How long have angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors been in use?

Captopril was the first of a new class of oral antihypertensive agents called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.^1,2 It was approved for the treatment of hypertension by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1981.

There are currently several ACE inhibitors available in the US^3-13:

^References

1. Cushman DW, Ondetti MA. History of the design of captopril and related inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme. Hypertension 1991; 17 (4): 589-592.
2. Smith CG, Vane JR. The discovery of captopril. FASEB J 2003; 17 (8): 788-789.
3. Prinivil [package insert]. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.; 2016.
4. Trandolapril [package insert]. Laurelton, NY: Epic Pharma, LLC; 2017.
5. Fosinopril sodium [package insert]. Miami, FL: Ciplo USA Inc; 2015.
6. Moexipril hydrochloride [package insert]. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc; 2016.
7. Aceon [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: Abbot Laboratories; 2011.
8. Altace [package insert]. New York, NY: Pfizer Laboratories; 2017.
9. Lotensin [package insert]. Parsippany, NJ: Validus Pharmaceuticals LLC; 2014.
10. Vasotec [package insert]. Bridgewater, NJ: Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC; 2015.
11. Zestril [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP 2014.
12. Capoten [package insert]. Spring Valley, NY: Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc.; 2012.
13. Accupril [package insert]. New York, NY: Parke Davis, Pfizer; 2017.