So back when this all started there were stories about more serious illnesses possibly being a result of ACE Inhibitor usage. The consensus seemed to be "stay the course, we don't know".

This seems to have gone away. But with new demographic data and what I know about hypertension in some communities, could there be a link? Any new info out there?

SARS-CoV 2 binds to ACE-2. ACE inhibitors work on ACE-1. No reason for concern for crossover that I've seen. The ONLY thing I have seen thus far is that there is a POSSIBILITY that blocking ACE-1 might increase ACE-2 expression, but that is inconclusive. Everything else states stay on your regimen if it is working well.

Which one is Losartan? Are they both the same?

chigger said:

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Which one is Losartan? Are they both the same?

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It's technically an ARB, but for the purposes of this discussion it blocks ACE-1 so I'd consider it the same

So is one of the two "better" than the other? I was on Lisinopril but it gave me a cough.

chigger said:

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So is one of the two "better" than the other? I was on Lisinopril but it gave me a cough.

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The answer, for you, is Losartan.

A new study was released.

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.120.317134

People on ACE/ARBs had *way* better outcomes than those who did not.

I am on Benicar, is that an ACE or an ARB?

ARB

Snap E Tom said:

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A new study was released.

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.120.317134

People on ACE/ARBs had *way* better outcomes than those who did not.

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If that is the case I wonder what the issue in the French study was ?

chigger said:

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Snap E Tom said:

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A new study was released.

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.120.317134

People on ACE/ARBs had *way* better outcomes than those who did not.

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If that is the case I wonder what the issue in the French study was ?

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Was that even a study? I'm probably mixing it up, but I thought it was just a comment by some doctors warning against ACE inhibitors.

Snap E Tom said:

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A new study was released.

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.120.317134

People on ACE/ARBs had *way* better outcomes than those who did not.

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This is very good news and more in line with what we expected. I personally have not told anyone to get off their medications to this point as the data was inconclusive either way. This is the first trial I have seen designed for ACE/ARB use I appreciate you posting it. I have been looking and waiting for this type of study.

The French study was not designed to look at ACE/ARB's but an observation was made that patient's on ARB's had a worse outcome which was very worrisome since we were under the impression that could possibly help. However, the prospect of up-regulating of the ACE2 receptor was always a possibility that could enhance the virus ability to enter more cells.

Snap E Tom said:

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A new study was released.

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.120.317134

People on ACE/ARBs had *way* better outcomes than those who did not.

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Fabulous news!!! Thanks for sharing. I take losartan myself.

Olmesartan, (which I'm on) is way better.

FullDraw said:

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Olmesartan, (which I'm on) is way better.

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Man, I was on that for like 2 years, then right before it went generic, my doc switched me to Entresto. I asked her if she was getting kickbacks for keeping me on a patented drug. Luckily for me, she appreciates my smartass humor.

Ramipril here. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

This is sad. But sometimes I think the reps have this kind of influence, albeit I don't think it's that often. If it's on "the plan" it's no issue for the patient. But if drug companies can't make a buck we don't get new, sometimes better meds.

Thanks for the follow ups. Been on Lisinopril for 15 years so I approve of that report.

FullDraw said:

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Olmesartan, (which I'm on) is way better.

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My wife and I are both Olmesartan with a HCT. Benicar was running me $100 a month for both of us and now it is $10 on Olmesartan. So we are good to go? She also downs Melatonin like a Oklahoma meth head, so as always she will be Ok.

Commonly used blood pressure meds may affect outcomes on Covid-19

It is being actively studied. At this point, if you are doing well on your BP meds, it's hard to argue that you should change to OR from an ACE/ARB. At least on 04/21 at 09:15 EST. That could change.

Kool said:

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Commonly used blood pressure meds may affect outcomes on Covid-19

It is being actively studied. At this point, if you are doing well on your BP meds, it's hard to argue that you should change to OR from an ACE/ARB. At least on 04/21 at 09:15 EST. That could change.

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That is a much needed study! Thanks for posting I think everyone in the medical community would like to be sure about the effects of ACE/ARB use in COVID.

My doc just refilled my Ramipril for 90 days. Hopefully there isn't a run on the 'prils if they determine that ACE inhibitors have a positive benefit in the fight against COVID.