
What Causes Chronic Dry Cough?

Question: I have a chronic dry cough since Christmas. We ruled out GERD, asthma, COPD, my pulmonary function tests are pretty normal. The penetration of oxygen in the lungs to the blood is at 60%, but I am 70 years old. I never smoked. My IgE is not elevated. My blood tests did not show allergies, but my scratch tests years ago did. My Xray looks normal. My doctor told me to irrigate my sinuses with saline which I do twice a day. That helps a little but I still cough every night. My lungs sound clear to all three doctors whom I have tried. (Two pulmonologists and the second one I am keeping - she is my son's friend and fellow ship trained at the University of Washington) I do get ear aches off and on, could that have something to do with it? I do get easily dizzy, but then I also have HTN. I am on Metropolol 25 mg, Lozartan 100/12.5 and Citralopan 10 mg. I have been on those for years and only cough now. I am healthy otherwise. Normal weight and active. Any clue?
Brief Answer:
Side effect of Metoporolol
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query
I understand that you have dry cough since christmas and it has been extensively evaluated. You are taking Tab Metoprolol which is a beta blocker for hypertension, some studies have shown that metoprolol can cause dry cough in a few patients. I recommend that you switch over to a calcium channel blocker like amlodipine instead. I had a patient with similar complaints and he did improve after stopping metoprolol. Please approach your physician with my suggestion
Continue to use Saline to irrigate your sinuses
I hope I was of help
Regards
Side effect of Metoporolol
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query
I understand that you have dry cough since christmas and it has been extensively evaluated. You are taking Tab Metoprolol which is a beta blocker for hypertension, some studies have shown that metoprolol can cause dry cough in a few patients. I recommend that you switch over to a calcium channel blocker like amlodipine instead. I had a patient with similar complaints and he did improve after stopping metoprolol. Please approach your physician with my suggestion
Continue to use Saline to irrigate your sinuses
I hope I was of help
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar


But I have been on Metropolol for over ten years. Why the cough now?
Brief Answer:
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for getting back
As and when we age the body metabolism changes as well so we regularly see patients coming with side effects of a drug like after they have been on it.
Side effect of metoprolol is a strong possibility keeping in mind your doctors have ruled out everything else. No harm stopping it for a while and seeing if you improve
I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me
Regards
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for getting back
As and when we age the body metabolism changes as well so we regularly see patients coming with side effects of a drug like after they have been on it.
Side effect of metoprolol is a strong possibility keeping in mind your doctors have ruled out everything else. No harm stopping it for a while and seeing if you improve
I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

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