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What Causes Difficulty Breathing And Dry Cough Despite Using Losartan?

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Posted on Wed, 1 Oct 2014
Question: husband has sosb and a dry cough haven't contacted heart dr, by main physician change from benazepril/ hctz 20-25 mg to losartan///hct 50-12.5mg I have noticed yesterday when he tried to lift something heay he really got sob?? Was it a good switch or should I go back??
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It was a good switch.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for using HealthcareMagic!
I read carefully your query and understand your concerns.

His doctor changed the medication of blood pressure because the dry cough might be a side effect of the previous combination Benazepril/hctz .
Benazepril is a drug of the angiotensin- converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor class used primarily in treatment of hypertension.All the members of this class of drugs are known to cause a dry cough as side effect.
It doesn't happen in all patients treated with these drugs but when it happen ,the only choice is to change the medication and try a new combination.

The first choice is a drug of the Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) class.
Losartan is an ARB drug so it was the right switch.

This difficulty breathing might be due to high blood pressure because it may take some time for the body to adapt to the new treatment and during this time his blood pressure may fluctuate.
I recommend to measure his blood pressure during these episodes of shortness of breath.
If the blood pressure is in normal values (under 140/90) during these episodes ,this means that blood pressure is not the cause and he need to consult his doctor and get examined to figure out the cause.
If his blood pressure is high then you should give some time to the body to adapt to the new treatment.

Coricidin contains a combination of acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of histamine in the body ( sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose).

Coricidin is used to treat headache, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and pain or fever caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.
It doesn't interact with blood thinners so your husband can take Coricidin if his doctor recommend it.


Hope it was of help.
Let me know if you have any other question or doubt to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further.

Kind Regards!
Dr.Rovena Murati
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Rovena

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2013

Answered : 1243 Questions

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What Causes Difficulty Breathing And Dry Cough Despite Using Losartan?

Brief Answer: It was a good switch. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for using HealthcareMagic! I read carefully your query and understand your concerns. His doctor changed the medication of blood pressure because the dry cough might be a side effect of the previous combination Benazepril/hctz . Benazepril is a drug of the angiotensin- converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor class used primarily in treatment of hypertension.All the members of this class of drugs are known to cause a dry cough as side effect. It doesn't happen in all patients treated with these drugs but when it happen ,the only choice is to change the medication and try a new combination. The first choice is a drug of the Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) class. Losartan is an ARB drug so it was the right switch. This difficulty breathing might be due to high blood pressure because it may take some time for the body to adapt to the new treatment and during this time his blood pressure may fluctuate. I recommend to measure his blood pressure during these episodes of shortness of breath. If the blood pressure is in normal values (under 140/90) during these episodes ,this means that blood pressure is not the cause and he need to consult his doctor and get examined to figure out the cause. If his blood pressure is high then you should give some time to the body to adapt to the new treatment. Coricidin contains a combination of acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of histamine in the body ( sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose). Coricidin is used to treat headache, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and pain or fever caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu. It doesn't interact with blood thinners so your husband can take Coricidin if his doctor recommend it. Hope it was of help. Let me know if you have any other question or doubt to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further. Kind Regards! Dr.Rovena Murati