ACE inhibitors are a common type of blood pressure drug (antihypertensive) that may be used to treat chronic high blood pressure and other conditions. ACE inhibitors work by inhibiting hormones in the body that cause blood vessel contractions, and medications in the class of ACE inhibitors include the following:
- Benazepril (Lotensin)
- Captopril (Capoten)
- Enalapril / Enalaprilat (Vasotec)
- Fosinopril (Monopril)
- Lisinopril (Zestril and Prinivil)
- Moexipril (Univasc)
- Perindopril (Aceon)
- Quinapril (Accupril)
- Ramipril (Altace)
- Trandolapril (Mavik)
If you are currently taking an ACE inhibitor but are planning a pregnancy, it's a good move to talk to a doctor before you conceive. ACE inhibitors are considered category C in the first trimester and category D for use during the second and third trimesters, meaning there is definite risk that they can cause harm to the baby. Specifically, ACE inhibitors appear to increase the risk of birth defects affecting the baby's kidneys. Your doctor will probably want you to take a different drug while you are trying to conceive and for the duration of your pregnancy.
If you are already pregnant, don't stop taking your medication until your physician says to do so. Do, however, let your doctor know about the pregnancy right away so that he or she can review your treatment plan.
Source:
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACE inhibitor) Drugs and Pregnancy. FDA Public Health Advisory. Accessed: Aug 2, 2009. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PublicHealthAdvisories/ucm053113.htm
