Which medication category includes drugs like lisinopril and ramipril?

The correct answer is ACE inhibitors, which include medications such as lisinopril and ramipril. ACE inhibitors work by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which is crucial in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). This inhibition leads to a reduction in the production of angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. As a result, blood vessels relax and widen, leading to lowered blood pressure. Additionally, ACE inhibitors help decrease the workload on the heart and are often used in treating conditions such as hypertension and heart failure.

The effectiveness of lisinopril and ramipril in managing blood pressure and heart failure conditions makes their inclusion in the ACE inhibitor class significant in clinical pharmacology. Understanding how these medications function not only helps in recognizing their therapeutic roles but also in predicting their potential side effects, such as cough or angioedema, which are related to elevated bradykinin levels since ACE also breaks down bradykinin.