Common Ace Inhibitors With Snake Venom

Common ace inhibitors include:

captopril (brand names include Acepril, Acezide, Capoten, Capozide, Capozide LS)

cilazapril (brand names include Vascase)

enalapril (brand names include Enalapril, Innovace, Innozide)

fosinopril (brand names include Fosinopril, Staril)

imidapril (brand names include Tanatril)

lisinopril (brand names include Carace, Carace Plus, Lisinopril, Zestoretic, Zestril)

moexipril (brand names include Perdix)

perindopril (brand names include Coversyl, Coversyl Plus)

quinapril (brand names include Accupro, Accuretic)

ramipril (brand names include Lopace, Ramipril, Triapin, Triapin Mite, Tritace)

trandolapril (brand names include Gopten, Tarka)

ACE inhibitors are a frequently used class of drugs in heart medicine, used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, and often prescribed following a heart attack. One common example is ramipril.

But did you know that the active ingredient in the first ACE inhibitor, captopril, was originally derived from snake venom? Launched in 1981, captopril was based on an ingredient of the venom of the poisonous Brazilian Viper (Bothrops Jararaca).

Nobel Prize winner John Vane initially tested peptides from the venom on dog lungs, finding that they were able to block the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme, from here Vane tentatively proposed an ACE inhibitor research programme to what is now Bristol Myers Squibb. Many revisions, tests and trials later, in 1975 captopril was born.

Captopril is rarely prescribed today but is still licensed for use in high blood pressure, heart failure and even kidney disease caused by diabetes. It was the first effective oral ACE inhibitor and its legacy of subsequent developments in this drug group has helped to manage the blood pressures of millions of people.