Which drug class is known to cause a dry cough as a side effect?

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are known to cause a dry cough as a side effect due to the accumulation of bradykinin in the respiratory tract. ACE inhibitors work by blocking the enzyme that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a peptide that constricts blood vessels and elevates blood pressure. By inhibiting this enzyme, ACE inhibitors lead to vasodilation and a reduction in blood pressure. However, this inhibition also prevents the breakdown of bradykinin, which can accumulate and cause irritation in the lungs, resulting in a persistent dry cough.

The other drug classes listed do not typically cause this specific side effect. For instance, diuretics primarily influence fluid balance and blood pressure but do not directly affect bradykinin levels. Calcium channel blockers work by preventing calcium entry into cells of the heart and blood vessels, helping to decrease heart rate and relax blood vessels without causing cough. Beta blockers mainly reduce heart rate and are not associated with cough as a side effect. Thus, ACE inhibitors are distinctly recognized for their propensity to cause a dry cough due to their mechanism of action.