I have a physical coming up next week and need to discuss options for BP meds with the Dr. I would like to research options ahead of time, particularly given all the recalled meds.

My insurance is a PITA when it comes to anything that is not generic.

My problem is I need BP meds. Lisinopril made me cough almost immediately. Losartan gave me a dry cough that lasts all winter - something that repeats each year I have been on it.

Valsartan did not seem to affect me the same way, but recalls have basically eliminated it from being available, so back to Losartan which made me cough again. I think the HCTZ additions also affect me.

I'm not asking for medical advice or non-prescription alternatives like diet and exercise, which I already know. I am just curious which have worked without a cough for those like me that experience a long term dry cough when taking certain ones.

I'd like to look into things like costs, insurance coverage, what hoops I'd have to jump through if its non-generic, etc.

IMO, ignore any minor issues like a cough and work with your doctor to find the combination that best controls your blood pressure. Asking for advice here is silly because we all use differnt meds and have different degrees of BP issues.

I would second working with your doctor. There are many different drugs and ones that work in different ways to lower BP.

Talk to your doctor. See about trying a new one drug. If it doesn't work go back and try another. This may require you to go back to your doc a few times and keep track of your BP to see the effects of any new drug.

Working with my doctor is a given. I'm just trying to research options and narrow the field a bit.

I have the coughing issue because of my BP meds, too. I found the answer: Olive Leaf Complex. I take a tablespoon once a day, and the cough is gone. Also, it's good for you in many other ways as well. YMMV.

Bystolic is pretty clean as far as side effects go.

I think I went through about 15 different medications before we found the right combination with minimal side effects.

I think working with your Dr. to find the right combo for you is the only way to go.

OP: I don't take any of those you mentioned, but haven't had any coughing related to my own med list. Now & then my internist wants to change/improve meds, some of which will produce other symptoms such as a little nausea or mild dizziness. We have worked together to find the best solution. Good luck.

IMO, Amlodipine (Norvasc) give me the least side effects and I've been on it for many years.

I'm back on Lisinoprol.

Lozartan messed me up bad! gave me migraines, I couldn't focus, I often felt confused or couldn't follow conversations. My face felt as if someone slapped me.

I used to be on Atenolol (a beta blocker). It slows the heart rate down a bit but you have to be careful standing up too fast as you can get light headed. I didn't realize that it was making me really fatigued until I got off it.

Tony.

In a prior life (2001-2010), I was a pharmaceutical rep and dealt specifically with BP meds for a majority of those years. I knew the side effect issues backwards and forwards. I heard lots of stories from physicians about patients who often had to go from one drug to another to find the balance between a drug that worked and had side effects they could live with.

Good luck, PM me if you have basic questions that don’t require a medical degree to answer.

I had the coughing too with lisinopril with amlodipin. Switch the lisinopril with losartan and the coughing is gone. But I see you’ve done losartan.

Papaya and pineapple enzymes tablets from Trader Joe helped with the coughing along with Ricola. I ordered the enzymes tablet through Amazon

Valsartan

Chlorthalidone. Took it for 2-3 years with no cough or other side effects.

With some wight loss my BP is now in the normal range and I no longer need it.

I get valsartran with no issues...no coughs either

I take Bystolic and have no problems.

100mg Losartan no cough.

quote:

Originally posted by doublesharp:
100mg Losartan no cough.

Would love to be on one pill, I take 4 a day for BP.

quote:

Originally posted by Patriot:
I get valsartran with no issues...no coughs either

Happen to know the manufacturer?

quote:

Originally posted by GWbiker:
IMO, Amlodipine (Norvasc) give me the least side effects and I've been on it for many years.

Took amlodipine for few years. Started experiencing swelling of feet and ankles. After otheer tests negative went off amlodipine and swelling gone in short time. Did not reoccur.