Enalapril/Enalaprilat

Brand Names: Altace Vasotec

Prescription Needed: Yes

What is this drug used for?

Enalapril is a medication used to treat high blood pressure congestive heart failure and some kidney diseases (e.g. nephropathy). It is also used to decrease the chances of heart attack or stroke in people who are at high risk (e.g. recent heart attack heart disease or angina).

Is there any reason why I shouldn't take this drug?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to it or similar drugs such as benazepril captopril cilazapril fosinopril lisinopril moexipril perindopril ramipril quinapril or trandolapril.

Do not take this medication if you are pregnant have experienced a side effect to enalapril or enalapril-like drugs called angioedema or have a kidney condition called bilateral renal artery stenosis. Tell your doctor specifically if you have or have ever had:

  • Problems with your kidney or liver
  • High levels of potassium in your blood or taking potassium supplements
  • Problems with severe dehydration
  • Problems with coughing
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Aortic stenosis

What about possible side effects?

The most common side effects are:
  • dry cough
  • low blood pressure
  • dizziness lightheadedness
  • high levels of potassium in the blood
  • feeling tired

Other less common and possibly severe side effects include:

  • rash and itching
  • loss of taste

Other side effects:

  • swelling of the face throat tongue lips eyes hands feet ankles or lower legs (angioedema) - call your doctor immediately
  • problems with the kidney
  • rare cases of hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes) have been reported. jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) - call your doctor immediately
  • fever sore throat chills and other signs of infection - call your doctor immediately

This is not a complete list of side effects. If you are concerned about these or other unusual symptoms while taking this medication ask your doctor and/or pharmacist for more information and advice.

What if I am taking other drugs?

Always provide your doctor with a list of all other drugs you are taking (including over-the-counter medications and herbal/natural products) as they may interact with and/or may change the safety or effectiveness of either drug. Tell your doctor specifically if you are taking any of these drugs as he/she may need to make changes or monitor you more closely:
  • water pills (e.g. hydrochlorothiazide furosemide)
  • potassium supplements salt substitutes spironolactone amiloride trimaterene (increase the chances of having high levels of potassium in the blood)
  • other medications to treat high blood pressure (may increase your chances for experiencing low blood pressure)
  • lithium (can increase the amount of lithium in the blood)
  • ASA & other anti-inflammatories (e.g. ibuprofen voltaren diclofenac) (e.g ibuprofen naproxen voltaren) - can increase the chances of problems with your kidney and may decrease how well enalapril works to lower blood pressure and treat congestive heart failure.
  • If you are taking this drug to treat high blood pressure be careful of certain over-the-counter medicines that may increase your blood pressure. These include some cough and cold medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your list of medications.

Other Information:

Tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication prior to any surgical or emergency treatment.

Lab Tests: Your doctor will likely order blood tests periodically to check that this medication is not causing any side effects.

Children: Can be used. Lower doses required. Talk to your doctor

Seniors are more sensitive to the effects of the medication. Lower doses are usually required especially at the start of therapy.

Pregnant women: Do not take as it can cause birth defects. Talk to your doctor.

Women who are nursing: This drug passes into breast milk but at normal doses adverse effects on baby are unlikely. Talk to your doctor.

People who drive or operate machinery should not do so until they know the impact enalapril has on them personally. This drug may cause dizziness as a result of lower blood pressure.

Overdose: If you experience any unusual reactions or if you seriously exceed the recommended dosage call your doctor or 911.

Stopping the drug. Talk to your doctor before you stop taking this drug. Stopping the drug will likely cause your blood pressure to increase or your other symptoms due to congestive heart failure to return.

If you miss a dose: Take as soon as you remember. If your next dose is due within 8 hours take a single dose now and skip the next dose then return to your regular dosing schedule. If you are unsure of what to do talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Storage conditions: closed container; cool (below 25C) dry location away from excess moisture (not in the bathroom); direct light always out of reach of children.

Dietary precautions: in order to help control your blood pressure your doctor may suggest that you reduce the amount of salt in your diet. Avoid salt substitutes as they sometimes contain potassium.