ACE Inhibitors (cont.)
Annette (Gbemudu) Ogbru, PharmD, MBA
Dr. Gbemudu received her B.S. in Biochemistry from Nova Southeastern University, her PharmD degree from University of Maryland, and MBA degree from University of Baltimore. She completed a one year post-doctoral fellowship with Rutgers University and Bristol Myers Squibb.
In this Article
- What are ACE inhibitors and how do they work?
- For what conditions are ACE inhibitors used?
- Are there any differences among the different types of ACE inhibitors?
- What are the side effects of ACE inhibitors?
- With which drugs do ACE inhibitors interact?
- What are some examples of ACE inhibitors available?
With which drugs do ACE inhibitors interact?
ACE inhibitors have few important interactions with other drugs.
- Quinapril (Accupril) may reduce the absorption of tetracycline because quinapril
(Accupril) contains magnesium which binds to tetracycline in the intestine and
prevents its absorption.
- Combining potassium supplements, salt substitutes
(which often contain potassium), or other drugs that increase potassium levels
with ACE inhibitors may result in excessive blood potassium levels because ACE
inhibitors can further increase potassium to toxic levels.
- ACE inhibitors may
increase blood concentrations of lithium (Eskalith) and possibly increase side
effects of lithium.
- Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAIDs, for example, aspirin, ibuprofen, indomethacin (Indocin, Indocin IV), and naproxen (Naprosyn, Naprelan)] may reduce the blood pressure-lowering effects of ACE inhibitors.
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