[Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition: side effects and risks].

Adverse effects of converting enzyme inhibitors are either substance-specific (neutropenia, proteinuria, skin rashes, taste disturbances) or due to the converting enzyme inhibition (hypotension, functional renal insufficiency, hyperkalemia, cough, angioedema). They are rare nowadays because of better knowledge of the pharmacokinetics and -dynamics of the converting enzyme inhibitors, resulting in lower dosage, and because of identifying patients at high risk. The dosage must be adjusted according to renal function, in order to prevent accumulation and toxicity. In addition to patients with renal insufficiency, patients at high risk are those with a stimulated renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, i.e. patients with renovascular hypertension or heart failure. Patients with collagen vascular disease, for example, systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma, should not be considered for long-term therapy with converting enzyme inhibitors because of the increased risk of neutropenia. Life-threatening angioedema may develop, mainly during the first few hours after drug administration.