Cough associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

Cough is reported by between 0.7% and 14% of patients taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. There are more reports from women and non-smokers. The development of cough during ACE inhibitor therapy is associated with a reversible increase in the response of the cough reflex. The response remains normal in those who do not develop cough while on ACE inhibitor therapy. Both hypersensitivity of the cough reflex and the symptom of cough are reversed by sulindac which suggests that the abnormal reflex is dependent on cyclo-oxygenase products.