ACE inhibitors conceptual question

[thecalccobra]

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How do ACE inhibitors cause dry cough? I know they increase Bradykinin levels and that Bradykinin is a vasodilator but how does that have anything to do with cough? Is it because Bradykinin also has a Histamine-like action and stimulates allergic reactions?

 

[RapplixGmed]

I don't think there is total agreement on the mechanism yet.

What is known is that it is not dose dependent; it is more likely in women, nonsmokers, and asians.

One of the hypotheses is that bradykinin sensitizes airway sensory nerves (free nerve endings) to stimulation.

http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v2/n7/abs/nm0796-814.html