What do -prils represent in pharmacology?

In pharmacology, the suffix "-pril" is specifically associated with a class of medications known as ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin-converting enzyme, which plays a crucial role in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that regulates blood pressure.

ACE inhibitors function by blocking the action of this enzyme, preventing the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. As a result, blood vessels relax and widen, leading to a reduction in blood pressure. This class of drugs is commonly used to treat conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart failure.

Medications in this group, such as lisinopril, ramipril, and enalapril, are recognized for their efficacy in managing cardiovascular diseases. Their mechanism of action and the benefits they provide make the "-pril" suffix a hallmark of this particular category of medications.