When a cough sticks around for more than eight weeks, it’s not just annoying—it’s a signal. This chronic cough, a persistent cough lasting eight weeks or longer, often tied to underlying medical conditions or medication side effects. Also known as persistent cough, it’s not something you should ignore, especially if it’s linked to drugs you’re already taking. Many people assume it’s just a lingering cold, but more often, it’s caused by something deeper: asthma, acid reflux, or even the very pills you’re using to treat other problems.
One of the most common but overlooked triggers is ACE inhibitors, a class of blood pressure medications that can cause a dry, hacking cough in up to 20% of users. If you started coughing after beginning lisinopril or enalapril, that’s not a coincidence. Switching to a different type of blood pressure med often fixes it. Then there’s COPD medications to avoid, certain drugs that thicken mucus or suppress breathing, making coughs worse. Beta-blockers and some antihistamines can turn a mild cough into a daily struggle. Even NSAID safety, how these painkillers affect your lungs and airways over time. matters—long-term use can trigger inflammation that lingers as coughing.
And don’t forget antihistamines, commonly used for allergies, but some types dry out your throat and make mucus stickier, worsening coughs. If you’re taking Benadryl daily for allergies, you might be feeding the cough instead of calming it. Non-drowsy options like Clarinex are often better choices. Meanwhile, medication side effects, the hidden reactions that don’t show up on drug labels. are often blamed on everything but the real culprit. A cough could be your body telling you a drug isn’t right for you.
What you’ll find below isn’t just a list of articles—it’s a practical map. We’ve pulled together real-world insights from people who’ve lived through this, pharmacists who’ve seen the patterns, and studies that cut through the noise. You’ll learn which drugs to question, how to talk to your doctor about switching meds, and why some "safe" OTC remedies might be making things worse. No fluff. Just clear, direct help for when your cough won’t quit.
Chronic cough lasting over 8 weeks is most often caused by GERD, asthma, or postnasal drip. Learn the step-by-step diagnostic approach backed by current guidelines to find the real cause and get relief.
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