ACE inhibitors currently carry an FDA black box warning regarding the dangers of taking these drugs during the second and third trimestors of pregnancy.  However, results of a new study have shown that children whose mothers had taken ACE inhibitors during their first trimester were at risk for being born with birth defects such as severe brain and heart defects. Based on these new findings, taking these drugs during early pregnancy "cannot be considered safe and should be avoided," lead researcher Dr. William Cooper, a Vanderbilt University pediatrician, said in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine.  The FDA has responded to this new study by stating that more research is needed before before it determines that the warning label should specifically include risks during the first trimester.

Popular ACE Inhibitors include Lotrel, Altace and Lisinopril.