What Causes Chronic Dry Cough?

Posted on Wed, 17 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 Answered on

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

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?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (1 hour later)

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (15 hours later)

But I have been on Metropolol for over ten years. Why the cough now?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (7 hours later)

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar