ACE Inhibitor

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are a group of drugs used to treat hypertension, heart failure, and chronic kidney failure. Drugs have made the walls of the blood vessels to relax so that blood pressure can be decreased.

ACE inhibitors work by inhibiting an enzyme in the body to produce the hormone angiotensin II, a substance that can constrict blood vessels and increase the work of the heart. That way, the walls of blood vessels will widen and the work of the heart becomes lighter.

This medicine can also help reduce the amount of fluid that can be reabsorbed by the kidneys.

Some conditions and diseases that can be treated with ACE inhibitors are:

• Hypertension
• Coronary heart disease
• Heart failure
• Kidney problems due to diabetes
• Chronic kidney failure
• scleroderma
• Migraine

Precautions Before Using ACE Inhibitors

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

• Do not use ACE inhibitors if you are allergic to drugs in this class.
• Do not take ACE inhibitors if you are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen and naproxen, because they can decrease the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors if taken together.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver problems, and angioedema (swelling of the inner skin) or are on dialysis.
• Do not stop treatment suddenly without consulting your doctor first.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking other blood pressure-lowering drugs or are taking other herbal medicines, vitamins, or supplements.
• If you have an allergic drug reaction or overdose 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
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Dizzy
  
• Loss of taste
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Hyperkalemia
  
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Joint pain
• Faint

Check with your doctor if side effects occur as mentioned above. See your doctor right away if your symptoms get worse or if you have an allergic reaction to medication, such as an itchy rash, swelling of your eyelids and lips, or shortness of breath.

Type, Trademark, and Dosage of ACE Inhibitor

There are different types and brands of ACE inhibitors. The dose of ACE inhibitor given depends on the type and form of the drug, as well as the age and condition of the patient. Here are the details:

Benazepril

Trademark: -

Condition: Heart failure

• Adults: 2.5 mg, once daily. The maximum dose is 20 mg per day.

Condition: Hypertension

• Adults: 10 mg, once daily. The maintenance dose is 20–40 mg daily as a single dose or in 2 divided doses. Maximum dose: 80 mg per day.
• Children 6 years and over: 0.2 mg/kg, once daily. The maintenance dose is 0.6 mg/kg, once daily. Maximum dose: 40 mg/kgBW.

Captopril

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 .

Enalapril

Trademarks: Tenazide, Tenace, and Tenaten

Condition: Hypertension

• Adults: 2.5–5 mg, once daily. Maintenance dose 10–20 mg once daily. The dose can be increased to 40 mg.
• Children weighing 20–50 kg: 2.5 mg, once daily. The dose can be increased slowly to a maximum of 20 mg per day.
• Children weighing 50 kg: 5 mg, once daily. The dose can be increased to a maximum of 40 mg per day.

Condition: Heart failure

• Adults: 2.5 mg, once daily. The dose can be increased gradually up to 20 mg. Maximum dose: 40 mg per day in 2 divided doses.
• Elderly: 2.5 mg, once daily.

Fosinopril

Trademark: -

Condition: Heart failure

• Adults: 10 mg, once daily. The dose may be increased to a maximum of 40 mg, once daily.

Condition: Hypertension

• Adults: 10 mg, once daily. The first dose is given before bedtime to avoid a drastic drop in blood pressure.
  Maintenance dose: 10–40 mg, once daily.
• Children weighing ≥ 50 kg: 5–10 mg, once daily.

Lisinopril

Trademarks: 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 .

Perindopril

Trademarks: Bioprexum, Bioprexum Plus, Coveram and Cadoril

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

Ramipril

Trademarks: 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 .

Trandolapril

Trademark of trandolapril : Tarka

Condition:  Hypertension

• Adults: 5 mg, once daily. Maintenance dose 1–2 mg, once daily. The dose can be increased to 4 mg per day.

Condition: After a heart attack

• Adult: 0.5mg, once daily, started 3 days after attack. The maximum dose is 4 mg, once a day.