ACE Inhibitor Cough - When is it enough? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

violet312s · 06-20-2006, 09:58 PM

I've been on Altace for 4 weeks while continuing to taper down toprol XL doses (100mg 2x to now 12.5mg 2x to only 12.5mg at night). 5mg Altace has finally brought BP under control. 100mg Toprol 2 times a day did nada and made me miserable (including a deep bronchial cough and massive sinus drainage).

Like clockwork I get tickling in throat 1-2 hours after taking that mid-day Toprol dose (about 6 hours after Altace dose). Had it before I started Altace, but now it is obscene. I do not get a cough in the evening or morning. Just that 2-4 hours after Toprol dose. I'm down to a 12.5mg Toprol dose. It is an uncontrollable cough verging on throwing up. Cough drops are now my friend along with the tiny bottles of water. Hoping it's more the slam of two dry-mouth drugs (Altace and Toprol) than the dreaded ACE Inhibitor cough.

Yes, I'm going to stick with Altace for now after I fully taper off of that mid-day Toprol dose, but curious on what others have experienced with the ACE Inhibitor cough and when it hits you during the day.

ANNETTE73 · 06-21-2006, 03:50 AM

I have also got the cough. Mine is worse at work. I am thinking that is because of all the dust there. When I cough it doesn't last long but it does feel like I am going to throw up. What I do is as soon as I feel taht tickly I start drinking water or eat a hard candy. I know that it can be very disruptive espicialy when I am on the phone.

Brad53 · 06-21-2006, 05:09 PM

I stopped it after taking it for 3 years. It is never too late to experience the dry, hacking cough, I found out. I stopped Altace when the cause of the cough was apparent, and when it started causing respiratory distress. I became very hoarse also. I did the 4 day trial, which I gather is safe, unlike trying this with a beta blocker, which I know is not safe. The cough and respiratory difficulties went away.

violet312s · 06-21-2006, 08:15 PM

The irony is that the Toprol gave me a very deep bronchial cough. The Altace cough is different, a "tickling" in the tonsils. For now I don't know which one is causing it, but my bets are now on Altace.

I've always had issues with gag coughs (even when I get a cold). This one is just nuts in how violent it is. Fortunately each episode only lasts 5 minutes and they don't happen at night.

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that once I taper off Toprol the cough lessens so I can stay on Altace. It's the only drug that has worked thus far.

If it doesn't, have no choice but to switch. Public speaking is a huge part of my job so the gagging doesn't quite work.

Lenin · 06-22-2006, 07:34 AM

I coughed with enalapril. It tended to be worse in the evening, often WORST just when retiring.

When is "enough, enough"...for me, 6 months of torture was just about the "enough" point.