medical IDs for ACE inhibitors

Medical IDs for ACE Inhibitors

The confidence to live with ACE inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, commonly called ACE inhibitors or ACE-I, are one of the most widely used drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure. ACE inhibitors can also be used to protect the kidneys and for other conditions. While ACE inhibitors are relatively safe, they can still cause unexpected or dangerous reactions—especially if they are taken with other prescription medications or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.

Wearing a medical ID for ACE inhibitors can help protect you from these adverse reactions in an emergency by letting emergency responders know that you are taking medication for high blood pressure.

How MedicAlert protects those living with the ACE inhibitors

One thing you shouldn’t worry about is what could happen if there’s an emergency. MedicAlert’s protection plans offer benefits that extend beyond the ID, providing safety and peace of mind for people living with the ACE inhibitors, their families and caregivers.

24/7 Emergency Response

Our team provides first responders the information they need to provide fast, accurate care.

Digital Health Profile

All your vital information, all in one place for you and your caregiver.

Emergency Contact Notification

In an emergency, we connect families so that no one is alone in a crisis.

Patient Instructions

Share the information that’s important to your care, such as use of rescue medications or contraindication for tests like MRIs.

Pair a medical ID for ACE inhibitors with the protection plan that’s right for you.

What exactly are ACE inhibitors?

ACE inhibitors are a class of drugs that reduce the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). These drugs also break down bradykinin—a molecule that plays a crucial role in regulating inflammatory processes, blood pressure, and vascular permeability (keeping the circulatory system open in order to supply nutrients to the body’s tissues and clear waste).

Angiotensin is a hormone found in the body and ACE is part of the body’s blood pressure control process. ACE inhibitors work by blocking ACE from converting angiotensin I into angiotensin II. Angiotensin II raises blood pressure, which can lead to heart attack or stroke, heart failure, kidney failure, and other medical problems. 

In 2019, around 27% of Medicare Part D beneficiaries (12.9 million people) were prescribed an ACE inhibitor. Today, more than 49 million U.S. adults take medications to treat hypertension. Of these, about 83% (41 million people) take an ACE inhibitor or ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker or angiotensin II receptor antagonist). 

ACE inhibitor use is so common that 10 ACE inhibitor drugs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as of 2021. They include: 

  • Benazepril (brand name Lotensin)
  • Captopril (band name Capoten)
  • Enalapril (brand name Vasotec)
  • Fosinopril (brand name Monopril)
  • Lisinopril (brand names Prinivil and Zestril)
  • Moexipril (generic only)
  • Perindopril (brand names Aceon and Coversyl)
  • Quinapril (brand name Accupril)
  • Ramipril (brand name Altace)
  • Trandolapril (brand name Mavik)

Captopril became the first FDA approved ACE inhibitor in 1981. The second, enalapril, hit the market in 1985. While all ACE inhibitors are taken orally (by the mouth), enalapril can be administered directly to the bloodstream through a needle or tube inserted into a vein (intravenous or IV). 

For which conditions are ACE inhibitors prescribed?

ACE inhibitors were originally developed for the treatment of high blood pressure. Today, ACE inhibitors are also used to treat a number of diseases and conditions including:

  • Atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup)
  • Heart attack
  • Heart failure
  • Kidney failure in people with diabetes

ACE inhibitors are also used to prevent heart attack and stroke in high-risk individuals, and they can also treat a number of kidney diseases in people who don’t have diabetes. Examples include:

  • Glomerular disease (problems with the kidney’s filtration system)
  • Nephrotic syndrome (kidney damage or its symptoms)
  • Post-transplant glomerulonephritis (filtration issues and kidney inflammation)
  • Proteinuria (too much protein in the urine)

What to engrave on your MedicAlert medical ID for ACE inhibitors:

MedicAlert offers free custom engraving on all our medical ID products. Engravings on medical IDs for ACE inhibitors should include any critical medical information that can protect and save lives in an accident or medical emergency, for example:

  • Taking ACE inhibitors
  • Current medical condition
  • Emergency contact information
medical IDs for ACE inhibitors

Sample engraving. Consult our team if you need help engraving your medical ID for ACE inhibitors.

What are the advantages of ACE inhibitors?

Through extensive scientific research and studies, ACE inhibitors have been proven to be safe and effective, making them first-line medications for treating high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions. ACE inhibitors are also effective at improving survival after a heart attack, lowering the risk of diabetes, slowing eye disease in people with diabetes, and preventing migraines. 

While ACE inhibitors may interact negatively with certain drugs, they often combine well with other blood-pressure controlling medications.  Medical IDs for ACE inhibitors can help keep track of drug interactions during stressful medical situations. 

What are the potential side effects from ACE inhibitors?

ACE inhibitors are usually well tolerated, but side effects can occur. When side effects do occur, they are often minor. Common side effects for ACE inhibitors include:

  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry Cough
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Hyperkalemia
  • Weakness

Hyperkalemia means that you have too much potassium in your blood. While the body’s nerves and muscles need potassium to function, too much potassium can damage your heart, causing shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain, vomiting, or nausea. 

Less common ACE inhibitor side effects include decreased ability to taste, or a noticeable metallic taste in the mouth, rash, and upset stomach or nausea.

Although rare, severe side effects can occur while taking ACE inhibitors and they all require immediate medical attention. Severe side effects include angioedema and jaundice.

Angioedema is an allergic reaction that can cause hives and swelling of the face, eyes, lips, mouth, tongue, throat, hands, feet, or legs. Angioedema can be life-threatening if the swelling occurs in the mouth or throat.

Jaundice causes yellowing of the sclera (white part of the eye) and skin. This can be a sign of serious liver problems. 

How should you manage the use of ACE inhibitors?

If you are taking ACE inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin (Bayer) may cause an adverse reaction. Talk to your doctor before taking any NSAID while you are on ACE inhibitors. 

Contraindications

Other medications that may interact with ACE inhibitors include those that affect your potassium or sodium levels, certain ARBs, and medications that affect your kidneys. 

If you have a history of angioedema or any past allergic reactions to ACE inhibitors, you should not take ACE inhibitors. People living with severe kidney disease or renal artery stenosis (narrowing of one or more arteries that carry blood to the kidneys) should not take ACE inhibitors. Because ACE inhibitors can cause birth defects or fetal death, women who are pregnant should not take ACE inhibitors. Some ACE inhibitors may be safe while breastfeeding, but the decision to take these medications while breastfeeding are up to the mother and her doctor. 

How medical IDs  for ACE inhibitors combined with MedicAlert  Membership provide peace of mind

If you are taking ACE inhibitors, a MedicAlert medical ID can help keep you safe in a medical emergency or other medical situations. Add a MedicAlert protection plan, and you will gain an additional layer of protection that can help alert emergency responders and ER doctors of your condition and current medications. A medical ID for ACE inhibitors combined with a protection plan can connect emergency responders with your designated physician, and it can even help streamline the check-in process for your regular doctor visits.

  • We’re your voice:  If you can’t speak for yourself due to a medical emergency, your ID will speak for you – informing others about your ACE inhibitors and any other medications you’re taking.
  • 24/7 emergency protection:  In an emergency, the MedicAlert team will relay all of your critical medical information to first responders, no matter where or when your emergency happens.
  • Always connected:  You should never be alone in an emergency. That’s why MedicAlert will reach out to your designated contacts if you are unable to do so.
  • Live with peace of mind and confidence:  MedicAlert will be there for you every step of the way. You’ll have the confidence and freedom to live your life with ACE inhibitors, knowing we’ve got you covered.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic; Mayo Clinic; MedlinePlus; National Library of Medicine; Penn Medicine News; SpringerLink; University Education Services at University of Copenhagen
DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information in this article is presented for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis and treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.