[Mich]

I thought I would post this because of a recent experience with an ACE inhibitor. I was given this med 20+ years ago before I even had high blood pressure. The study had just been released saying that it would help protect kidney function in diabetics.

The first week or so, I was dizzy now and then and had a bit of a mild cough. Both symptoms disappeared.

About two years ago when my blood pressure began to creep up, my endo sent me for a baseline evaluation by a heart specialist due to my longstanding diabetes. My heart was fine and my vessels and arteries are healthy also but he doubled the ACE inhibitor and added a beta blocker. General principles I guess. My endo agreed with it so I went with it. I couldn't function with the beta blocker (I felt like I was made of lead, I was so tired) until I got it down to ONE SIXTH of the dose prescribed (25 mg now.)

Over the two years since, I began to cough--more and more. Eventually it got to the point where I gagged and couldn't stop coughing. I gagged so badly, it nearly made me throw up. It never entered my mind that it was the ACE inhibitor because I had been taking it for 20 years.

Well it was.

About a month ago, my endo switched me to an angiotensin receptor inhibitor which does the same job as the ACE inhibitor but in a different way.

Magic. I haven't coughed since that day.

Sooo, if you are taking an ACE inhibitor and coughing, don't just "tough it out." Ask your doctor.

Mich

[princesslinda]

Glad you've gotten a medication that doesn't cause those side effects....odd that you'd have them suddenly after all those years. I've taken Accupril for about 10 years now...did notice a "tickle" at first, but this went away.

[kgm0612]

My mom experienced the "cough" on two different blood pressure medications. She's now on a third with no coughing symptoms at all.

Karen

[Scrabblechick]

I had that tickle too, the first couple of weeks I was on the Enalapril, but don't have it, now. I tolerate it pretty well, thank goodness.

[bluesgirl102]

While I didn't have the ACE cough, I did indeed experience severe vertigo while on Accupril. It was so bad I had to discontinue it. Just about 8 months ago my GP put me on Diovan which is an ARB due to my blood pressure creeping up and, of course, for the kidney protection. I was very hesitant to do go on the Diovan due to the problems I had years ago with the Accupril. Surprisingly, I have had no problems with the Diovan. Oh, like you Mich, I also take a beta blocker as well...

[Eddy]

2.5 mg enalapril made me cough, not to mention crazy tired. BP also was creeping up.

I'm now on 20 mg benicar (an ARB).

[Blue Dog]

I had that hacking cough when I was first put on ACE inhibitors. Some people are allergic is what I was told. After a few months, my doctor switched me. I'm on Hyzaar and Norvasc now, blood pressure under control.

[GretchO]

Originally Posted by Mich

About a month ago, my endo switched me to an angiotensin receptor inhibitor which does the same job as the ACE inhibitor but in a different way.

Mich

Mich...which angiotensin receptor inhibitor did your doc put you on? I'm currently taking Lisinopril, have the cough, and have been unable to convince my endo it's ACE inhibitor related. He told me to wait until my next visit as he was pretty sure it was just a cold (yes, I've been coughing for like 3 years, must be a cold!). It's driving my husband (and me) crazy.

...Gretchen

[Mich]

Gretchen,

Lisinopril is the one I took for 20+ years. At first 20mg, then the heart doctor doubled me to 40mg which caused the cough/gagging after two months.

My endo switched me to Diovan 160 mg. I stopped coughing the very next day.

The only drawback and it isn't a big one is that it is not available in a generic.

Mich

[Norman_G]

Originally Posted by Mich

Gretchen,

Lisinopril is the one I took for 20+ years. At first 20mg, then the heart doctor doubled me to 40mg which caused the cough/gagging after two months.

My endo switched me to Diovan 160 mg. I stopped coughing the very next day.

The only drawback and it isn't a big one is that it is not available in a generic.

Mich

Altace or ramipril is quite commonly used now - it is an ACE inhibitor with a low incidence of the coug hside effect. Also now available as a generic (in Canada any way) . I order out of India for the price advantage as no insurance

[notme]

I take Lotrel. It is part Ace Inhibitor and partly a calcium channel blocker.


Lotrel

Generic Name: amlodipine and benazepril


Amlodipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine relaxes (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow.

Benazepril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme. Benazepril also widens blood vessels and prevents the body from retaining water, which increases blood pressure.

Lotrel is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is usually given after other blood pressure medications have been tried without successful treatment.

Lotrel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.


Common side effects are dizziness and cough. So far, I don't suffer from either.

[Mich]

Thanks, Nancy.

I'll keep Lotrel in mind as I evaluate the effects of this Diovan. I seem to have an unidentified one minute headache now and then. I'm waiting to see if it's sinus related. It isn't in the usual sinus places though.

I hate to keep piling on pills. You never know what even one small change will add to the mix.

I do appreciate feedback from this group when trying to figure it all out.

Mich

[TeeJaxx]

My doc put me on Conversyl. He warned me that 1 in 10 people have a coughing reaction to it. We both hoped I wouldn't be the1 in 10.

Two or three days after I started it, I started coughing. Just a little at first, but by about a month, I was up nights coughing.
He wanted me to try it for a 3 month period. The last 2 months were pure he**. I'd cough so hard, I'd almost vomit. I work with immune compromised people, so they would freak out as I was coughing, and I had to explain to them that I wasn't contagious, this is a medication side effect.

Finally, 3 months ended and I went back and told him what I went through. So, he switched me to Avapro. I haven't had any problems with this so far....... touch wood.

[Cyborg]

I got the ACE Cough from ACE Inhibitors. I ended up switching to Cozaar (an angiotensin II receptor antagonist) and the problem has completely dissapeared.

[moorejames]

I took an ACE inhibitor for close to 3 years before my cough developed. Switched to something else and it was gone in days.