Diovan / Cough?

[Tom]

I was taking benazapril,and lisinopril.Ideveloped a horrible cough. My Doctor changed it to metaprolol and altace. Same thing,except add wheezing especially at night.My cardiologist changed the altace to diovan,leaving the metaprolol,and I am still coughing,wheezing,and now coughing up phlegm as well. I have had a clear chest xray,and allergy tests which only responded to dust. So now I am making sure my residence is as dust free as possible.

This been going on for seven months and insomnia occurs frequently.

Well if anyone relates to this or has any answers please let me know.

coughing and sleepless.

[adr]

There were 5 reports of "cough" as an adverse reaction to Diovan reported to the FDA between April and June, 2007.

Source: www.adverse-drug-reaction.

*You can use the above website to search for the other reactions reported as well.

[Helen]

I do not know how long I have been on Diovan. At first it started at about 5 in the morning, it felt like I had phlem, but none came up and then I started with a cough and some phlem came up. Have a cough during the day sometimes, but usually between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. It sounds like whooping cough.

[PPF CONNECTICUT]

I began taking Diovan 160 12.5 HCT since 2000.
About 6 Months ago I developed an unusual rash on the lower portion of my legs, ringing in my ears, excessive amounts of gas. Around the begining of December 2007 I ended up with Nausea which I went to the Emergency Room for because I thought it might be heart related. After several tests including an Angiogram it was determined it was not heart related. The nausea eventually went away. They thought that it might be gastric related possibly acid reflux. I ended up with what appeared to be a case of the flu which I went to an immediate care center and they put me on Zithromax. At the same time I developed a cough which I assume which I assumed was the aftermath of the flu. After finishing the Zithromax I went to my Primary Care Physician who put me on Doxycycline for 30 days. After 2 weeks I decided I should see an Ear/Nose/Throat Specialist who put me on Avelox for 2 weeks. Neither antibotic proved to be beneficial in eliminating the cough. I was now coughing continuously from the moment I woke up in the morning by 2:00PM I was exhausted. I went back to my Primary Care Physician and told him the Ear/Nose/Throat Specialist thought it might be Diovan or Acid Reflux. He was convinced it was not the Diovan. He put me on medication for Acid Reflux as well as inhalers. After 2 weeks I went to a Pulmonologist who immediately confirmed it was the Diovan. He has had several patients with the same symptoms. I immediately dicontinued Diovan and improved dramatically (80%).
I have now been off Diovan for 11 days and have began to regain my lung capacity as well as physical fitness which 2 months of coughing had a significant impact on. In addition I have found I have had no desire for sex which has also improved. I hope this information is a value to you.

[L Crawford]

Brenda Alberta Canada wrote:

I have developed a consistant and terrible cough, so intense that I will actually vomit. I wake four or five times a night with coughing fits. I was on Lisinopril and Dr. switched me to Diovan. No change in the cough. I can not keep going like this. Anyone experience the same and seen improvement with different med. please let me know.
Thanks so much.

I am taking 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar a day and it seems to keep the cough under control. Just mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drink the mixture 3 times a day.

[Melanie]

I have the same thing . I need help too. any suggestions?

[Peter]

Melanie wrote:

I have the same thing . I need help too. any suggestions?

Get off the diovan before it kills you. It took me6 weeks to get rid of the horrendous cough, etc. It's a dangerous drug.

[Cathy]

Wow! I just discovered this blog yesterday, sure wish I had seen it before. Except for the rash on the legs, I could have written the letter from PPF, Connecticut. I have been taking Diovan 80 for 6 years. In 2005 I had a choking gagging cough which last 3 months, ended up in the emergency. After several antibiotics I was told I had the 100 day whooping cough. In 2006 same thing, lasted over a month, ended up in Emergency again. I was sick on two occasions in 2007. This past Christmas Eve I was the sickest, started as flu like, coughing until vomiting, nauseated. The nausea went away but I am still coughing after three months. Had to cancell two trips, tried several antibiotics, inhalers, prescription cough medicines. It starts about 5:00 a.m., wake up coughing, wheezing. Chest xray and blood tests negative. I wondered if I had asthma. Last week I had a Pulmonary Function Test - didn't get results as yet.Had to wait several months to see a throat specialist. Yesterday I told my family physician something was terribly wrong, I am normally a healthy person who works out, but I have been out of puff for a few months. I was hoarse yesterday, he said that there was a slight possibility that it might be the Diovan - after three years he is telling mr this. Effective today I am OFF the Diovan - and after reading all the postings here I am cautiously optimistic. I will let you know what happens.

[PPF - CT]

Cathy wrote:

Wow! I just discovered this blog yesterday, sure wish I had seen it before. Except for the rash on the legs, I could have written the letter from PPF, Connecticut. I have been taking Diovan 80 for 6 years. In 2005 I had a choking gagging cough which last 3 months, ended up in the emergency. After several antibiotics I was told I had the 100 day whooping cough. In 2006 same thing, lasted over a month, ended up in Emergency again. I was sick on two occasions in 2007. This past Christmas Eve I was the sickest, started as flu like, coughing until vomiting, nauseated. The nausea went away but I am still coughing after three months. Had to cancell two trips, tried several antibiotics, inhalers, prescription cough medicines. It starts about 5:00 a.m., wake up coughing, wheezing. Chest xray and blood tests negative. I wondered if I had asthma. Last week I had a Pulmonary Function Test - didn't get results as yet.Had to wait several months to see a throat specialist. Yesterday I told my family physician something was terribly wrong, I am normally a healthy person who works out, but I have been out of puff for a few months. I was hoarse yesterday, he said that there was a slight possibility that it might be the Diovan - after three years he is telling mr this. Effective today I am OFF the Diovan - and after reading all the postings here I am cautiously optimistic. I will let you know what happens.

As an addendum to my post -- I had to see a surgeon today. All the coughing I did gave me a hernia which I am having operated on next Friday! I never realized how bad I felt until I see how good I feel now. The diovan was killing me. I hope this helps more people like you whose Drs. don't want to admit it's the diovan. Keep me posted.

[Cathy Calgary Canad]

PPT in Stamford, hope your surgery goes well.

[Cathy Calgary Canada]

Follow up to my post March 19/08. I have been off Diovan for a little over two weeks now and I am on cloud nine - my choking cough is completely gone - I have my life back. I had my last choking attack (as I refer to them ) the day after I went off the diovan. I also decided (on my own) to quit taking the prevacid and the Symbicort Turbuhaler the same time. The Pulmonary Function Test did not determine anything - I was coughing so much they could not get accurate readings. When I went back to the doctor I told him that I had quit the prevacid as well. I told him that the pharmacist told me that the number one reason that people quit taking this drug was because of the extreme chronic coughing and that nothing could stop the coughing unless you go off the diovan. He listened intently and then said that maybe I was the one in a million who got the extreme adverse effect from diovan. After what I have read I don't believe that I am one in a million. For everyone who posted here I thank you so much, you are helping a lot of people like me. Remember I was on the diovan for a few yesrs before I got the coughing, but when I did I got really sick. I realize now that I took a lot of prescription drugs that I never needed. The drugs were killing me. I am now back at aerobics and inline skating and yes I am 62 and diovan free forever.

[Kibopa]

Thanks everyone here. I had a pesistent dry cough since February - started Diovan 80 first of April. The cough becam "productive," with greatly increased severity, plus wheeezing and gagging. In science, coincidence does not imply causality .. so I saw an allergist. Some allergy tests were positive, but so uninteresting as to be irrelevant. Then saw Pulmonmologist. Pulmonatry CAT Scan showed the lungs of an athlete. Thanks to what I've read here, the co-incidence of starting Diovan and suffering a minor cough become debilitating (hell, I'm not even horny!) sure looks familiar. I'm off of Diovan as of right now.

It's Monday. I'll report in.

Thanks again people!

[Carol Hendrick]

Brenda Alberta Canada wrote:

I have developed a consistant and terrible cough, so intense that I will actually vomit. I wake four or five times a night with coughing fits. I was on Lisinopril and Dr. switched me to Diovan. No change in the cough. I can not keep going like this. Anyone experience the same and seen improvement with different med. please let me know.
Thanks so much.

Carol Hendrick, AZ. Yes, Yes, I have had the same medicines -Diovan on 4 days and same results even sinus problems worse. Can't sleep for cough all night.Today just started taking it of a morning to see if that helps any???

[Ralph]

carolyn wrote:

<quoted text>
I am taking lisinopril and cough all the time. How long did it take for the cough to go away after you stop taking the lisinopril.

Does anyone know how long it does take to 'flush out of my system'??

[maryl]

Ralph wrote:

<quoted text>
Does anyone know how long it does take to 'flush out of my system'??

I will let you know. I just stopped Lisinopril today. The coughing and sore throat just got to me. Am beginning diovan 80mg. tonight. Here's hoping it suits me better

[Marilyn]

Ralph wrote:

<quoted text>
Does anyone know how long it does take to 'flush out of my system'??

I took that awful lisinopril and coughed constantly for 6 months. Got switched to Diovan for the past 18 months and am now suffering with the tingles, numbness, itching and worst of all my face and lips have swollen to 3 times their size. I give up!!!!

[Anne]

I too was lisonopril...coughing now for 4weeks. I had the doctor change me to Diovan. Still coughing and do not know how long this will last. I am awake most of the night with 2 to 3 hours sleep. This is my 3rd day on Diovan, not sure if this is still the cough from LISONPRIL LEFT OVER OR NOW HAVE COUGH FROM DIOVAN THAT WILL JUST CONTINUE. i AM DESPERATE FOR SLEEP AND PEACE OF MIND ONCE AGAIN. i LOST 10 POUNDS IN THE LAST 8 WEEKS DUE TO CUTTING DOWN ON CALORIES. I AM HOPING TO BE ABLE TO GET OF BP MEDS. I HAVE ALREADY TRIED 5 OR 6 DIFFERENT MEDS. WHAT A NIGHTMARE...ANY HELPFUL MED SUGGESTIONS IF SOMEONE GOT RID OF COUGH LET ME KNOW PLEASE..THANKS AND GOD BLESS US ALL.

[Anne]

Does anyone know how long it takes for the cough to GO AWAY IF YOU GET OFF DIOVAN??
THANKS AGAIN..GOD BLESS US ALL

[Diovan vs Lisinopril]

Wanted to get a bld press med from the Walmart $4 list. It was Lisinoporil a few weeks before my whirlwind of a lifetime trip to St. Maarten. My trip was a nightmare. I coughed through the whole cruise. I coughed in the cab, in the airport, in the restaurant. Was so embarrasing. I wish someone had told me of the "ace-inhibitor" that I found out LATER which had a wicked side effect of a dry, hacking cough. Back on Diovan HCT. It costs me $100 a month. But, for me, I guess it's worth it.

[Cough Gone 2 Wks]

Oh, yeah. And once I got off of the Lisinopril and my doctor changed me back to Diovan HCT, my cough went away in about 2 weeks. Yeah, 2 weeks and a 3 dr's visits/ $600 later (only to find out it was the change tot the Lisinopril in the first place).