Since 2006, our blood pressure medication injury lawyers have been investigating the link between common blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors with certain severe birth defects.
What are ACE Inhibitors?
Angiotensin II is a very potent chemical that causes the muscles surrounding blood vessels to contract, thereby narrowing the vessels. The narrowing of the vessels increases the pressure within the vessels causing high blood pressure (hypertension). Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in the blood by the enzyme angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). ACE inhibitors are medications that slow (inhibit) the activity of the enzyme ACE, which decreases the production of angiotensin II. As a result, the blood vessels enlarge or dilate, and blood pressure is reduced. This lower blood pressure makes it easier for the heart to pump blood and can improve the function of a failing heart.
ACE inhibitors are marketed under the following names:
- benazepril (Lotensin),
- captopril (Capoten),
- enalapril (Vasotec),
- fosinopril (Monopril),
- lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril),
- moexipril (Univasc),
- perindopril(Aceon),
- quinapril (Accupril),
- ramipril (Altace), and
- trandolapril (Mavik).
ACE Inhibitors Linked to Birth Defects
In a study published in September 2006 in the New England Journal of Medicine, the study authors found that infants exposed to ACE inhibitors had more than double the risk of major birth defects.
Out of 29,507 infants whose TennCare records were examined for the study, 209 were exposed to ACE inhibitors in the first trimester only. When those babies were compared to the rest of the population, including babies exposed to other types of antihypertensive medications, they had more than double the risk of major birth defects, especially of the heart and central nervous system.
Contact an ACE Inhibitor Injury Lawyer Now!
If you suspect that your child’s birth defect is related to use of an ACE inhibitor, you may have valuable legal rights. Please fill out the form at the right for a free case review by a qualified ACE inhibitor injury lawyer.