Which medication class can lead to cough as a side effect?

ACE inhibitors are known to commonly cause a cough as a side effect due to their mechanism of action. These medications work by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which plays a crucial role in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). By blocking this enzyme, ACE inhibitors decrease the production of angiotensin II, a peptide that causes vasoconstriction and leads to increased blood pressure.

While this reduction in angiotensin II is beneficial for controlling hypertension, it also results in an increase in the levels of bradykinin, a substance that can irritate the airways and cause a persistent, dry cough. This cough can be bothersome enough that some patients need to switch to alternative antihypertensive medications if it persists.

In contrast, the other classes mentioned typically do not have cough as a common side effect. Beta-blockers primarily reduce heart rate and contractility, alpha blockers work by relaxing blood vessels, and calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering cells of the heart and blood vessel walls, all of which have different side effect profiles unrelated to cough.