Pill triggered cough from hell

Q. My insurance company refused the blood pressure drug my doctor prescribed (Hyzaar) and had me take lisinopril instead. After one month, I got a cough from hell!

I’ve had allergies, so my doctor and I thought nothing of the cough. Two months later, I couldn’t lie down to sleep without gagging.

Despite three trips to the doctor, prescriptions for antibiotics, bottles of cough syrup and bags of Halls cough drops, nothing helped. Thinking I had TB or cancer, I got a chest X-ray and was ready to see a specialist.

Then the nurse suggested my symptoms might be caused by lisinopril. I was changed to Benicar and am slowly getting over the cough.

A. It astonishes us how many people are not warned about cough due to lisinopril or other ACE inhibitors (benazepril, enalapril, quinapril, ramipril). Up to one-third of patients taking such blood- pressure medications may experience chronic cough (Chest supplement, January 2006).

Benicar, like Avapro, Cozaar, Diovan and Hyzaar, is a different kind of blood-pressure medicine and is far less likely to cause a persistent cough. We are sending you our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment with more information about such medications and nondrug approaches to hypertension. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. B-67, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. Should I be concerned about the dangers of triclosan found in liquid soap, toothpaste and my lipstick? One of the members of our Special Needs Children group brought in an article about it. Many of us were shocked.

We all admitted to going through gallons of antibacterial hand soap in a year. I wash my hands with it at least 25 or 30 times a day and have for years.

Some of the side effects were birth defects and thyroid problems, and we have both in our house. What can you tell us about this?

A. Given how widespread triclosan is, we can’t tell you enough. This antibacterial ingredient is found in cleaning supplies, deodorants, liquid soaps, toothpaste, shaving cream and mouthwash. Research in rodents and many species of aquatic animals demonstrates that triclosan disrupts hormones and may cause developmental changes. Studies linking it to thyroid problems have been done in mice and frogs.

The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization, has summarized information about triclosan toxicity on its Web site (www.ewg.org). There is evidence that triclosan from personal-care products gets into our bodies and contaminates streams and rivers. Despite environmental concerns, there is no definitive proof that triclosan harms humans.

Washing with ordinary soap and water is just as good as washing with antibacterial soap, according to researchers at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. If you need a hand sanitizer, an alcohol-based product such as Purell should pose no risk.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of The Vindicator, or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Favorite Foods From The People’s Pharmacy: Mother Nature’s Medicine.”

2010 King Features Syndicate Inc.