ACE inhibitors: List, side effects, and more (original) (raw)

Doctors often prescribe angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to treat high blood pressure, or hypertension, and other cardiovascular conditions. Benazepril (Lotensin) is one example.

This article outlines the different ACE inhibitors that are available. We also discuss the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors, along with their potential side effects and risks.

ACE inhibitors prevent the body from making the hormone Angiotensin II. Ordinarily, this hormone narrows the blood vessels, which causes an increase in blood pressure and forces the heart to work harder.

By inhibiting the production of Angiotensin II, ACE inhibitors keep the blood vessels open. This reduces blood pressure and lowers the risk of complications associated with hypertension.

Most people take ACE inhibitors orally, but some may administer the drug intravenously.

On April 22, 2022, Pfizer issued a voluntary recall of 5 lots of the drug Accupril due to the presence of nitrosamine. Nitrosamine, a known carcinogen with the potential to cause cancer, was found to exist in the drug at levels greater than the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) as determined by the FDA. This recall is specific only to a handful of lot numbers and does not affect all Accupril tablets made by Pfizer. If you take Accupril tablets, talk with your pharmacist or doctor and they will help you determine if your medication has been impacted by the recall.

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Doctors may prescribe ACE inhibitors to people with cardiovascular conditions, heart problems, or kidney problems.

Doctors mainly prescribe ACE inhibitors to treat the following conditions:

A doctor may also prescribe ACE inhibitors to treat or improve some of the symptoms of diabetes and migraine.

Doctors consider some of these uses as off-label. Off-label means that the FDA have approved a drug for one condition, but doctors prescribe it to treat something different.

Most people who take ACE inhibitors do not experience side effects. When side effects do occur, they are usually minor.

A 2019 review of ACE inhibitors describes some of the more common side effects of ACE inhibitors. The table below outlines these side effects, along with how many people experience them.

Side effect Percentage of people affected
Dizziness 12–19%
Low blood pressure, or “hypotension“ 7–11%
Fainting 5–7%
Elevated levels of urea, nitrogen, and creatine in the blood (a possible sign of kidney problems) 2–11%
High potassium levels, or “hyperkalemia“ 2–6%

A separate 2019 review notes that around 1–10% of people who take ACE inhibitors may develop a dry cough. If a person cannot tolerate this cough, they should seek their doctor’s advice on whether to stop taking the medication.

Some people may develop more severe side effects when taking ACE inhibitors. Examples include kidney problems and allergies to the ACE inhibitor. Another severe side effect that can occur is angioedema, which is swelling, typically of the tongue and throat.

People who take ACE inhibitors should contact their doctor if they experience any side effects while on the medication. Anyone who has a swelling of the tongue or throat should call 911.

ACE inhibitors can help prolong the lives of people who have had heart attacks, and those who have received a diagnosis of heart failure.

These drugs can also help people who have high blood pressure due to kidney disease.

When treating high blood pressure, a doctor will often combine the ACE inhibitor with another antihypertensive medication to increase the effects of the drug.

Doctors have found that calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and thiazide diuretics can work well with ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure.

ACE inhibitors usually do not cause problems when a person takes them as directed.

However, pregnant women should not take ACE inhibitors due to a risk of harm to the fetus. These risks include:

People who have an allergy to ACE inhibitors should not take the medication.

People with the kidney condition bilateral renal artery stenosis (BRAS) should also avoid these drugs. BRAS is a narrowing of the blood vessels within the kidneys. ACE inhibitors can cause worsening kidney function in people with this condition.

People who are concerned about the potential risks of ACE inhibitors should talk to their doctor.

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A person’s age, overall health, and medical history may affect the medication they receive.

Beta-blockers and CCBs are two other medications that doctors commonly prescribe to treat heart problems and high blood pressure. Both drugs work differently to ACE inhibitors.

Beta-blockers prevent the release of stress hormones. This slows down the heartbeat, which, in turn, reduces the intensity of blood flow around the body.

CCBs prevent calcium from interacting with the body’s calcium receptors.

Ordinarily, calcium plays a role in contracting the muscles within the heart and blood vessel walls. CCBs block the movement of calcium into the blood vessel walls, causing these walls to relax. This reduces blood pressure and allows the heart to receive more oxygenated blood. By blocking calcium movement into the heart muscles, the heart contracts more slowly. This puts less stress on the heart.

The type of medication a person receives depends on several factors, including their:

ACE inhibitors are one of the more common medications used to lower blood pressure and treat cardiovascular health issues.

Most people who take ACE inhibitors do not experience side effects. When side effects do occur, they are generally mild.

However, ACE inhibitors are not suitable for everyone. Pregnant women, in particular, should not take these medications.

Doctors often prescribe ACE inhibitors alongside other antihypertensive medications. Combined drug treatments can be particularly useful in controlling high blood pressure.