ACE INHIBITORS |
| CHEMICAL NAME | BRAND NAME(S) |
| BENAZEPRIL | LOTENSIN, *LOTENSIN HCT, LOTREL (in combination with AMLODIPINE) |
| CAPTOPRIL | CAPTOTEN, *CAPOZIDE |
| ENALAPRIL | VASOTEC, *VASERETIC, LEXXEL (in combination with FELODIPINE), TECZEM (in combination with DILTIAZEM) |
| FOSINOPRIL | MONOPRIL |
| LISINOPRIL | PRINIVIL, *PRINIZIDE, ZESTRIL, *ZESTORETIC |
| MOEXIPRIL | UNIVASC, *UNIRETIC |
| PERINDOPRIL | ACEON |
| QUINAPRIL | ACCUPRIL |
| RAMIPRIL | ALTACE |
| TRANDOLAPRIL | MAVIK, TARKA (in combination with VERAPAMIL) |
*These are in combination with a thiazide diuretic.
USES OF ACE INHIBITORS
TREATMENT OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
TREATMENT OF HEART FAILURE
PROLONGING SURVIVAL OF PATIENTS WHO HAVE HAD A HEART ATTACK
PREVENTING DEATHS, HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES IN PATIENTS WITH VASCULAR DISEASE AND IN DIABETICS WITH OTHER VASCULAR RISK FACTORS
PROLONGING SURVIVAL OF PATIENTS WITH WEAK HEART MUSCLE
HELPING LEAKING HEART VALVES
PRESERVING KIDNEY FUNCTION IN DIABETICS
ACE stands for Angiotensin Converting Enzyme. This enzyme in our bodies activates a hormone called angiotensin. Once activated, this causes blood vessels to constrict. This results in high blood pressure and a strain on the heart.
ACE inhibitors inhibit ACE and prevent the activation of angiotensin. This results in dilated blood vessels and a lower blood pressure. Even in people with normal blood pressure, blocking the activation of angiotensin and dilating blood vessels is effective for treatment of the other conditions listed above.
One side effect of these generally well tolerated agents is a persistant dry cough. If this happens, one can substitute one of the angiotensin blockers. These don't share this side effect but are similar in that they block the effects of angiotensin.
Paradoxically, even though ACE inhibitors preserve kidney function in diabetics, they may cause kidney function to worsen at time. They may also raise the level of potassium in the blood. Angiotensin blockers share these same side effects. If these side effects develop in someone with heart failure, the combination of nitrates and hydralazine is used instead.
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