Hyponatremia induced by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors

Background: Hyponatraemia is commonly associated with disease conditions or as an adverse effect of certain drugs. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor blockers are drugs that have been commonly prescribed for the treatment of hypertension and cardiac diseases. It has become important to evaluate and investigate the incidence of hyponatremia on consumption of these drugs. The study aims to observe the incidence of the adverse drug reaction-hyponatraemia in hypertensive patients on ACEI therapy.Methods: The patient抯 data was collected using proforma following which they were randomized into three groups receiving enalapril, ramipril and captipril. Serum sodium levels were assayed by direct ISE method. Statistical analysis of data was performed using SPSS version 21.0. Chi-square test was used to compare occurrence of hyponatremia in the patients on ACEI. P<0.5 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Among all, 26 (52%) of the study population administered with ACEI developed hyponatremia. Predisposition to develop hyponatremia was high in males compared to females. The study also revealed that Enalapril had a higher association with hyponatremia compared to other drugs.Conclusions: Hyponatremia was induced in 52% of patients taking ACEI. This study revealed that monitoring of serum sodium levels in the patients with ACEI administration will help to prevent unexpected adverse reactions like hyponatremia.