Ramipril cough

I have been on Ramipril for 6 months and have had a dry cough all this time which has got worse but I am on it to stop worsening of a Kidneys problem so am reluctant to stop taking this but have now reached the point where I cannot get a good night sleep so have stopped the drug to see if any improvement. Am having a chest CT scan this week but after reading comments doubt anything will show. Will see my GP for results and will discuss changing medication.

Good morning TIlly

Obviously you can’t change from one medication to another unilaterally, and it is something to discuss with your doctor or consultant. I had a renal transplant nine years ago, and had been on Ramipril for about six years before the link between my cough and the medication was pointed out. As soon as I mentioned the cough and Ramipril to my GP he changed me immediately. I think they prefer to prescribe Ramipril because it is an accepted treatment for people with renal problems, and also from the economic point of view. Have a chat with your GP, and if necessary your Consultant. I don’t think it’s in anyone’s interest to have a long term cough to cope with.

Dwarf

Thank you Dwarf for your advice. I have made an appointment with my GP for Wednesday this week and will update how I get on. I have only been on 1.25mg Ramipril so a low dose and as I am 63 but a non smoker, my cough and breathlessness could be other reasons which might show on the CT scan, but even if I have a lung condition, I still believe Ramipril is worsening my coughing. I only hope my GP thinks this and changes my medication.

When I came off Ramapril through my Doctor the cough vanished in a couple of weeks and also the breathlessness went too,now I am on 4mg of Candasarten and am feeling a lot better .

Have seen GP this afternoon, she suggests staying off Ramipril for 2 weeks to see if improvement stating this is lenghth of time needed for Bradykin to dissipate from my lungs and if necessary she will change medication for something else after this time. My Chest CT scan has been cancelled for tomorrow due to machine breaking down, so will have to wait to find out if any other reason for coughing and breathlessness. I hope staying off Ramipril will cure my cough as cannot stand many more sleepless uncomfortable nights.

Good morning Tilly, sounds like a reasonable result, what are they doing about the BP in the mean time? Bit of a bugger about the CT, but some things cant be helped. Do let me know what happens next. Good luck.

Hiya Dwarf, yes was happy with the plan. Dr said BP may rise a little but have BP machine so to keep checking and not to worry unless goes very high. Had MRI got on ok and hey also had Chest CT scan as machine fixed so just need to wait for results. My coughing was less during night and today so hopeful it was Ramipril causing my symptoms and will slowly improve, have been off it 1 week now. It really helps me to discuss my problem on this forum to get others opinions.

Good morning Tilly,

Fingers crossed and hope all goes well. You mentioned you were on Ramipril to protect your kidneys, are you due a transplant or are they hoping to keep yours going?

Hiya Dwarf, My GFR rate is low and my blood pressure raised so was given Ramipril by GP to stop this getting worse or slow lowering of GFR worsening. I've not reached the stage where I need to see a Urologist. Was being monitored only by my GP having Blood tests all 2011 then Jan 2012 put me on Ramipril.

My GP said coughing could also be due to reflux and has suggested that if staying off Ramipril does not prevent cough she will prescribe Omeprazol to help reflux. Don't think I am having any reflux from stomach so is my GP messing with my health or has anyone else found that reflux and not Ramipril was the cause of coughing and breathlessness?

THE HORRIBLE COUGH.....neverending!!!

I was on 5 mg of Ramipril for a couple of weeks almost when I went back to my Dr. about having a cough, post nasl drip and to have my BP taken. It just happened that I had a pretty bad cold at that time also.

I put on the face mask in the waiting room.....no one else did. I read the sign, and YES, I did have a cough, but OMGosh, little did I know what I was in for, still religiously taking 5 mg of Ramipril, but having immense problems with coughing, catching my breathe. I would litterally be awake all night, hacking and coughing. I was coughing up white stuff every other 10 min.

My glands were swollen, my head hurt, my ribs (front and back) ached, all my muscles in my sides hurt. I was exhausted....just no sleep at all.

My cough and spitting up and wretching were taking up most of my time. I had to keep my chest on a higher level than my lungs. I was wheezing so badly and was hyperventilating. I did some "artistic work with my language", when I spoke to my Dr.s nurse, basically begging for an orange inhaler. I had been on on many years ago (H1N1) . It was Friday, and I knew I didn't want to end up in the EMERG!!!

I discontiuned my preccription of Ramipril, and slowly but surely I'm feeling SO much better. I can't afford "sick time" like that when it's not because of illness, but side effects from a med. I am taking a couple, in their eighties, to appointments, shopping, etc. so I can't afford to be lying on my sofa, coughing and horking into the bucket beside me.

If you would like my opinion on the medication "Ramipril", it would most definitely not be favourable. I thought the coughing spasms would never stop. It honestly lasted for 1-2 hrs. Hard to imaginne, but I was just happy when ever I got a good breathe.

If it wasn't for this site, I would never have known what the hell was going on with me. I hunted, and sleuthed for about 10 straight....found this site,.....saw my drug name....read the bad side effects....and STOPPED that med immediately!!

I took my last

Ramipril on Feb. 23 and as of today, March 31st, I am breathing well, still coughing every few hours, but survice!! lol

I was on Ramipril and had a cough but it was a dry cough,it could be something to do with the horrid cough

that is going about at the moment and is called the "100 day cough". and I have it had it and still got the

remenants of it and I have coughed white stuff up and when layed in bed it sounds like the death rattle in

throat, you think the cough has gone and then then its back again , i have had it for 8 weeks now. I am not on any blood pressure medication now so I know its not that, hope this helps!

Hi there - thanks to all for posting - I would never had thought that the Ramipril could have caused this horrendous cough that I had. I really appreciated reading everyone else's experiences and that helped me sort the problem out. I persuaded my doc to change my meds and a week and a half later - it has pretty much disappeared. But I had the most horrible and embarrassing tickly cough that used to trigger my vomit reflex - it was that bad.Hopefully, it will disappear now!

I had exactly the same symtoms so my GP changed me to a different med, cough vanised and stable blood pressure ever since on the new meds. sounds like it's a common side affect.

I have had a cough for nearly 12 months, constantly needing to clear my throat to speak and then more recently started to have to blow my nose all the time. Doctors said silent reflux and put me on Lanzaprozole. One doctor even said that it was stress related and basically I was causing it myself. Have been at my wits end as it has affected my working life as every time I attend meetings I worry that I am going to either have a coughing fit or have to ahemm! all the way through. After months of taking Lanzoprazole and trying to control my stress trying every anti allergy drug, nasal sprays and mucas tablets,I gave up and today went back to my to my GP practice and saw a doctor I have never seen before. He listened to my story, read through my notes and then told me to stop taking Ramipiril as he was fairly confident that my problems were a direct result of taking ramipiril. I am now on Losartan and keeping my fingers crossed that it will change things for me. I never even considered that this was caused by Ramipril as had been taking it for at least 3 months before my problems started.

So almost a year later I may have finally found the answer but was surprised that other doctors hadn't made the connection, especially since when I went to get my prescription filled, the chemist mentioned that I didn't normally have Losartan and I told him I had been switched from Ramipril. He said Oh really why did it give you a cough? maybe I should just go see the chemist in future :-)