Zestril---How are you treating your high blood pressure?

I've seen a lot of ads for this hypertension medication. So what is it?

It's generic name is lisinopril. I actually take this medication, so before taking it I did extensive research to understand how it is manipulating my body. Here's what I know.

Lisinopril is in a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors, ACE being angiotensin converting enzyme. Angiotensin is a peptide that exerts it's function in the kidney through a system called angiotensin-renin loop. Basically, this system is the body's way of controlling smooth muscle relaxation within blood vessels. Angiotensin is converted to angiotensin II in the kidney which then acts on blood vessels to constrict. When the blood vessels are constricted, it's harder for blood to be pumped through, thus raising blood pressure. These drugs stop the converstion of ANG to ANG II, thus allowing relaxation of the vessels.


The following is a list of the ACE inhibitors that are available in the United States:

captopril (Capoten), benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) fosinopril (Monopril), ramipril (Altace), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), moexipril (Univasc), and trandolapril (Mavik). These drugs have few drug interactions and are well tolerated (few side effects).