Millions of Britons taking blood pressure medication could be battling a painful, dry cough they assume is a chest infection, a leading doctor has warned.
NHS GP and resident ITV medic Dr Amir Khan said a dry cough and swollen ankles could be caused by taking ramipril and amlodipine.
Between seven and nine million adults in the UK take medication to treat high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
And ramipril and amlodipine – which work by widening the blood vessels, allowing blood to pump through the body – are among the most commonly prescribed.
However, Dr Khan believes people may be ‘suffering in silence’ or even ditching the drugs altogether due to their side effects.
Speaking to Lorraine Kelly on ITV, he said ramipril can trigger the release of a substance named bradykinin in the body, which ‘can irritate your airways and cause a dry cough’.
This, he warned, often makes patients seek the help of medics – who may prescribe patients antibiotics and send them for X-rays where ‘nothing gets found’.
Dr Khan also said people taking amlodipine may be at risk of fluid leakage into the ankle as a result of the blood vessels opening up.
NHS GP and resident ITV medic Dr Amir Khan said a dry cough and swollen ankles could be symptoms of taking ramipril and amlodipine
He warned that this could cause swollen ankles – also known as oedema – which is an established potential side effect of the drugs.
He added: ‘If you’re suffering with swollen ankles and a dry, irritating cough, it could be your blood pressure tablets. Speak to your doctor. [There are] plenty of alternatives.’
Despite the warnings, Dr Khan hailed the drugs as ‘life-saving’ on an Instagram post.
The NHS also say that ramipril helps to ‘prevent future strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems’.
And they add that amlodipine can reduce the risk of worsening angina – the term for pain or tightness in the chest.
The drugs do come with a range of other side effects, however, that patients need to be aware of.
Around one in 100 people taking ramipril suffer with common symptoms on top of a dry cough.
These include feelings of dizziness or headaches, diarrhoea, vomiting and a skin rash.
More serious side effects can also be triggered by ramipril such as the yellowing of the eyes or skin or appearing paler than usual.
While feeling faint and dizzy can be common symptoms, they can also be the sign of something more concerning.
Ramipril and amlodipine are among the most commonly prescribed blood pressure tablets
Bleeding and bruising more easily as well as suffering more infections than usual are among the potentially dangerous complications, as can having severe stomach pain.
Having swollen ankles or blood in the urine while taking the drugs can also be the signs of kidney problems, according to the NHS.
And in rare cases, the drugs may trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
The health service says: ‘Like all medicines, ramipril can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones.
‘Side effects often improve as your body gets used to the medicine.’
Ramipril has been in short supply for most of the year, and health chiefs recently warned that patients will be limited to one month’s supply at a time until October 30.
Those taking amlodipine should also be aware of side effects such as palpitations and redness in the face or neck – known as flushing.
Anyone who feels dizzy or tired while taking the drugs are urged not to drive, ride a bike, or use machinery while the symptoms are ongoing.
More serious complications from taking amlodipine include anaphylaxis, as well as the painful swelling of the pancreas – known as acute pancreatitis – and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, the name for a serious skin reaction.
The NHS says that in ‘very rare’ cases, the drugs can lead to heart attacks.
Patients with concerns should always discuss them with a healthcare professional.
