ACE Inhibitors Initial Dosage Regimens

ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors inhibit the activity of the enzyme ACE that decreases the production of angiotensin II. ^{[1, 2, 3]}

Benazepril (dose adjustment required in renal impairment)

• Hypertension (with diuretic): 5 mg PO once daily

• Hypertension (without diuretic): 10 mg PO once daily

Captopril (dose adjustment required in renal impairment)

• Hypertension (with or without diuretic): 25 mg PO BID/TID

• Congestive heart failure (CHF) (with diuretic and digitalis): 6.25-12.5 mg PO TID

• Diabetic nephropathy: 25 mg PO TID

Enalapril (dose adjustment required in renal impairment)

• Hypertension (with diuretic): 2.5 mg PO once daily

• Hypertension (without diuretic): 5 mg PO once daily

• CHF: 2.5 mg PO once daily or q12hr

Fosinopril

• Hypertension (with or without diuretic): 10 mg PO once daily

• CHF: 10 mg PO once daily

Lisinopril (dose adjustment required in renal impairment)

• Hypertension (with diuretic): 5 mg PO once daily

• Hypertension (without diuretic): 10 mg PO once daily

• CHF: 2.5-5 mg PO once daily

Moexipril (dose adjustment required in renal impairment)

• Hypertension (with diuretic): 3.75 mg PO once daily

• Hypertension (without diuretic): 7.5 mg PO once daily

Perindopril (dose adjustment required in renal impairment)

• Hypertension (without diuretic): 4 mg PO once daily; consider dose reduction if coadministered with diuretic

Quinapril (dose adjustment required in renal impairment)

• Hypertension (with diuretic): 5 mg PO once daily

• Hypertension (without diuretics): 10-20 mg PO once daily

• CHF: 5 mg PO BID

Ramipril (dose adjustment required in renal impairment)

• Hypertension (with diuretic): 1.25 mg PO once daily

• Hypertension (without diuretic): 2.5 mg PO once daily

• CHF after MI: 2.5 mg PO BID

Trandolapril (dose adjustment required in renal impairment and hepatic cirrhosis)

• Hypertension (with diuretic): 0.5 mg PO once daily

• Hypertension (without diuretic): 1 mg PO once daily (nonblack), 2 mg PO once daily (black)

Possible side effects

• Cough  
• Weakness
• Increased potassium levels  
• Rash  
• Kidney failure (rare)