Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and cough.

The relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and the development of cough was studied in 80 patients. Cough developed in 25 (31%). Seventeen patients had detailed respiratory investigations of whom 12 developed a new cough. Five of the 12 patients had a remission on placebo and recurrence on rechallenge. Cough does occur with ACE inhibitors but there are other possible causes of cough such as asthma, bronchitis, smoking and heart failure. The true incidence of new cough with ACE inhibitors is uncertain at present.