The James Esparza Law Firm
Product Liability Lawyers
Salt Lake City, Utah
ACE Inhibitors - We Handle Cases throughout the U.S.!
ACE inhibitors (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors) that have been prescribed to pregnant women are now being linked to birth defects in their children. In fact, children whose mothers have taken ACE inhibitors during their pregnancy are more than twice as likely to develop serious heart and brain defects.
In the past, pregnant women were warned of the harmful side effects of ACE inhibitors, but were still allowed to take the drugs. New studies are now showing, that even if the drug is taken during that first trimester, it can still have devastating effects on the child inside them.
In addition to birth defects in children whose mothers took ACE inhibitors, other serious side effects include:
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Nausea
- Bleeding
- Numbness
ACE inhibitors are given to people who are suffering from heart failure because the low blood pressure allows the heart to pump blood easier. High blood pressure can also lead to kidney failure in people with diabetes. ACE inhibitors are usually prescribed to people suffering from:
- Hypertension
- Prior Heart Attacks
- Heart Failure
- Diabetes
- Ventricular Dysfunction
- Cardiovascular Disorders
ACE inhibitors are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the country. Yearly, there are over 42 million prescriptions given to patients suffering from high blood pressure and other medical problems. Some of the most common ACE inhibitors prescribed are:
- Capoten (captopril)
- Vasotec (enalapril)
- Lotensin (benazepril)
- Aceon (perindopril)
- Mavik (trandolapril)
- Altace (ramipril)
- Monopril (fosinopril)
- Univasc (moexipril)
ACE inhibitors slow, or inhibit, the enzyme that produces Angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a chemical produced by enzymes within each person's body. Angiotensin II causes muscles around blood vessels to contract.
For people with high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart failure, the effects of Angiotensin II can be very dangerous. ACE inhibitors allow blood vessels to dilate and lower blood pressure.
If you live in Salt Lake City or anywhere in the U.S. and took an ACE inhibitor during your pregnancy, and your child suffered a birth defect, please contact the attorneys at The James Esparza Law Firm in Salt Lake City, Utah today to schedule your consultation.
