Use of baclofen to suppress cough induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether baclofen can suppress the cough induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.


METHODS
Prospective, open-label, clinical trial of a 4-week course of low-dose oral baclofen (5 mg tid days 1-7, 10 mg tid days 8-28).


METHODS
Seven patients with severe, persistent ACE inhibitor-induced cough.


METHODS
University-affiliated teaching hospital.


METHODS
Study participants kept daily diaries monitoring the frequency of cough during and after completion of baclofen therapy.


RESULTS
All subjects demonstrated diminution of cough after initiation of baclofen. Initial improvement was noted by a mean of 4.0 days (range 3-6), and maximal improvement during treatment was achieved by a mean of 10.7 days (range 5-15). In addition, all subjects demonstrated persistent suppression of cough (range 25-74 d) after discontinuation of the study drug.


CONCLUSIONS
Low-dose oral baclofen therapy caused a prolonged antitussive effect in all subjects without inducing any adverse reactions. Baclofen may offer an alternative to the discontinuation of ACE inhibitor therapy in patients for whom these drugs are required.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
P V
PV
Dicpinigaitis
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001418:Baclofen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D018755:GABA Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D018755:GABA Agonists; D001418:Baclofen