Ace vs. Arb within layman language please...?

Wanted to ask doctor to change to an Ace (am on an Arb now for high blood pressure only) -- be on beta blocker but because of beginning of COPD - taken off of that. Walmart has $4 prescriptions for Ace but not for Arb. Is here a reason I could not be placed on an Ace to reduce blood pressure and what could be the reasons. I'm not sure I appreciate the difference between the two medications. Again, layman terms please - not a medical dictionary explanation. Thank you.
Answers:    ACE inhibitors are known to hold a side effect in some people of dry hacking cough - which surrounded by your case may be a problem. ARBs essentially do the same thing, except minus the cough. As you can imagine the ARBs came along later and consequently are still on patent (no yet generic for the most part) and therefore will not be on the $4 inventory. You could try an ACE. It will take a couple of months before you realize the side effect.
pe this helps. Source(s): Medical provider
Just to give some thoughts on the coughing side effect of ACE inhibitors. If you want to try that, it is ok. But my concern is that you mentioned you just start having COPD, which may give you a cough also. So it may be difficult to distinguish the motivation of your cough if you have COPD and take ACE inhibitors at the mean time. And your doctor may not know whether he should stop your ACE inhibitor or to increase your COPD treatment.


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