Which drug class is commonly associated with a dry cough?

Which drug class is commonly associated with a dry cough?

• A. ACE inhibitors
• B. ARBs
• C. Beta blockers
• D. Calcium channel blockers

Answer: (A)

ACE inhibitors commonly cause a dry cough because they block the enzyme that degrades bradykinin. With ACE inhibited, bradykinin accumulates in the airways and irritates sensory nerves, producing a nonproductive cough that often appears within weeks of starting therapy and may persist until the drug is stopped. ARBs, which do not affect bradykinin levels, are much less likely to cause this cough, while the other drug classes listed do not share this bradykinin-mediated mechanism. Stopping the ACE inhibitor typically resolves the cough.

ACE inhibitors commonly cause a dry cough because they block the enzyme that degrades bradykinin. With ACE inhibited, bradykinin accumulates in the airways and irritates sensory nerves, producing a nonproductive cough that often appears within weeks of starting therapy and may persist until the drug is stopped. ARBs, which do not affect bradykinin levels, are much less likely to cause this cough, while the other drug classes listed do not share this bradykinin-mediated mechanism. Stopping the ACE inhibitor typically resolves the cough.