What is enalapril?
Enalapril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin converting
enzyme.
Enalapril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), congestive heart failure, kidney
problems caused by diabetes, and to improve survival after a heart attack.
Enalapril may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking enalapril?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to enalapril or to any other ACE inhibitor, such
as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril),
moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril
(Mavik).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take
this medication. Before you take enalapril, tell your doctor if you have:
-
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
-
liver disease;
-
heart disease or congestive heart failure;
-
diabetes; or
-
a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome,
Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis.
FDA pregnancy category D.
Do not
use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Enalapril could
cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an effective form of
birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during
treatment.
Enalapril can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take enalapril?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this
medication.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Enalapril can be taken with or without food.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to
very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking enalapril. Drink
plenty of water each while you are taking this medication.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be
checked on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any
scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking
enalapril. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine.
High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store enalapril at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of enalapril?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about enalapril?
Your pharmacist has information about enalapril written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of enalapril?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue,
or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
feeling light-headed, fainting;
-
urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
-
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
-
fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
-
chest pain; or
-
swelling, rapid weight gain.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
cough;
-
loss of taste sensation, loss of appetite;
-
dizziness, drowsiness, headache;
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
dry mouth;
-
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; or
-
mild skin itching or rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about enalapril?
Do not
use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant
or planning a pregnancy. Enalapril could cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication
during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your
doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to
very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking enalapril. Drink
plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.
What should I avoid while taking enalapril?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of
the side effects of enalapril.
Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking enalapril, unless your
doctor has told you to.
What other drugs will affect enalapril?
Before taking enalapril, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
-
gold injections to treat arthritis;
-
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
-
a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con;
-
salt substitutes that contain potassium;
-
aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin
(Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and others; or
-
a diuretic (water pill).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
enalapril. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins,
minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication
without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of enalapril?