Fostair/Amlodipine cough

[Crayolaring]

Hello there, I’m wondering if anyone else has had this experience and what their solution was.

I’ve had asthma since childhood and last spring was diagnosed with high blood pressure. At about the same time I was moved from ventolin and clenil to fostair and also started ramipril (for hypertension). I developed an incredibly annoying cough and after several weeks asked to be moved.

Now I’m using fostair and, for hypertension, amlodipine - and for the last month or two have an annoying cough. It’s not as bad as the previous cough but still annoying. I worry about work phone calls in case I start coughing. In the past, pre-hypertension and fostair I would only have a cough like this after a cold or lung infection. Now it feels like it’s all the time. I also have a sensitive feeling at the back of my throat - possibly in a reflux type way.

Has this happened to you - and how did you sort it out? If not, any suggestions? Thank you!

[PaulineHM]

Hello,

When I first started antihypertensives Perindopril annoyingly increased my cough. The surgery pharmacist then split the meds into Losartan and Amlodipine which sorted it out.

I have never used Fostair for my Asthma/COPD

Can you ask for review ?

Go well

Pauline

[Crayolaring in reply to PaulineHM]

Thank you - I'll ask for a review.

[Ergendl]

Do you use a lot of antacid tablets like Rennies or Gaviscon? Reflux is a possibility, as many of us with lung problems have that too.

The first clue for my late husband Bob was that he always had a box of Rennies or similar in his pocket, and I'm sure severe reflux made his COPD worsen rapidly in his 60s.

[Crayolaring in reply to Ergendl]

I don't - I think it's very much at an early stage but I expect I will if it gets worse. I've never really realised the connection before. Thanks for your reply.

[Izb1]

I dont understand why they change inhalers when they are working . I would ask to go back onto your old inhalers and keep to the Amlodopine, if you still get the cough it maybe this that is causing the cough. I didn't get on well with Amlodopine as they made my feet swell up. I was recently put on Fostair Nexthaler but didn't do well with the powder. I am at the moment still trying out Luforbec which is a replacement for Fostair but still have an intermittent cough. We all react differently to medications and its difficult finding the right one for you, but don't give up x

[Crayolaring]

Thank you for your encouraging words. It is very dispiriting having this cough that never goes! But I think you're right about going back to the old inhalers. I'll try that as a first step, since I do still have some, and keep on with the Amlodipine (which thankfully hasn't made my feet swell, though I know that's a common thing to happen). If that doesn't work, I'll rethink! Thanks again

[AsthmaandLung Administrator]

Hi there, so sorry to hear you're struggling with an annoying cough. If you'd like to chat about this, and possible other medication you could discuss with your GP, please give us a call on 0300 222 5800 (select option 3 for the Clinical Team). We're open 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday.

We're always happy to chat. Best wishes, Helpline Team

[Crayolaring]

Thanks very much.

[peege]

I'm wondering if you use other medicines too - occasionally some meds don't work well together for ie Amlodipine and Atvorstatin don't work together. Always check all your medication leaflets (doctors and pharmacists don't always check when they prescribe. P

[Crayolaring]

Thank you. I don’t have any other medicines but good to think about checking leaflets.

[peege in reply to Crayolaring]

I'm a member on the high BP forum, I haven't noticed any post on coughing with Amlodipine although there are some queries on coughing when on Ramiplril (which I now take). Perhaps something else is been going on ie exacerbation or infection brewing? P

[Hidden]

Hi, when I was being treated for high blood pressure a few years ago, every type of vascular dilator or blood thinner that they gave me resulted in a persistent, scratchy cough that took months to settle & go away. In the end I switched to decaf drinks, cut out salt and lost a bit of weight which sorted the BP issues. Once I stopped those meds, the cough went away. It might be worth looking at what other measures could help with your BP to avoid or lower your dose of those meds. Good luck

[peege in reply to Hidden]

When diagnosed with high BP a good friend was told if she list 4lbs it would make a difference to BP. P

[Crayolaring in reply to Hidden]

That's interesting. My GP seems to think that my BP is high for genetic rather than weight reasons though so it's unlikely I would be able to stop taking them. I'm currently experimenting with the asthma side of things to see what happens when I revert to my old inhalers. That might give me an answer. But yes, it's just the type of cough that you describe. Thanks for your answer.

[Germantara]

It's very frustrating coughing like that I've got cough problem I have copd it runs you down so I know how you feel but don't know what the answer is

[Crayolaring]

thank you.

[music]

Hi, I was advised to try Relvar ellipta 92/22 about 4 years ago because diagnosed with COPD in 2013 and my GP thought I may have asthma because my breathing test was always mild to moderate so they tried me on this powder inhaler and my breathing and wheezing was so much better and still is after 4 years MUSIC

[Crayolaring in reply to music]

Thank you - I haven't heard of that one and I will look into it.