Cough requiring discontinuance of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in an urban inner-city population.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are increasingly used to control hypertension although cough, sometimes severe enough to require discontinuance, is a well-described side effect of these drugs. Manufacturers' labeling indicates that this side effect occurs with a much lower frequency than is reported in the literature. This article describes the incidence of cough as a side effect of ACE inhibitors in a small inner-city practice and presents two reports of patients who required discontinuance of ACE inhibitors for this symptom. It is suggested that, consistent with the recent literature, the incidence of this symptom is more frequent than suggested by manufacturers' labeling, at least in this population.