A widely prescribed medication in the UK, lisinopril, used primarily to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, may cause a persistent dry cough lasting up to two months or longer, according to Dr. Suraj Kukadia, also known as Dr. Sooj on TikTok.
Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, a class of drugs that helps relax blood vessels, reducing the heart’s workload and improving blood flow. It is also frequently prescribed after heart attacks to help prevent further cardiovascular events. Despite its widespread use and benefits, Dr. Kukadia warns of a notable side effect—a dry cough—which affects approximately one in 100 people.
On social media, Dr. Kukadia explained that while many patients tolerate this side effect and see it resolve within one to two months, others may find the cough unbearable and long-lasting as long as they remain on the medication. The NHS confirms this cough is a common side effect and notes that typical cough remedies are generally ineffective for lisinopril-related coughs. Often, the cough gradually improves on its own, but sometimes it can persist.
READ MORE: Cotswold Wildlife Park Named UK’s Best Zoo for Second Consecutive Year
READ MORE: Father Brown’s Claudie Blakley Unrecognisable in Iconic Hollywood Role
Patients who experience disruptive coughing should consult their doctors, as alternative medications with similar blood pressure-lowering effects may be available. Dr. Kukadia emphasizes that ACE inhibitors like lisinopril are often first-line treatments because they not only control blood pressure but also offer kidney protection, especially important for patients with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or hypertension.
Other side effects of lisinopril exist, and anyone experiencing severe symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.