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 | Are there any drug interactions with ACE inhibitors? |
|  Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are a class of drugs commonly prescribed for high blood pressure and heart failure. They also prevent heart damage following a heart attack and reduce the risk of kidney problems in people with diabetes. ACE inhibitors include benazepril (brand name Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil or (Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), perindopril (Aceon), and trandolapril (Mavik).ACE inhibitors can increase the amount of potassium in the blood. Potassium levels are also elevated when people take potassium supplements (K-Dur, Slow-K) or "potassium-sparing" diuretics such as triamterene (Dyrenium), amiloride (Midamor), and spironolactone (Aldactone). Taking ACE inhibitors along with these drugs can cause potassium to reach a high enough level to cause an irregular heartbeat. Your doctor can monitor your potassium levels with blood tests if you take potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics along with an ACE inhibitor.Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) can make ACE inhibitors less effective in lowering blood pressure. ACE inhibitors can also interact with lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith) and allopurinol (Xyloprim) to make side effects from these drugs more likely or more severe. Doctors often monitor people closely when they take ACE inhibitors along with these medicines.Sources:Applied Therapeutics: The Clinical Use of Drugs. Applied Therapeutics, 1995.Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2006.Hansten, P.D., J.R. Horn. Drug Interactions Analysis and Management. Applied Therapeutics, 1999.Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach. Appleton & Lange, 1999.This answer prepared 11/14/2000.This information updated 2/7/2007. |
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