What Causes Heart Palpitations While Being On Medication For Cough?

Posted on Fri, 13 Mar 2015

Question: i am on blood pressure pills and have developed a cough from one of the pills the doctor said it was a side effect but lately i am having palatalization that kind of scare me i eat alot of cough drops from the coughing and was wondering if they might be related

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Anti-hypertensives & cough

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Out of anti-hypertensive drugs, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) e.g enalpril and Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) e.g losartan ,both can cause dry cough as side effects.
Unless you stop these drugs your cough will continue and cough drops will not help.
In place of these group of drugs you have to take drugs from some other class of anti-hypertensives e.g.calcium channel blockers (CCBs) or diuretic or beta blockers .
You need to discuss with your doctor.
Also many cough preparation contains bronchodilator/sympathomimetic like Terbutaline Sulfate which can cause palpitations.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad