Ace Inhibitors are a class of prescription drugs that are used to help patients lower their blood pressure and reduce hypertension.  Specifically, these drugs help prevent the narrowing of blood vessels in the body, as this narrowing effect is what increases pressure on the circulatory system as blood travels to and from the heart, which is the “hub” of the circulatory system. 

Although the early history of Ace Inhibitors was extremely encouraging, recent studies have shown problems and risks involved with taking these types of drugs.  This article will offer a brief history of Ace Inhibitors and explain why they have caused so much irreparable damage to so many patients. 

History of Ace Inhibitors

The first step in the development of ACE inhibitors was the discovery of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in 1956.  Although this discovery was not initially seen as profound, but additional research and advancement in the 1970’s led to the development of the first Ace Inhibitor, Captopril, in 1975.  Captopril was approved by the FDA in 1981.  

News and ultimately use of Ace Inhibitors began to spread through the medical community, and soon several companies began to develop their own brands of Ace Inhibitors to be marketed and sold all over the world.  They were seen as a safe and relatively risk-free option for treating high blood pressure.  However, problems soon arose.

Over the course of the 1990’s studies began to show that pregnant women who took Ace Inhibitors in their second and third trimesters were exposing their unborn children to the risk of serious birth defects that caused malformation of the heart and brain.  These effects were irreversible, and the FDA ultimately placed a “black box” warning on all Ace Inhibitors warning of these risks. 

In 2006, the New England Journal of Medicine published the results of a study that showed that these risks were also present for women who took Ace Inhibitors during their first trimester of pregnancy.  The same side effects were present, with the addition of fetal death. 

Overall, the history of Ace Inhibitors shows that although they came to market with promise, many people have suffered severe consequences as a result of taking them.  If you are one of these people, you need to contact an attorney immediately to make sure that your rights are both protected and enforced. 

Generic Names of Ace Inhibitors

Ace Inhibitors, like most drugs, came to market with several “brand names” of drugs that were labeled as such so that the pharmaceutical companies who developed them could market and sell them while building brand loyalty.  Over time, though alternatives became available, and as of now there are several generic names of Ace Inhibitors that can be found. 

A few examples of generic names of Ace Inhibitors include:

• Captopril
• Benazepril
• Enlapril
• Perindopril
• Quinapril
• Moexipril
• Trandolapril
• Fosinopril

In reality, the only difference between “brand names” and generic names of Ace Inhibitors is just that - the name.  The active ingredients in any of the examples are essentially the same, and the supposed benefits of using these drugs are equally similar. 

Ace Inhibitors are meant to help patients by curbing the narrowing process that occurs in blood vessels.  This narrowing causes a rise in blood pressure, and the consequences of high blood pressure include heart attacks and strokes. 

However, time and research uncovered serious problems that resulted from taking these drugs, most prevalently in pregnant women.  Studies have shown that pregnant women who took Ace Inhibitors greatly increased the risk of birth defects in their unborn children.  Specifically, these birth defects included malformation of the heart and brain, and even fetal death. 

If you have suffered as a result of taking Ace Inhibitors, whether they were brand name or generic, you have rights.  In order to protect and enforce these rights, you need to contact an attorney immediately.  If you wait too long, legal technicalities can prevent you from making your claim.

An experienced and skilled attorney will be able to guide you through the process of exacting justice, and he or she will know how to deal with the enormous corporations that typically market and sell these drugs.  They will also remove the stress involved with making yourself whole, so contact an attorney today. 

Pregnancy and Ace Inhibitors - What You Need to Know

General Information

Ace Inhibitors are a class of drugs that were developed, marketed and sold for their ability to help patients with high blood pressure.  Ace Inhibitors serve a physiological function, and their specific role is to help prevent the narrowing of blood vessels in the human body.  When blood vessels narrow, it increases blood pressure, as the circulatory system has less space to work with when transporting blood to and from the heart.  The long term effect of high blood pressure is often heart attacks and strokes. 

Problems Arise Between Pregnancy and Ace Inhibitors Usage 

However, despite their early promise, studies over time began to show an unreasonable amount of risk between women going through a pregnancy and Ace Inhibitors.  Specifically, these studies showed that pregnant women who took these drugs during their second and third trimesters of pregnancy tended to show a much higher rate of birth defects in their children.  These birth defects were of the most serious nature, and included serious malformation of the children’s heart and brain and even fetal death. 

In 2006, the New England Journal of Medicine published the results of a study that strengthened the ties between pregnancy and Ace Inhibitors.  This study of nearly 30,000 infants born in Tennessee between 1985 and 2000 showed a highly increased rate of risk of birth defects in children whose mothers took Ace Inhibitors during their first trimester of pregnancy.  The birth defects were essentially the same, and created the same level of irreversible harm. 

What Are My Options?

Fortunately, you are not without recourse.  If you have suffered damage or loss as a result of taking Ace Inhibitors while pregnant, you need to contact an attorney immediately.  An experienced and skilled attorney will understand your situation and will be able to guide you through the process of making yourself whole. 

What you should not do is attempt to take on a large pharmaceutical company alone.  These companies have teams of in-house attorneys who are hired and trained to limit or prevent the amount of liability these companies incur.  As a result, an attorney working for you will be able to cut through the red tape and stake your claim without delay. 

You owe it to yourself, your child and your loved ones to achieve justice, and all you need to do is contact an attorney.  He or she will handle the rest of the process for you, leaving you to concentrate on rebuilding your life.