ACE Inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are a group of drugs used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). They are also used to treat heart failure and kidney damage caused by diabetes or hypertension.

ACE inhibitor drugs work by inhibiting an enzyme needed to produce the hormone angiotensin II. This hormone can narrow blood vessels and increase blood pressure, making the heart work harder.

The reduction of angiotensin II hormone by ACE inhibitors will lower blood pressure and lighten the work of the heart. This drug can also help prevent or treat kidney damage by reducing pressure in the blood vessels of the kidneys.

ACE inhibitor drugs are also sometimes used to treat other conditions, such as coronary heart disease , heart attacks, scleroderma, and migraines .

Warnings Before Using ACE Inhibitors

ACE inhibitors should only be used with a doctor’s prescription. Follow your doctor’s advice and suggestions when undergoing treatment with ACE inhibitors. Before taking this medicine, you need to pay attention to the following:

• Do not use ACE inhibitors if you have an allergy to drugs in this class. Tell your doctor about your allergy history.
• Tell your doctor if you are already taking angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) blood pressure medication. These two medications should not be used together.
• Consult your doctor if you are going to take ACE inhibitors and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) together for a long time, because NSAIDs can reduce the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors .
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of angioedema, especially if there are symptoms of difficulty breathing or severe abdominal pain.
• Tell your doctor if you suffer from low blood pressure (hypotension), gout, or are undergoing regular dialysis.
• Do not stop treatment suddenly without first consulting your doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
• Use contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking an ACE inhibitor. If you become pregnant while taking an ACE inhibitor, stop taking the drug immediately and consult your doctor.
• Follow the check-up schedule prescribed by your doctor while taking ACE inhibitors , because regular blood tests may be necessary to monitor your condition.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking other blood pressure lowering medications or are taking herbal medicines, vitamins, or other supplements, to avoid drug interactions.
• If an allergic reaction to the drug or an overdose occurs after using an ACE inhibitor, see a doctor immediately.

Side Effects and Dangers of ACE Inhibitors

There are several side effects that can potentially arise from the use of ACE inhibitor drugs, including:

• Dry cough
• Hypotension
• Dizzy
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Weak
• Loss of sense of taste
• Tongue feels salty or has a metallic taste
• Rash
• Joint pain
• More sensitive to sunlight

See a doctor if the side effects do not improve or get worse. See a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to the drug or serious side effects, such as:

Types, Brands, and Dosages of ACE Inhibitors

Types and brands of ACE inhibitors vary. The dosage of ACE inhibitors will be determined by the doctor based on the type and form of the drug, as well as the age and condition of the patient. Here are the details:

1. Benazepril

Drug form: tablets

Trademark: –

To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the benazepril drug page.

2. Captopril

Drug form: tablets

Trademarks: Acepress, Acendril, Captopril, Dexacap, Etapril, Forten, Farmoten, Otoryl, Prix, Scantensin, Tensicap, Tensobon, and Vapril

To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the captopril drug page.

3. Enalapril

Drug form: tablets

Brand names: Tenazide, Tenace, and Tenaten

To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the enalapril drug page.

4. Fosinopril

Drug form: tablets

Trademark: –

To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the fosinopril drug page .

5. Lisinopril

Drug form: tablets

Brand names: Interpril  5, Inhitril, Lapril, Lipril 5, Lisinopril Dihydrate, Nopril, Noperten, Odace, Tensinop, and Tensiphar

To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the lisinopril drug page .

6. Perindopril

Drug form: tablets

Trademarks: Bioprexum, Bioprexum Plus, Coveram, and Cadoril

To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the perindopril drug page .

7. Ramipril

Drug form: tablets, caplets

Brand names: Cardace, Emerten, Hyperil, Ramipril, Tenapril, Triatec, and Vivace

To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the ramipril drug page .

8. Trandolapril

Drug form: tablets

Trademark: Tarka

To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the trandolapril drug page .

9. Quinapril

Drug form: tablets

Trademark: –

To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the quinapril drug page .

10. Moexipril

Drug form: tablets

Trademark: –

To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the moexipril drug page .

11. Imidapril

Drug form: tablets

Brand names: Imidapril Hydrochloride, Imidavell, Tanapress

To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the imidapril drug page.

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Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (2022). Check product. Enalapril.
Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (2022). Check product. Fosinopril.
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