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Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Uses for ACE inhibitors
Doctors prescribe ACE inhibitors to prevent, treat or improve symptoms in conditions such as:
- High blood pressure
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart failure
- Diabetes
- Certain chronic kidney diseases
- Heart attacks
- Scleroderma
- Migraines
Your doctor may prescribe other medications in addition to an ACE inhibitor, such as a diuretic, as part of your high blood pressure treatment. ACE inhibitors are usually taken once daily, and many people take them in the morning.
Side effects and cautions
Doctors commonly prescribe ACE inhibitors because they don't often cause side effects. The most common side effect is a dry cough.
Possible, although rare, side effects include:
- Increased blood-potassium level (hyperkalemia)
- Rash
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Changes in taste
- Reduced appetite over long intervals
In rare cases — but more commonly in blacks and in smokers — ACE inhibitors can cause some areas of your tissues to swell (angioedema). If it occurs in the throat, that swelling can be life-threatening.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, others) decrease the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors. While taking an occasional dose of these medications shouldn't change the effectiveness of your ACE inhibitor, talk to your doctor if you regularly take NSAIDs.
Because ACE inhibitors can cause birth defects, don't take them if you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
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- Colucci WS. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and receptor blockers in heart failure: Mechanisms of action. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index. Accessed Nov. 13, 2008.
- Chobanian AV, et al. The seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. New England Journal of Medicine. 2003;289:2560.
- Initial antihypertensive therapy: Drugdex Consults. Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com/. Accessed Nov. 12, 2008.
- Blood pressure-lowering drugs. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=159. Accessed Nov. 12, 2008.
- Sheps SG, ed. Mayo Clinic 5 Steps to Controlling High Blood Pressure. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2008:189.
