Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been available for more than a decade for clinical use to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure (CHI). An intravenous agent, enalaprilat, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in hypertension, and ten oral agents—benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, and trandolapril—are approved and available in the United States. Spirapril has also been approved by the FDA for the treatment of hypertension; however, this agent has not been marketed by the pharmaceutical industry at press time. All ACE Inhibitors are similar in their effects, differing principally in their pharmacokinetics and approved indications.