ACE inhibitor

American  

[eys, ey-see-ee] / eɪs, ˈeɪˈsiˈi /

noun

1. any of a group of vasodilators used in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure.

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ACE inhibitor British  

noun

1. any one of a class of drugs, including captopril, enalapril, and ramipril, that cause the arteries to widen by preventing the synthesis of angiotensin: used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure

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ACE inhibitor Scientific  

/ ās /

1. Short for angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. Any of a class of drugs that cause vasodilation by inactivating an enzyme that converts angiotensin I to the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II, used in the treatment of hypertension, congestive heart failure, and other cardiovascular disorders.

2. See also angiotensin

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Etymology

Origin of ACE inhibitor

First recorded in 1980–85; abbreviation of a(ngiotensin)-c(onverting) e(nzyme)

Example Sentences

When someone is taking an ACE inhibitor like benazepril, captopril, enalapril or lisinopril, extra potassium can become life-threatening.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 7, 2024

When his blood pressure didn’t budge, his internist added two other classes of drugs: a calcium channel blocker and an ACE inhibitor.

From Washington Post • Apr. 23, 2022

That puzzled several experts who looked at the results, including Dr. Frieden, who said the two anti-hypertension drugs used — a diuretic and an ACE inhibitor — should have significantly cut blood-pressure levels.

From New York Times • Aug. 22, 2019

"We found that LCZ696 was superior to the gold-standard ACE inhibitor for heart failure -- an ACE inhibitor being the absolute cornerstone of treatment for this problem," he said.

From US News • Aug. 30, 2014

This specific combination was designed, according to the authors, to avoid angioedema, a side effect which doomed a similar earlier drug, omapatrilat, which combined an ACE inhibitor and a neprilysin inhibitor.

From Forbes • Aug. 30, 2014