Can blood pressure medicine (Hyzaar) cause a persistant coughing?

Diana R Virgilio,

Thanks for your question.

Hyzaar is a combination of Cozaar (valsarten) and hydrochlorthiazide.  The Cozaar is an Angiotensin II blocking drug that is used in the treatment of high blood pressure, and the hydrochlorthiazide is a diuretic that works with the hyzaar to get the pressure down.

Angiotensin II blocking drugs are kind of a second generation to ACE (Angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors, which had a common side effect of dry cough.  Though rare, a dry cough can still occur with the use of drugs such as Hyzaar.  It is the cozaar portion of the drug that could cause this and not the diuretic part.

I hope this has has been helpful.

Martin Cane, M.D.