title: Use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors as monotherapy and in combination with diuretics and calcium channel blockers.
abstract: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have earned an important place in medical therapy since their discovery about two decades ago. This family of drug has grown tremendously since the introduction of captopril in 1981. There are currently more than 14 ACE inhibitors in the world and 9 are available in the United States. Although these agents share many similarities, they differ in their pharmacokinetic properties, approved indications, and cost. This paper provides guidance for selection of ACE inhibitors by examining the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug interactions, adverse effects, and cost of these agents. Combination products of ACE inhibitors with either diuretics or calcium channel blockers also are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Frishman
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D018565:Food-Drug Interactions; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics