Enalapril (By mouth)

en-AL-a-pril MAL-ee-ate

Treats high blood pressure and heart failure. This medicine is an ACE inhibitor.

Drug classes

Antihypertensive, Cardiovascular Agent, Renal Protective Agent (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Enalapril is used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. Lowering blood pressure can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

Enalapril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It works by blocking a substance in the body that causes the blood vessels to tighten. As a result, enalapril relaxes the blood vessels. This lowers blood pressure and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.

Enalapril is also used in combination with other medicines to treat congestive heart failure and cut down on the number of hospital visits for heart problems.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription. .

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Liquid, Tablet

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if your child cannot swallow the oral tablets.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Epaned™ oral liquid: Store at room temperature for up to 60 days. Vasotec® mixed oral liquid: Store in the refrigerator for up to 30 days. Do not freeze.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Do not use this medicine together with aliskiren if you have diabetes.

Some foods and medicines can affect how enalapril works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:

Aliskiren, everolimus, lithium, sirolimus, temsirolimus Another blood pressure medicine, including an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) Diuretic (water pill, including amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene) NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)

Ask your doctor before you use any medicine, supplement, or salt substitute that contains potassium.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use if you had an allergic reaction to enalapril or another ACE inhibitor, or if you are pregnant.

Warnings

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, lupus or a similar disorder, or heart or blood vessel disease.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Angioedema (severe swelling) Serious liver problems Kidney problems

This medicine could lower your blood pressure too much, especially when you first use it or if you are dehydrated. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

Do not stop using this medicine without asking your doctor, even if you feel well. This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it will help keep it in a normal range. You may have to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash

Change in how much or how often you urinate

Confusion, weakness, uneven heartbeat, trouble breathing, numbness in your hands, feet, or lips

Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

Fever, chills, sore throat, body aches

Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

Severe stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting)

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Dry cough

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Epaned, Vasotec

There may be other brand names for this medicine.