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Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and cough
G I Town1, G P Hallwright, T J Maling
1Department of Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine.
The New Zealand Medical Journal
|March 25, 1987
Summary
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can cause a new cough in some patients. However, other factors like asthma or smoking may also cause cough, making the exact incidence uncertain.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are widely prescribed for cardiovascular conditions.
- A dry cough is a known potential side effect of ACE inhibitors.
- The precise incidence and causality of cough associated with ACE inhibitors require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between ACE inhibitor use and the development of new-onset cough.
- To differentiate ACE inhibitor-induced cough from other potential causes of chronic cough.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 80 patients treated with ACE inhibitors.
- Detailed respiratory investigations were conducted in a subset of patients who developed cough.
- Placebo and rechallenge challenges were used to assess causality in some participants.
Main Results:
- Cough developed in 25% of patients taking ACE inhibitors.
- Of 17 patients with detailed investigations, 12 reported a new cough.
- Five of these 12 patients experienced cough remission with placebo and recurrence upon rechallenge with the ACE inhibitor.
Conclusions:
- ACE inhibitors can cause new-onset cough.
- Other conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, smoking, and heart failure are potential confounding causes of cough.
- The true incidence of ACE inhibitor-induced cough remains uncertain due to multifactorial cough etiologies.