Enalapril: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What medicine is Enalapril?

What is enalapril for?

Enalapril is a drug used to treat high blood pressure. The drop in blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. This drug is also used to treat heart failure as well as to help prevent heart problems (left ventricular dysfunction) that trigger heart failure.

Enalapril belongs to a group of drugs known as ACE Inhibitors. This medication works by loosening the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily.

OTHER USES: This section lists uses for this drug that are not listed on approved labels, but may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Use this medication for the conditions listed below only if it has been prescribed by your doctor and health care professional.

This drug can also be used to help the kidneys from diabetes attacks.

How to use enalapril?

This medication is taken with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice daily.

Be careful in measuring the dose, use a special measuring tool or spoon. Do not use a tablespoon because you may not be taking the correct dosage.

The dosage is based on your medical condition as well as your body's response to treatment. For children, dosage is also based on body weight.

Use this remedy regularly to get good results. So that you remember, take the medicine at the same time every day. It is important that you keep taking this medication even if you feel better. Most people with high blood pressure don't feel sick.

For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take several weeks before you notice any changes with using this medicine. For the treatment of heart failure, it may take several weeks or months before you feel better after using this drug.

Tell your doctor if your condition worsens (for example, your blood pressure actually increases).

How is enalapril stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Enalapril Rules of Use

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of enalapril for adults?

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose (oral tablet or solution): 5 mg orally once a day. Maintenance dose (oral tablet or solution): 10-40 mg orally per day as a single dose or in 2 divided doses.

Maximum dose: 40 mg taken by mouth daily as a single dose or in 2 divided doses.

In combination with diuretic drugs:

Initial dose: 2.5 mg orally once a day

If possible, use of diuretic drugs should be stopped 2-3 days before starting therapy using enalapril. If needed, diuretic therapy can still be continued gradually.

Parenteral: 1.25-5 mg IV for 5 minutes every 6 hours

Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure:

Initial dose: 2.5 mg orally once a day

Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 20 mg daily in 2 divided doses

Maximum dose: 40 mg orally per day in 2 divided doses

Usual Adult Dose for Left Ventricular Dysfunction:

Initial dose: 2.5 mg orally twice a day

Maintenance dose: 20 mg orally per day in 2 divided doses

What is the dose of enalapril for children?

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension: drinking tablets or solution:

Children 1 month to 17 years:

Initial dose: 0.08 mg / kg / day (up to 5 mg) in 1-2 divided doses. Adjust dosage based on patient response.

Maximum dose: Doses greater than 0.58 mg / kg (40 mg) have not been evaluated in pediatric patients.

In what dosage is enalapril available?

Drug solution, taken by mouth, as maleate: 1 mg / mL (150 mL).

Tablet, Oral, as maleate: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg.

Enalapril dosage

What side effects can be experienced due to enalapril?

Get emergency medical help if you experience any of these signs as an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as:

• felt like passing out
• urinating more or less than usual, or not at all
• weight gain drastically
• weakness, dazedness, increased thirst, loss of appetite, vomiting, rapid heart rate
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding
• heartbeat becomes fast or erratic
• high potassium levels (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingling feeling)
• chest pain
• jaundice (of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects include:

• cough
• loss of touch sensitivity, loss of appetite
• dizziness, drowsiness, headache
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• dry lips
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or
• mild hives or rash

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns regarding side effects, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Enalapril side effects

What should be known before using enalapril?

Before taking enalapril,

• contact your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to enalapril, benazepril, captopril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, Trandolapril, or other drugs
• contact your doctor and pharmacist about the drugs you are taking either with or without a prescription, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are using. Be sure to mention one of the following: aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); diuretic; lithium; and potassium supplements. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you carefully to prevent side effects
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart or kidney disease; lupus; scleroderma; diabetes; or angioedema, a condition that causes difficulty swallowing or breathing as well as painful swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding.
• tell your doctor that you are taking enalapril if you are having surgery or dental surgery
• You need to know that diarrhea, vomiting, lack of fluids in the body, and sweating a lot can actually cause a drop in blood pressure which can cause dizziness and fainting.

Is enalapril safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category D according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Studies in women have shown that this drug poses only a slight risk to the baby if it is used by a breastfeeding mother.

Enalapril Drug Warnings and Cautions

What medicines may interact with enalapril?

Tell your doctor about all the drugs you use, as well as any medications you have just started or recently stopped using during treatment with enalapril, especially:

• lithium
• diuretics or "water pills"
• gold injections to treat arthritis
• potassium supplements such as Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-phos, kaon, Klor-Con, or Polycitra or
• aspirin or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not exhaustive. Other drugs can interact with enalapril, including prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in the medication guide on the packaging.

Can food or alcohol interact with enalapril?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with enalapril?

The presence of other medical problems can affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have other medical problems, especially:

• angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, arms, or legs), or have had. Can increase the chance of the disease recurring
• collagen vascular disease (autoimmune disease) together with kidney disease. Increased risk of blood problems
• diabetes
• kidney problems. Increased potassium levels can trigger this disease to develop
• diabetic patients who are also taking Aliskiren (Tesorna®)
• inherited or idiopathic angioedema. Should not be used in patients with this condition
• electrolyte imbalances (for example low sodium levels in the blood)
• fluid imbalance (caused by dehydration, vomiting, or diarrhea)
• heart or blood vessel problems (for example, aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)
• Kidney illness
• disorders of the liver. Use with care. It might make things worse.

Enalapril Drug Interactions

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Symptoms of an overdose include:

• headache
• passed out

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.