Perindopril Arginine

Perindopril Arginine contains perindopril, a nonsulphydryl ACE inhibitor used to treat hypertension. After you swallow it, the body quickly hydrolyses perindopril to perindoprilat, which is its main active metabolite.

ACE catalyses the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a substance that narrows the blood vessels (a vasoconstrictor). Angiotensin II also stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete aldosterone. When ACE activity is inhibited, angiotensin II levels fall, so there is less vasoconstriction and less aldosterone secretion. The drop in aldosterone may cause a small rise in serum potassium.

Lower angiotensin II also means the kidney's renin secretion is no longer held back by negative feedback, and this raises plasma renin activity. Perindopril may also interfere with the breakdown of bradykinin, a vasodepressor peptide. Nobody knows yet whether this effect adds to the therapeutic action of perindopril.

The way perindopril lowers BP appears to come mainly from suppression of the RAAS.