Introduction to ACE inhibitors

ACE inhibitors are among the most widely prescribed cardiovascular medicines.

Examples of ACE inhibitors include (noted for their -pril suffix):

 Ramipril
 Lisinopril
 Perindopril

ACE inhibitors are used in the treatment of the following conditions:

 Hypertension – ACE inhibitors reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events,

such as heart attack and stroke. They may be used first or second-line, usually in
combination with another drug.
 Ischemic heart disease – as with hypertension, the purpose of ACE inhibitors is
to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
 Chronic heart failure – used for the symptomatic treatment of heart failure,
improving overall prognosis for the patient.
 Diabetic nephropathy – ACE inhibitors can be used to prevent nephropathy
from progressing in diabetic patients. They may also be used for chronic kidney
disease (with proteinuria) to reduce proteinuria levels.

ACE inhibitors are, then, an important class of cardiovascular medicines that play a
significant clinical role in hypertension, heart disease and kidney complications.

Mechanism of ACE inhibitors

How do ACE inhibitors work though?

The fundamental mechanism of ACE inhibitors pharmacology involves blocking the

effects of ACE – “angiotensin-converting enzyme”. The ACE enzyme is
predominantly found on the surface of pulmonary and renal epithelia.

This enzyme is responsible for converting angiotensin I (ATI) to angiotensin II (ATII).

Angiotensin I is itself produced from angiotensinogen, a globular protein released from
the liver in response to renin release from the kidney.

To summarize:

 Renin is released from the juxtaglomerular apparatus of the kidney in response

to electrolyte and/or water imbalances in the body:
 – Low sodium levels
– Low blood pressure
– Decreased blood volume

 Renin cleaves angiotensinogen into ATI.

 Angiotensin-converting enzyme turns ATI into ATII

Why is reducing angiotensin II levels important?

 ATII stimulates the release of aldosterone from the adrenal gland cortex.
 In turn, aldosterone promotes reabsorption of sodium and chloride
ions, increasing water retention. During this process, potassium is also
excreted.
 Vasoconstriction; increasing blood pressure.
 ADH secretion from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, promoting water
retention from the collecting duct.

ACE inhibitors, by preventing production of ATII, has the following four effects:

 Prevent aldosterone release from the adrenal cortex.

 Elimination of sodium ions (and increased water loss) from the kidneys.
 Potassium ions are retained.
 Consequent reduction in blood volume and blood pressure.

ACE inhibitors pharmacology is dependent upon the cessation in production of ATII to

reduce blood volume, blood pressure and halt diabetic nephropathy.

Side effects of ACE inhibitors

ACE inhibitors are associated with their own range of potential side effects:

 Hypotension – a notable consequence of its mechanism of action. Patients

typically experience worsened hypotension during the first dose, the effect
tapering off thereafter.
 Persistent, dry cough – attributable to the accumulation of kinins in the lung. If
the cough becomes too troublesome, the patient may be switched to an
angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) instead – examples include losartan and
candesartan.
 Hyperkalemia – as we learned from their mechanism, ACE inhibitors promote
retention of potassium ions. Patient potassium levels should be monitored.

Other potential side effects include headache, dizziness, fatigue and nausea.
Clinical considerations
When we talk about the clinical pharmacology of ACE inhibitors, we need to think about
the following factors:

 That ACE inhibitors should be used with caution in patients with renal
impairment. Examples of renal impairment include renal artery stenosis and
acute kidney injury.
 For chronic kidney disease lower doses should be used, and their effects
monitored closely.
 ACE inhibitors are classified as pregnancy category D, meaning there is a
positive evidence of risk.
 Due caution should be taken when prescribing ACE inhibitors with other
medicines that increase potassium levels – potassium supplements;
potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride and spironolactone.
 Due to first-dose hypotension, care should be taken when ACE inhibitors are co-
prescribed with other hypotensive-producing agents. To reduce risk, first-dose
is preferentially administered before bed.
 Risk of renal failure increases when ACE inhibitors are taken with NSAIDs.

ACE inhibitors can have a transformative impact on patients with hypertension, heart
disease and diabetic nephropathy. Their use continues to grow in an era where
cardiovascular disease and obesity become ever more prevalent.

https://pharmafactz.com/