The People's Pharmacy® with Joe and Terry Graedon

A few years ago my husband was put on Altace. The coughing started up "TOO SOON" and went on and on and on. His sister mentioned that when SHE had been placed on Altace she, also, started that horrid coughing. When my husband mentioned his cough to our doctor, he was placed on enalopril and the coughing finally stopped. I had the same coughing problem when on Altace.
Sheila Anne

I also take lisinopril and did cough when I first started taking it. But now, after being on it for several years, I don't cough as much -- but I do still notice it with strenuous exercise.

I had the exact same problem, especially with a bp/diuretic pill -(maxide, diazide) Switched to atenolol, also benicar. I knew something wasn't right because my problem began with just a cough, no cold symptoms, and I could barely finish a sentence without coughing.

This concerns the coughing that might be associated with some of the Rx drugs mentioned. I wrote last week that ALTACE bothered my husband, his sister and me. (HERE is where generics MIGHT, again, be proven different, maybe?) WHEN my husband was placed on enalopril, a generic, his coughing stopped. WE BOTH are now on Diovan. HE is still on enalopril (his Rx is for kidney protection, as well as BP, his doctor said).

sheila anne

I can attest that when I reported coughing, my doctor switched me from Lisinopril to HCTZ. Much, much better. Thanks.

I have been on HCTZ 25 mg for approximately 2 years. Several months ago, I developed a persistant cough. My ENT doctor has tried several things, even treated me for acid reflux. I have no other symptoms, just the cough. Could this be caused by the HCTZ?

I took lisinopril for about a month. I developed the nagging dry cough, it was very bothersome. While out of town on a trip, I fainted. The ER docs said I was dehydrated--I think the lisinopril was part of the problem. When I got back into town, I told my regular doc I did not want to take lisinopril anymore. He said the problem with the cough was enough to take me off of it.

I was informed of a possible cough when the doctor prescribed the Quenorectic for me. I have started the cough and do not feel it is because of illness. I want to know what exactly happens when the BP meds cause a cough? Do you swell internally? What happens in your body? thanks, BK

For several years, I have been on lisinopril to control blood pressure. During that time, I have also had many lingering coughs after colds, some coughs lasting over a month. Does lisinopril produce a susceptibility to coughs, even when the dry cough reaction which can be a side effect of this drug, has not appeared?

ACE (angiontesin converting enzymes) inhibitors (lisinopril, most -pril ending meds) are a class of medicine that work by inhibiting an enzyme called angiontensin. This enzyme prevents a cascade of effects from occuring that would normally cause vasoconstriction at the kidney level, thereby preventing blood pressure from rising. Surprisingly, lungs and kidneys are closely related because one of those enzymes is converted by the lungs, which then effects the kidneys--which ultimately controls your blood pressure.

Unfortunately, during this conversion at the lungs, another enzyme is activated called BRADYKININ, which is proinflammatory, and can irritate and stimulate cough. Therefore ACE inhibitors can produce dry cough. About 20% of people experience the cough associated with ACE inhibitors. They are extremely effective with blood pressure control, and have a kidney protective effect.

If you experience cough that is intolerable to you, you can ask your physician to consider switching you to a class called ARBs, or angiotensin receptor blockers, which are not associated with a cough due to their different mechanism of action.

Oh sure. Same story. I developed this dry "tickling in the throat cough" right around the time my Doc diagnosed me with HTN and put me on Altace. I am a smoker, but had never had a cough like this. I would cough and cough until I would gag and throw up at work into my trashcan because the coughing would just come on so suddenly I didn't have time to make it to the ladies room. I even had to carry a small trash bag in my car because i was so afraid that I would throw up during my commute to and from work. Well, I didn't tell the doctor about this, but I did get him to give me another med. Lisinopril, and am still having the same problem. I know I will have to stop them and see MD for something else

I was on Altace for 10 years. Had no problem with coughing. I was put on lisinopril as I was taking the max dose of Altace and it no longer was effective. I've been on lisinopril for about 8 years and am now 65. I started with the dry cough about a year ago. It isn't too bad but has twice caused me to tear-up and leave a room filled with people. Lisinopril is very effective for me and I'd hate to switch. Can this cough be harmful at my age? Tk u.

I've been on lisinopril for about 4 months and the cough is driving me crazy. It feels like I have a piece of dust caught in my throat and I have to cough to clear it. The drug is working well, but I can't stand the cough. I'm curious if anyone else has this same type of symptom (dust in throat). I'm going to ask to be taken off lisinopril to see if that makes the cough go away.

I took lisinopril for a few months and then began coughing. I didn't think it was the drug since it was spring and I thought I must have an allergy to something.

The cough was getting worse each day. It was really bad at bedtime too. I have never been so miserable as the cough became more persistant and violent. I threw up 3 times from coughing so hard. I had a constant headache from coughing.

I lived on sugar free cough drops. I was scared that something was really wrong with me. I told my doctor and he said to stop taking the lisinopril and the cough should go away in 8-10 days or so if it is the lisinopril that is causing the cough.

The coughing began to subside within a few days. On the 8th day the cough stopped. The doctor told me that my blood pressure was not any lower either. So it was totally the wrong drug for me. On the other hand, my sister takes this drug too but without any side affects and it also lowers her BP.

I have had the coughing exprience with lisinopril until I blacked out and hit the floor. Its about time these medication improve, reference to these ridiculous side effects.

I was on HCTZ for a couple of years and my doctor changed me to Lisinopril a month ago. That's when I started my cough. It's like a tickle in my throat. I thought there was something seriously wrong with me. I go to the doctor this week and will be asking him to change me back to HCTZ. I never had the problem with HCTZ.

Why does Lisinopril make me cough? It's the only drug I've been on that has lowered my blood pressure so I don't want to quit taking it but this coughing is ridiculous! I'm going though a pack of cough drops every single day.

Yes I have to agree with everyone about Lisinopril. My doctor just added this drug to my other high blood pressure pill. And I have been doing nothing but coughing since. It keeps me up at night. I have a constant tickle in my throat that drive me nuts!!! When I see my doctor again, I will certainly mentioned this to her. I've never had this problem with my other medication.

I'm on Lisinoprol [and Atenolol], and the cough is killing me. I'm not getting any sleep. As soon as I get a hint of sleep, the coughing starts, and when I'm awake, I cough, and cough and cough. It's humiliating.

I am so glad to read that the cough might be this drug, so I'll go to the Doctor A.S.A.P to have it changed, but really, from researching... I had no idea it was so common.

I don't exaggerate when I say the cough is 'killing' me.

Just a follow-up:

I've been given [as a replacement for 5 mg Lisinoprol] 150 mg Aprovel.

The 'possible' side effects sound interesting.

I may post again from time to time to let you know how I get on.

I was also put on Lisinopril about 4 months ago, and have just now put the two together. The tickle in the throat and cough began almost immediately after I began the medication. I would also tear up and cough till I felt like gagging. It does interfere with sleep unless I am just totally exhausted, in which case I'm unconscious anyway. I am going to check with my doctor about a switch as well. Good luck all.....

It took a week, but the cough has gone. I actually got a full nights sleep.

What a relief.

:)

After having some trouble with Atenolol, rash on chest and forehead I was switched to Lisinopril. The coughing started shortly after my first dose. It would get bad when I would lie down to go to sleep for some reason and usually shortly after I took the medication. It's seemed to decrease for a bit but it's definitely back. I am a radio announcer and sometimes I am unable to get through a sentence without feeling like I'm going to choke. On my prescription bottle it states that this medication may cause a dry cough. I didn't notice it when I first got the prescription filled. At least the Atenolol rash went away.

I stopped taking Lisinopril 3 days ago and am still coughing so much my family and friends think it's bronchitis. I had to call in sick to work because of it. The pharmacist told me it was too soon because I only took it for 8 days, but it started on the 5th day and hasn't stopped yet. I can't get any sleep. My head hurts from coughing, and I sound like I have laryngitis. This is awful. The doctor has switched my medicine, but I am really scared to take anything else with this cough.

I had my nasty cough as early as Feb 08. Around June 08, Dr. xxxxx told me the cough must be allergies. Today (Sept 30, 08) he tells me that a known potential side effect of Lisinopril (and other ACE inhibitors) is a dry, itchy cough that won’t go away. He had prescribed me Lisinopril in Jan 08 to help control my blood pressure. Stopped taking it today.

I'm looking forward to being able to sleep at night soon!