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Experiencing Persistent Non Productive Chest Irritation And Cough
I have persistent non productive chesty irritating cough for 7 weeks. Not very serious but distracting. The cough is worst when i speak or laugh. Xray shows prominent aotic knuckle but no other findings. I am on hbp drugs (artacand-plus, metoprolol and aspirin) for over 3 yrs now. I am a man and is 46yrs old. My esr is 5 mm/ min and my lymphocyte is 50, other lab results are within normal limit. I am on piriton expectorant for the past 3 days with little relief. I get more relief if i sip juice or swallow my saliva regularly. Please can you help. Gil
Thu, 13 Aug 2015
Hello. Thank you for your questıon and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern.
The blood pressure lowering agent you are using, candesartan, is a part of angiotensinogen converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) drug family. This particular class, among other effects, by blocking the above mentioned enzyme, build up bradykinin. The latter stimulates and triggers cough. It is estimated that up to 15% of patients using this class of drugs, experience dry cough as a side effect. I would recommend you to switch to a class with almost identical properties and effects, minus the cough, which is the class of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB: losartan, eprosartan, olmesartan). I suggest you to discuss with your cardiologist about the dosage and frequency of usage. Dry cough should subside within three weeks after discontinuing candesartan.
I hope I was helpful. Best regards.
Dr. Meriton
The blood pressure lowering agent you are using, candesartan, is a part of angiotensinogen converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) drug family. This particular class, among other effects, by blocking the above mentioned enzyme, build up bradykinin. The latter stimulates and triggers cough. It is estimated that up to 15% of patients using this class of drugs, experience dry cough as a side effect. I would recommend you to switch to a class with almost identical properties and effects, minus the cough, which is the class of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB: losartan, eprosartan, olmesartan). I suggest you to discuss with your cardiologist about the dosage and frequency of usage. Dry cough should subside within three weeks after discontinuing candesartan.
I hope I was helpful. Best regards.
Dr. Meriton
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