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Type of Medication: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE Inhibitors)
Enalapril (Vasotec)
Captopril (Capoten)
Lisinopril (Zestril and Prinivil)
Benazepril (Lotensin)
Quinapril (Accupril)
Perindopril (Aceon)
Ramipril (Altace)
Trandolapril (Mavik)
Fosinopril (Monopril)
Moexipril (Univasc )

*A good way to spot an ACE inhibitor is by the ending –pril on the medication’s name.

How do ACE inhibitors work
ACE inhibitors are medications that act on the hormone system within your body. The most simple explanation is that these medications block the formation of a hormone called Angiotensin 2, that normally causes blood vessels to thin down and constrict. The blood vessels then relax when this hormone is blocked. Blocking this hormone lowers salt and water in the body as well, decreasing the amount of water running through the pipes so to speak.

Who uses ACE inhibitors
ACE inhibitors are a class of medications most commonly used to treat high blood pressure. However, these medications also are used for heart failure (to decrease how hard the heart has to work), diabetes (to prevent kidney disease), heart disease, those patients who have had strokes and in patients with kidney disease.
Avoid the use of these medications in patients with secondary hypertension (high blood pressure from kidney disease and in pregnancy. A very common side effect from this medication is the development of a dry cough. Patients taking any of these medications that develop a cough should consult with their doctor and see if switching medications would help their symptoms.

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