A drug that inhibits ACE (angiotensin conv erting enzyme)
which is important to the formation of angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes arteries
in the body to constrict and thereby raises the blood pressure. ACE inhibitors lower
the blood pressure by inhibiting the formation of angiotensin II. This relaxes the
arteries. Relaxing the arteries not only lowers blood pressure, but also improves
the pumping efficiency of a failing heart and improves cardiac output in patients
with heart failure. ACE inhibitors are therefore used for
blood pressure control
and
congestive heart failure
.
The currently available ACA inhibitors include:
benazepril (brand name: LOTENSIN),
captopril (brand name: CAPOTEN),
lisinopril (brand names: ZESTRIL and PRINIVIL),
quinapril (brand name: ACCUPRIL), and
ramipril (brand name: ALTACE).
ACE inhibitors may slow the progress of diabetic kidney disease in middle-aged
persons with type 2 diabetes. Some (but not all) experts have therefore recommended
giving ACE inhibitors to all middle-aged type 2 diabetics. (Reference: Annals of
Internal Medicine 1999;131:660-667, 707-708.)
Historically, it is interesting that the ACE inhibitors were originally developed
from the venom of a poisonous Brazilian snake.
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