Coughing ?

amy · Jul 5, 2002

My husband will have an aortic valve replacement in two weeks. He has regurgitation and an enlarged heart. My husband has been taking acupril for about three weeks. The last few days, he has developed a dry cough. Could this be related to his heart or the medicine?

Nancy · Jul 5, 2002

Hi Amy-

Some meds do cause a dry cough, also some valve problems cause a dry cough. So it could be one or both. My husband has had dry coughing from both the valve problems (prior to surgery), and sometimes due to meds.

Here's a good website on the different valves and their problems and symptoms of each.

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/23659.html

Mara · Jul 5, 2002

Amy-
I had a dry cough before my surgery, too. I always figured it was because of the valve problem. I was on lanoxin and Corgard prior to surgery.
-Mara

Courtney · Jul 5, 2002

Amy,
A dry cough is definitely a side affect of, the ace inhibitor, Accupril.
As Nancy said there could be other reasons but the above is well documented.
Every good wish

Gillian

ALCapshaw · Jul 6, 2002

I developed a dry cough after a few months on Zestril (another ACE inhibitor) which is a well known side effect. My cardiologist switched me to COZAAR which did not have this effect. It took a little time (2 weeks?) for the cough to fully go away.

'AL'

Blanche · Jul 7, 2002

Amy:
I checked one of the drug databases and found that when taking Accupril, "...dry cough may occur the first several days as the body adjusts to the medication." All ACE inhibitors carry this side effect warning. However, there are other ACE inhibitor drugs that might not affect your husband in the same way.

As Al stated, he had no difficulties with Cozaar which is also a beta blocker/Ace inhibitor drug. And, the good news with Cozaar is that they found that it can significantly cut the risk of having a stroke or developing diabetes, as well as control blood pressure. Now those are side effects that I like.

For more info on the Cozaar study,
see http://www.msnbc.com/news/727032.asp?cpl1=1
I hope this helps some. My best wishes to you and yours. You will be in my prayers.