I am taking altace 10 mg daily. I have read that this drug is not effective with the black?

18 Mar 2011

There is some evidence to say that ACE-Inhibitors, the class of medicine that altace is part of, is less effective in African American populations, but they ARE effective. My explanation is below.

There are some reviews however that say this is overstated. ACE-inhibitors do often work in the African American population. The data says that they just need higher doses.

One of the things that clinical trials have shown, is that on average the African Americans with hypertension tend to have higher sodium diets as compared to other populations. That being said the data shows that most African American's respond well. There is also some studies to show that African Americans's tend to respond better to diuretics and calcium channel blockers.

**Long story short - it is more important to look at how well a person is doing on a medicine than to limit based on race. The conclusions can be used to figure out good starting drugs, rather than saying which drugs can't be use.**

Brian PharmD Candidate