Master ACE Inhibitor Toxicity with Picmonic for Medicine

ACE inhibitors may cause a persistant dry cough, associated with the increased levels of bradykinin seen in patients.

These drugs are a leading cause of drug-induced angioedema, frequently due to increased bradykinin levels. This is seen especially in patients with genetic predisposition to degrade bradykinin more slowly.

ACE inhibitors may cause hyperkalemia, as decreased angiotensin also leads to decreased aldosterone. Aldosterone promotes excretion of potassium, so its inhibition leads to greater retention of these ions.

A possible toxicity includes taste abnormalities, associated with the sulfhydryl group found in ACE inhibitors. This side effect is more commonly seen with high doses of captopril.

Patients may experience hypotension, causing weakness, syncope or dizziness. Risk of these side effects may be minimized with a very low initial dose.

ACE inhibitors may pose significant risks throughout all stages of pregnancy, especially if exposure occurs during the first trimester. Anomalies include stillbirths, fetal renal damage and congenital malformations.

Rash may be seen with high doses of captopril, and is associated with the sulfhydryl group found in ACE inhibitors. Decreasing the maximum dose have made sulfhydryl-related complications less common.

Increased renin concentrations in the blood may occur due to negative feedback of angiotensin I to angiotensin II conversion.

These drugs inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme, which is responsible for the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.