Nasty Cough Two Days After Starting Cefalexin

[bravejordy]

I started taking CEFALEXIN 250MG (ONE capsule FOUR times a day for SEVEN days) five days ago (for a Urinary Tract Infection) but within two days of taking them I'd developed a nasty wheezy cough, especially at bedtime. Could the two be related? There is nothing listed in the side effects about a cough, and as I'm almost through the course I'd prefer to finish it.

I'm male, 58 years old with, among other things, type 2 diabetes and my regular meds are as follows:-


METFORMIN 500MG - TWO to be taken TWICE a day

EPILIM 200MG - One tablet THREE times a day

RAMIPRIL 5MG - ONE capsule a day

RAMIPRIL 2.5MG - ONE capsule a day

LIPITOR (ATORVASTATIN) 10MG - ONE tablet DAILY

CO-CODAMOL 8/500MG - ONE tablet THREE times a day


I feel it fair to add I did have a night time cough a few months ago, which wasn't as bad, but the weird thing was although it was really bad during the night, there was no trace of it during the day! My doctor examined me and couldn't find any problems, not even the slightest wheeziness. Then again, on that occasion it wasn't my regular GP and the one I saw (whom I'd never ever see again) was too lazy to get up from her chair to examine me! She told me to lift my shirt and when I went to stand up she told me to remain seated while she examined me. Ever tried taking a deep breath when you're sitting down and scrunched up like Quasimodo?! Her only comment was that she thought it might have been asthma but she couldn't hear any wheezing. But I digress...


The thing is, if this latest cough is just a side effect caused by the CEFALEXIN, will it go away once I've finished the course?
I'm in two minds whether to make an appointment to see my GP but if there's a chance it will be gone in a couple of days, I can't see the point.

As always, any help with this would be greatly appreciated. :)

[GetOverIt]

I am on Ramipril too, and have a nasty cough which is a well known side effect of THAT drug. How long have tou been Ramipril, and could that be the culprit?

[bravejordy]

I've been on Ramipril for about four years now, and like I said, this cough seemed to start shortly after starting the course of Cefalexin.

[GetOverIt]

Perhaps there is some interaction between the drugs? My dry cough is extremely annoying, and I keep meaning to go back to the doctors and change meds, but never do! Good luck and I hope if it is the antibiotics, the cough will stop after the course is finished.

[bravejordy]

Thanks GOI, Yes, I too thought maybe there is some kind of interaction between the drugs. Thankfully I only have to take these antibiotics for a week and there's only two days left (but the days seem to be dragging!) :(

[Sqad]

I can see no connection between the side effects of Cefelexin or and drug interaction.I agree with getoverit about the BP tablets, but again you have been on the tablets for so long and I doubt a connection.

I must say that I agree with your doctor.....it could be asthma.

Finish your course of antibiotics and monitor the situation.

[Eve.]

Is it possible there is any kind of allergen around where you are sleeping which could contribute to just feeling wheezy at night if it's only say if you're in bed?

[bravejordy]

Thanks for the replies. Oh dear, Sqad, I hope it doesn't turn out to be asthma (yet another ailment to add to my ever-growing list. Soon, I'll be needing a wheelbarrow to pick up my monthly prescription from the chemist!) Seriously though, if this cough and wheezy chest doesn't clear up by Monday I'll make an appointment to see my GP.

Hi Jenna, it seems to happen whether I'm sleeping in my bed or having forty winks on the sofa but I haven't ruled out the possibility of it being some kind of allergen. I have carpets in both the living room and bedrooms so maybe I'd benefit from changing to laminated wood flooring. Also, something I should've mentioned in my OP is I'm a non-smoker.

Thanks again, everyone :)