Cozaar Cough??

jv109 · 06-02-2005, 03:29 PM

I was recently switched (not weaned) from Atenolol to Lisinopril where I developed "the cough". After about one month I was then switched from Lisinopril to Cozaar. I have been on the Cozaar for about 2.5 weeks.

Don't know if its me being paranoid, but I seem to be getting this slight cough, feeling of having to clear my throat sometimes. Especially at night.

Could it be that the Cozaar might have the coughing side effect also?

Lenin · 06-03-2005, 09:53 AM

It could be the Cozaar.

Though the ARB's are less apt to cause coughing than the ACEI's they DO cause coughing in a minority of users.
I have taken Cozaar on and off for a long time. After a one month "Cozaar fast" I went back on and developed the ACE cough (I know it well from my Vasotec days...and it's a VERY distinct kind of cough, unlike any other with it's insanely irritating tickle that causes, but isn't relieved by a cough.) After a month of this hack I stopped Cozaar AGAIN...cough went away immediately and then when I started up again...NO COUGH. I take 50 mg./day (give or take because I break 100's and those teardrop shaped pills are IMPOSSIBLE to cleave evenly.)

jv,
Only way too be sure is to go off for awhile and see if the itchy tickle goes away. Do you have any thiazides lying around that you could use in the interim. Don't go back on the atenolol unless you want another wean...and of course, going onto the lisinopril would torpedo the test.
If your BP isn't TOO bad, probably you can get by with nothing. After all Cozaar is only SLIGHTLY better than nothing IMHO.

jv109 · 06-03-2005, 10:15 AM

Thanks for your reply! Maybe if this continues, btw, I feel fine this morning! But if it starts to bother me again, maybe I can take one, every other day...

Lenin · 06-04-2005, 10:37 AM

jv...
Unfortunately the ACEI cough is not dose related...if you get it you get it. So every other day dosing won't abate the cough if Cozaar is the cause.

lindiana53 · 06-06-2005, 12:55 PM

Well, I also seem to be one of the unluck minority who coughs with an ARB. Mine is Benicar. Would I have better luck with another drug from this group?