Q: Hello, I have been coughing for over two years. First they said asthma, then allergies and then reflux. Incidentally, I have been taking BP meds for over two years. Is it possible they are causing the cough?
A: Drugs used to treat high blood pressure that are known as ACE inhibitors (angiotension converting enzyme inhibitors) can be the cause of chronic cough. Examples of ACE inbitors include lisinopril,enalapril, and captopril. Ask your pharmacist or doctor what type of blood pressure medication you are taking.
(39 votes, average: 4.38 out of 5)
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I, too, had this cough problem with Benicar for about 3 years. I told my doctor and she changed to another in the same drug family (can’t remember the name) and it, too, caused major coughs. I don’t know why this isn’t told us when we take these meds; just cover up the cough problem with some other medication. I’m now taking atenolol (no more coughs!!) and have great results with my blood pressure, and so far, no side effects. My husband was on this med for about 20 years and did really well.
I take lisinopril and it makes me cough, too.That is one of the side effects of this medicine. It was bad at first, but has subsided somewhat.
Enalapril caused my cough. Pippa
I’ve had a nagging cough for a long time that I’ve chalked up to sinus problems. Maybe it is my Benicar instead. Thanks!
My first BP medication disabled me. Every muscle and joint suffered from severe pain. The solution appeared when my pharmacy notified me to have blood work re potassium level. It was a little low but I was unable to work and on SS Disability for a couple years. Recently I suffered from bronchitis that evolved into chronic asthma. Currently I’m on Lisinopril for BP and insist on taking potassium but still have muscle spasams. Nobody has suggested the Lisinopril may be the cause of the asthma issue. What do you think?
Hi Sharon
Do yourself a favour and purchase a copy of Joel Fuhrman’s book “Eat to Live” and follow his recommendations. You probably won’t need medication any more. I was on 11 tablets a day including 2 for BP and stopped taking them all in 20 days. I have been off all medication now for over 3 months, I walk 4 miles 6 days a week and feel 20 years younger. It worked for me BIG time! My BP is normal and my sugar levels are normal also and I lost 45 lbs easily. Really, easily! I struggled for years to lose weight to no avail. I have learned many things from this book including that medication side effects usually out do the benefits.
Good luck.
Fantastic! I enjoyed reading your post Alan. I too, read a copy of Dr. Fuhrmans “Eat to Live” as well as Dr. Esselstyn’s “Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease” Been on a plant based no oil diet for 12 month now and got rid of my BP meds in 2 months and BP has remained normal ever since. It works wonderfully.
Also recommend “Lower your Blood Pressure in 8 weeks” by Stephen Sinatra as there are some good tips for those who prefer an alternative to plant based with some good supplement tips as well.
I took Lisinopril for a short period of time a year ago and hadn’t heard of any asthma issues. It’s trademark side effect seems to be the dry cough, alhtough for me it wasn’t a bad drug, but some annoying lightheadedness from time to time. I don’t like feeling like that.
Yes, ACE inhibitors, such as fosinipril, can cause a chronic cough in many people.
I know two people who had this coughing problem when taking a generic form of an ACE inhibitor. Both stopped the coughing when they stopped taking the generic form.
I developed a chronic cough from a medication called Prinvil. When I discontinued the meds the cough went away.
I took cozzar cozaar whatever
for HBP for about two weeks. Caused a bad
cough, and seemed to dry my eyes
out unacceptably, so I stopped.
I FOUND I WAS COUGHING WITH DIOVAN. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH I BELIEVE THAT WAS THE CAUSE. AM I CORRECT?
Diovan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). This type of antihypertensive is much less frequently associated with cough than ace inhibitors and physicians frequently substitute it for an ace inhibitor when cough becomes a problem.
Yup ! Lisinopril too !
Told to use Nasonex to deter nasal flow and post-nasal drip causing cough to clear saline in mucous drip on epiglottis.
Did the Nasonex work?
I’ve been taking felodipine (plendil) over the last 2 years. I’ve developed a cough over the last 6 months. Do people see the same coughing problem with calcium channel blockers like felodipine as they do with ACE inhibitors?
I have been using plendil for two years I’ve developed lower lip crack and my gum bleeds every time I brush my teeth
I just started taking Lisonipril and have noticed a tiny cough of no significant concern, but I want to know WHY it makes you cough.
I started on Lisinipril May 27th and I have been coughing since then. At the same time, I started with allergy symptoms of post nasal drip and sneezing. I have not had summer allergy problems before. I don’t know if the coughing is from the lisinipril or new allergies.
I too had this problem some years back with an ACE inhibitor. I did my homework on google and showed the results to my dr. He switchedme to Procaredia, a calcium channel blocker, and the coughing went away.
I had a cough on BP medication and my doctor changed the medication didn’t help the cough. Went through 5 different medication still coughing. Went to a lung specialist, couldn’t find anything, doctor takes me off all medication still coughing then sent to an ear, nose and throat guy and before I even get the appointment I stopped coughing. This doctor says it is acid reflux gives me medication to take every day and I go back saying no cough, he thinks he worked a miracle – now on BP medication again – will see how it goes.
Have now just bought a Resperate!
Have had one for 4 months now. Seems to work as I take my BP before and after. Don’t know how long it works. New meds that I take 4 times a day seem to be doing the trick after years of trying about 30 drugs. Take 3 diferent kinds a day. Even if it doesn’t work for BP, it is a restful 15 mins. and may help you sleep.
I too have a cough for over 4 years, my BP medication is Hydrochlothiazide which I have taken for many years.
I have been diagnosed with all kinds of breathing disorders, and even Parvo as reasons for my cough, but through it all my constant medication is the one for BP. humm…..
I was on lisinpril and devloped a bad cough and I was having difficulties swallowing food, mainly chicken and beef. I went off lisinipril and switched to cozaar. The cough and diffuculty went away after a short while Then I developed severe sinus congestion, and asthma. The doctors told me I was at that age that I would get allergies and asthma. I sought advice from an allergist who confirmed I had no Allergies and that the asthma was from mucous buildup from my sinuses. My eyesight was becoming blurred. I Had had enough of this so I had my doctor take me off of Cozarr and my blood pressure dropped 30 points, my sinuses cleared and I could breath again within 24 hours. My eyesight took slightly longer to adjust but it is back to normal now.
I am on metoporolol and have nasal drip for years—could it cause this?
I, too have been on metoporolol for years and have blamed my nasal drip, sneezing and cough on allergy. Am never without tissues near by – and cough drops. Am glad to learn about this.
low pulse
each time i take my bp, the pulse read low 48 55 especially in the morning.is there any problem with low pulse? pls help me
You may be on a beta blocker. Talk to your doctor.
Shouldn’t be any issues with low pulse as long as you feel ok. If lightheaded or dizzy talk with your doctor. I regularly maintain a heart rate of 50 without meds. It’s the exercise that lowers it for me.
My doctor had changed me to Lisinipril and I started coughing all the time. My internist and ear,nose and throat doctor thought I had some kind of esophageal reflux going on because my throat was a little inflamed. Actually it was the cough causing the inflamation. I was on a different medical website when I read someone else’s story about Lisinipril. Told me doctor I was discontuing it and my cough stopped within 10 days of not taking it.
I have been taking Verapamil 240mg. for years and also, within the last two years, an additional Tekturna, 150 mg. I have been plagued with extreme hoarseness for several years now. No acid reflux. Have been scoped several times with no injury to vocal cords seen. Is this blood pressure medicine one of those that causes this?
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Is Ramipril one of those that can cause a cough?
I know our doctors(on the most part), does the best they can to get us/help us stay well, BUT, in my case, trhe medicines I take know for my hypertention, works best, NOT by taking it as my doctor prescribed, but by taking it every OTHER day.
Taking it my way, has lowered my pressure.
Not to defy my doctor, but my way works better, but my doctors scription IS good for I, for Iwas MISdiagnosed by another doctor and was taking medications for RA, when after seeing TWO specialist who cared enought to take the time, properly diagnosed I with OA and I wil be forever greatful for their honesty!
I took Lisinopril for 4 years before I realized my cough (dry, uncontrollable, tickle — not caused by mucous) was a side-effect. Have been off of Lisinopril for 10 months, but the cough continues.
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I took Perindopril for about 4 years during which time I suffered a persistent dry cough and wheezing so bad that they thought I had asthma and gave me medication for that. I spoke to a different doctor one day and he changed my Perindopril tablets to Candesartan Cilexetil and guess what….the cough and the wheezing went away within days.
Tenormin really gave me a bad dry cough for months. Dr. never mentioned it and I read about it online and switched meds. No problem–cough went away in a few days!
Metoprolol is a beta blocker. I have to have it for BP, and to decrease my rapid pulse. My idiot dr, took my nitetime beta blocker away and gave me benicar. Now my pulse rate goes real high again in the middle of the night, and on until I take my Metoprolol, in late morning. The rapid pulse I believe, runs my BP up real high too. Dr. wont pay any attention. I am dr shopping and intend to have a new one by mid december.
I just received my Resperate, too, and I sure hope it works. It is very calming, and I love it. I use it about 2 times a day now. Cant figure out how to turn the numbers in they want me to record. I finally did it right, tonight, though.
I just hate having HBP. Mine is almost uncontrollable, and my current dr wants me to check into the hosp for tests. I wont do it. He ruined my medications, and I am leaving him for being rude to me. I have a little of a nagging cough too, likely BP med, but not near as bad as what I had with other BP meds.
Ask your doctor to give you a BP medicine belonging to another class. I am told basically there are three classes of BP med.
Alternatively U can take ur doc in confidence and stop medicine for one week. This will certainly establish if the problem is caused by BP med. I & my wife suffered and it was found to have been caused by BP med
I have 2 problems, I have been taking propranolol for the past 5 years for high bp, and tachycardia; I have had several episodes and do have scaring on my heart from a myocardial infract. I also have Celiac disease, currently both are controlled, the bp med I am wondering if it is the cause of a persistant non-productive cough that doesn’t respond to cough meds nor allergery meds. I have long had GERD possibly associated with my food allergery, but currently I have no problem with that I have found probiotics to maintain the acids/alkaline balances in my stomach to be quite effective in dealing with GERD. Are the heart/bp meds a possible culprit regards the cough…day or night doesn’t seem to make any difference.
Hi,
I am a 58 years old male from India.
I have been diagnosed with HBP for the last 25 years.
I have been prescribed with various combination of drugs.
One is enalapril; for first 2 years no side effect. After
2 years I had severe dry cough. On doctor’s advice, I discontinued the drug. Now I am taking Cardio selective beta blocker. I am easily tired; severe head and body aches some times. Is it due to beta blockers ?
does amlodipine cause coughing..persistent cough over last eighteen months
My cough plagued me for years. I was on Lisinopril, changed to amlodipine, no better. Then difficulty in swallowing started. Doctor was useless, dancing in the dark. Cough so bad i had to carrry water everywhere. swallowing so bad, could hardly eat anything !Lived on lightly boiled eggs and cereal.
When I discovered the culprit was the BP meds I stopped taking them. I can now eat normally, and my cough is 90% better. This recovery has taken nealy 2 years.I was opn BP meds for 15 years. I was never well, always undermined with side effects. I think our bodies can only take so much, before they react so strongly. I now tale Olive Leaf Extract and Shiiataki mushroom capsules. Both available in Health food shops. Listen to what your body is telling you .
My BP is now lower than it ever was on the meds.
I am taking metropolol tartrate (generic). after about 2 yrs I started a problem with exess production of phlegm.
This is a VERY SERIOUS probleme for me, it has been going on for nearly 2 yrs. I consulted numerous ORL doctors without any results. Is there, somewhere a HBP center that can check this kind of problem and determine which HBP medication is with no, or less side effects.
Thks in advance
Absolutely! My doctor put me on Vasotec and Enslipri for high bp and I started having a cough it was worse at night. I looked up the side effects and coughing was a side effect of vasotec. I stopped taking it and my cough went away. I felt so much better that a few months later I stopped the Enalapril and started controlling my bp with natural remedies…diet,exercise,meditation, deep breathing, it’s been four months and so far its working…Be your own advocate, take responsibility for your health and research your medications, research your doctors. Remember they work for you.
In spite of my life altering problems with amlodipine, my doctor informed me that it is still the first choice of BP meds for new BP patients.He said I am one of the unfortunate small percentage who have an adverse reaction to it! I suspect that far more patients suffer than the ones they actually acknowledge. This has altered my perception of doctors. Never believe anything you hear and only half you see.
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