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What Causes Severe Cough?

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Posted on Sat, 20 Sep 2014
Question: I am 42 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 75kg. I have had a terrible cough for about 6 months now and I spit out sputum constantly and sometimes it chokes me. The cough has refused to go away despite several hospital visits, tests and treatments which included several bottles of cough syrup, antibiotics and so on and only tonight it occurred to me that it was about the same time that I was first diagnosed for the first time in my life to be hypertensive and since when I've been placed on Thiapril Ramipril & Hydrochlorothiazide tablets with each uncoated tablet containing 5.0mg of Ramipril and 12.5mg of Hydrochlorothiazide. It occured to me that I may be showing some of the side effects of the drug and decided to check the literature that came with the packet of drugs only to discover that cough is one of the side effects indicated. Can this be the primary cause of my cough?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
YES - you are absolutely right

Detailed Answer:
Dear friend,

YES
Cough is a well-known side effect of this class of drugs (ACEI = Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors)
Stop the drug (Ramipril)
Switch over to a different class altogether – there are several classes of drugs and several drugs in each class. See your cardiologist or physician – get appropriate prescription


Take care
Good luck
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (49 minutes later)
Thanks so much for the feedback but it's so painful that it took me at least six months to figure this out.

I also did additional research on the internet about Thiapril and I discovered so much about ACE inhibitors and Ramipril and their relationship with cough as a side effect.

I guess it's because I was with a different hospital and doctor at the time THIAPRIL was prescribed for me, from the hospital and doctor I'm with now, so the new hospital and doctor didn't even know that I'm on hypertensive drugs.

Best Regards.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Your intelligence & perseverance paid...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

It is rather surprising that the issue was missed...
This class is notorious for this side effect (rather - effect!)
Any new development after a drug, should be attributed to the drug - unless proved otherwise. Even otherwise, giving the benefit of doubt and stopping the is the wise action.
Don't worry - it is a question of time... / You will be alright in spite of doctors, if not because of doctors!!!???
God bless you

Regards
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Anantharamakrishnan

Cardiologist

Practicing since :1966

Answered : 4505 Questions

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What Causes Severe Cough?

Brief Answer: YES - you are absolutely right Detailed Answer: Dear friend, YES Cough is a well-known side effect of this class of drugs (ACEI = Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors) Stop the drug (Ramipril) Switch over to a different class altogether – there are several classes of drugs and several drugs in each class. See your cardiologist or physician – get appropriate prescription Take care Good luck