomiting. Not good when I deal with the public most days and my job involves telephone conversations, which I am having to put on hold while I cough.

I have just had a chat with a pharmacist friend, who is aware of this side effect and it seems that in the uk at least this is often the first choice of drug for treating high blood pressure. Could it be that this is the cheapest drug of its type? I think I'd rather risk not taking the drug as I'm sure my blood pressure goes up anyway with every coughing fit, not to mention the unpleasant effects of retching.
I'm off to see my GP in the morning to find out about alternative medication!

I was going to a specialist for two years for the most chronic, horrid, hacking cough I have ever witnessed. It was mortifying to have a coughing spell at work, in church, while driving my car (needed to pull over at times), or anywhere where people were astonished to see me coughing and gagging and not able to control it for extended periods of time. At one point I was not sleeping, severely depressed, and excruciatingly embarrassed to have to be around co-workers or the public in general for fear that I might make a spectacle of myself at any moment. I would not wish that out of control feeling on my worst enemy.

Anyway, after many, many treatments of steroids, allergy meds, and even codeine for cough, I thought to discuss with my ENT doc the fact that I was on lisinopril. At that point I stopped taking the drug and, in turn, my cough has disappeared, hopefully forever.

Thank goodness for sites like this one where I realized I was not dying a slow, horrible death from some incurable lung malady and that, in fact, I was experiencing a side effect of lisinopril. My doc says it's a beneficial drug, but that he has seen many of his patients suffering with the chronic, untreatable cough. You may have to take alternative drugs for BP, but the cough is just something I can not imagine have to deal with in daily life. It is truly maddening.

Wow, your comments regarding Lisinopril are eye opening! My doctor prescribed Lisinopril for me several months ago and I began to cough almost immediately after taking my first dose! I've been thinking I have allergies (although I've not had this kind of cough before) and decided to start taking Claritin, but it didn't help. I stopped taking my Lisinopril for a couple of days and the cough stopped! When I re-started my daily dose my cough almost immediately returned! It could be my imagination, but I now believe the Lisinopril is the problem! Thanks to everyone for your valuable comments!

I've been on Lisinopril for a few years. I too had the cough but it eventually went away. Now that I have lost a lot of weight the doctor has over a period of a month taken me completely off of the drug.

Now my cough has returned! It sure seems like that old cough that I had when I went on the drug. Is this possible?

Lynn

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: IF YOU ARE NO LONGER ON THE DRUG, YOU SHOULD LOOK FURTHER FOR THE REASON YOU ARE COUGHING.

Thank you all for the comments on Lisinopril. Please, please, make a statement on the FDA website (for whatever it is worth!) My husband has horrific coughing, gagging from this drug after one month with all the aforementioned symptoms. Went in and got med. changed, our summer is ruined thanks to this drug. And, no, it does not leave your body quickly.

We're both in decent shape, just everyone, please get out there and exercise... Apple cider vinegar works wonders and better diet. Who would even put these drugs out there???
Pat

I found this site on a Google search and have read most of the posts, I live in the UK and started on 5mg of Lisinopril over 2 years ago, six months ago I developed a bad chest infection, the coughing gave me really bad headaches and sleepless nights. I had 2 lots of antibiotics over a 4 month period but they did not help, neither did the cough medicines, the infection gradually subsided but left me with an irritating cough, on my forth visit to my doctors I was told it may be caused by the Lisinopril.

The doctor was reluctant to take me off it as she says it is one of the best HBP drugs, as my blood pressure was slightly high. She has now increased my dose to 20mg and says it should prove if it is the Lisinopril that is causing the cough as it will get worse??? She also says it might be asthma and is sending me for some tests, even though I have never had any chest problems before?

I was also advised to start using a steroid nasal spray? I said I was a little concerned that she had increased my Lisinopril dose from 5mg to 20mg but she says this is a normal dose! I am wondering if I should get the nasal spray or not, and what the effect is of increasing my dose of Lisinopril, will I be able to go back to a lower dose if it turns out that my coughing gets worse?

I was so relieved to find this sight. I fortunately have a fabulous pharmacist who told me when I picked up the prescription that I might experience a cough. I started taking lysinopril on July 8. I immediately started coughing and it got worse and worse. On July 27 my cardiologist changed my drug to losarten. The cough continued. It is a violent, gagging cough that has almost made me vomit. Water and cough drops don't help. I haven't slept through the night since July 8. I can't go to a movie or a play for fear I will have an "attack."

Last week I developed other symptoms; congestion, fever, etc and my Dr. gave me a z pack and said that lysinopril does not produce the kind of cough I have. Hello! I would like to refer her to this website. My cardiologist stopped the Losarten last week and said to monitor my bp until the cough is gone and then we will try something else. Obviously the Lysinopril cough was masking something else this past week(Dr says bacterial infection-chest x-ray negative) but I just assumed it was the same cough until I developed a temp.

I am so thankful to have found this website. I just pray my cough will stop soon. I am losing weight and exhausted from lack of sleep. Will go to another Dr. if this doesn't stop soon.

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: THERE ARE MANY CAUSES OF COUGH. AN INFECTION IS THE MOST LIKELY CULPRIT FOR COUGH WITH FEVER AND CONGESTION. BOTH LISINOPRIL AND LOSARTAN CAN CAUSE DRUG-INDUCED COUGH.

Ditto on all the above. I have had this hacking cough for years--thinking allergies. The embarrassment, gagging, actually throwing up, purple in the face, tickle, reflux etc. is about to go away. Doctor here I come!! My guess is more than 35% taking this drug are affected. This is a nasty reaction and the drug should be off the market. Thanks for all your help.

The only way we can get the FDA's attention on this is if everyone that has been affected files a complaint with the FDA. I am going to!