Fosinopril: an overview.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are an effective, well-tolerated option for management of mild-to-moderate hypertension. An increase of nearly 250% in prescriptions between 1986 and 1990 testifies to the growing importance of this drug class. With the development of newer ACE inhibitors, the debate on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences and the clinical relevance of such differences has also been growing in importance. It is in this context that the clinical data on fosinopril will be reviewed. Fosinopril has several intriguing features, among them a unique chemical structure and elimination profile. In addition, preliminary data on cardiac effects and on risk for cough are provocative and support further study. The antihypertensive efficacy of fosinopril is comparable to other ACE inhibitors. Thus, fosinopril represents an interesting and useful addition to this antihypertensive class.