Lisinopril and opiate

I was put on Lisinopril about three months ago when other blood pressure med regimens weren't doing the job for me.

In any case, yes, about six weeks ago I started coughing, I thought it was part of a cold that I had at the time, so I was placed on Tussuinex, which contains an opiate called hydrocodone that is comparable to morphine. That stopped the cough and has been the only thing that can stop it. But I can't walk around in a narcotized state all the time.

I went back to the doctor today, reported the symptoms and was somewhat shocked to find out that the hacking cough is a very common side effect of lisinopril. "80 to 90% of all users," he said. So I am off the lisinopril and have been placed on a two-week trial of Benicar, which is a brand of olmesartan medoxomil. My doctor says it delivers the ACE inhibitor benefits of Lisinopril but without the cough. We shall see.

PS I believe Norvasc is about to go generic, so I think I'll be switching back to that when that happens. I was on Norvasc for three years with zero side effects.