Enalapril
About Enalapril
Enalapril is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It is also used to treat heart failure and help prevent its symptoms.
Enalapril contains Enalapril, which works by blocking a naturally occurring substance called angiotensin II, which tightens the blood vessels. Enalapril relaxes and widens the blood vessels, thereby helping to lower high blood pressure and reduce the heart’s workload.
Take Enalapril exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow it whole with a glass of water; do not crush or chew it. In some cases, Enalapril may cause side effects, including headache, dry cough, nausea, weakness, dizziness, and blurred vision. Please consult your doctor if these side effects persist or worsen.
Do not stop taking Enalapril on your own, even if your blood pressure becomes normal, as this may worsen your condition. Inform your doctor before starting Enalapril if you have hypotension (low blood pressure), electrolyte imbalances, or liver, kidney, or heart problems. Enalapril should be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding only after consulting your doctor. Enalapril is not recommended for children.
Uses of Enalapril
Medicinal Benefits
Enalapril offers the following medicinal benefits:
- Effectively treats high blood pressure by relaxing and widening the blood vessels.
- Helps manage heart failure by making it easier for the heart to pump blood.
- Prevents symptoms of heart failure and may reduce the need for hospitalisation.
- Protects kidney function, especially in people with diabetes or kidney disease.
- Long-term use may reduce the risk of serious complications such as heart attack and stroke.
Directions for Use
- Enalapril may be taken with or without food, as advised by your physician.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Enalapril as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Enalapril
- Headache
- Dry cough
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
Medicines Containing this Salt
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Drug Warnings
- Do not take Enalapril if you are allergic to any of its ingredients or if you have low blood pressure (less than 90 mmHg), angioedema (swelling), impaired kidney function, or diabetes.
- Inform your doctor before starting Enalapril if you have any heart, liver, or kidney problems, bone marrow suppression, hyperkalaemia (high potassium level), or if you are currently on haemodialysis.
- Enalapril should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as it may cause harm to the baby.
- Enalapril is not recommended for use in children, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established.
- Tell your doctor that you are using Enalapril before undergoing any dental or other surgical procedures. Your physician may advise discontinuing this medication before surgery.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as there may be an interaction.
- Drugs used to treat high blood pressure (Aliskiren, Candesartan)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of serious side effects such as kidney problems, low blood pressure, and high blood potassium levels. - Drugs used to treat oedema (Triamterene)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of hyperkalaemia (high blood potassium levels). - Electrolyte supplements (Potassium chloride, Potassium citrate)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of hyperkalaemia, potentially leading to muscular paralysis, kidney problems, and abnormal heart rhythms. - Iron preparations (Ferric carboxymaltose)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of side effects of Enalapril. - Immunosuppressants (Leflunomide)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of liver damage. - Antifungals (Ketoconazole)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of liver problems.
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid high-potassium and high-sodium foods, as they may raise your blood potassium level (hyperkalemia). Besides this, do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking Enalapril.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Enalapril should be avoided or used with caution in people with:
- Angioedema (swelling)
- Bone marrow suppression
- Haemodialysis
- Hyperkalaemia (high potassium level)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Diabetes (low blood sugar)
- Kidney dysfunction
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeEnalapril may enhance the hypotensive (low blood pressure) effect of this drug. For better advise, you should consult your doctor whether you can take Enalapril with alcohol.
Pregnancy
unsafeEnalapril is usually contraindicated during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It may cause harm to the developing foetus. Therefore, you should consult your physician before using Enalapril.
Breast Feeding
cautionUsing Enalapril is not recommended during breastfeeding.
Driving
unsafeDrive with caution, as Enalapril may cause blurry vision and dizziness.
Liver
cautionRare elevations in liver enzymes (such as bilirubin) have been observed while taking Enalapril, so it should be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease or conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionEnalapril should be used with caution, especially in cases of severe kidney disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor. Enalapril should be used with caution in patients on haemodialysis.
Children
cautionEnalapril is not recommended for children, as its safety and efficacy have not been established in this population. Please consult your doctor to decide whether to give Enalapril to your child.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Dietary recommendations:
- Opt for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veggies and low-fat dairy products.
- Limit sodium chloride (table salt) intake to 2300 mg per day; ideally, less than 1500 mg for most adults.
- Including heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid-containing food drinks in your daily diet.
- Use low-fat cooking oils such as olive, soybean, canola, and coconut oil to help lower your elevated blood pressure.
Lifestyle measures:
- Keep your weight under control with a body mass index (BMI) of 19.5-24.9.
- Do regular exercise for at least 150 minutes per week (about 30 minutes most days).
- Quit smoking and avoid consuming excessive alcohol.
- Try to reduce stress by practising mindfulness techniques and spending time with your loved ones.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily, and if there are significant fluctuations, contact your doctor immediately.
Special Advise
- If hypotension (low blood pressure) occurs, the patient should be placed in the supine position and, if necessary, should receive an intravenous infusion of normal saline.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension (high blood pressure): It is a chronic (lifelong) condition that occurs when the blood exerts excessive pressure against the walls of the arteries. It may not cause noticeable symptoms initially, but over time, it can strain the heart, damage blood vessels, and affect the kidneys and other organs. If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can increase the risk of serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
FAQs
Enalapril is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It is also used to treat heart failure and help prevent its symptoms.
Enalapril contains Enalapril, which works by blocking a naturally occurring substance called angiotensin II, which tightens the blood vessels. Enalapril relaxes and widens the blood vessels, thereby helping to lower high blood pressure and reduce the heart’s workload.
No, it is a prescribed drug, given by a physician for preventing specific medical conditions. Taking it on your own can cause unwanted side effects.
It is advised to continue your medication even after your blood pressure is under control or normal, as it can suddenly rise at any time. If you have any discomfort, please consult your doctor immediately.
Before surgery, you should inform your doctor that you are taking Enalapril as it can reduce your blood pressure when used along with anaesthesia, which is given before a major operation.
If you forget to take Enalapril, take it as soon as you remember, then continue taking it at the usual times. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Enalapril may cause side effects such as nausea, weakness, cough, dizziness and blurred vision. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
No, Enalapril does not cause excessive urination. Normal kidney function may not be affected by Enalapril. However, when Enalapril is given with a diuretic (water pill, a medicine that increases the urine output), kidney damage may occur. In this case, either the diuretic should be discontinued or its dose reduced. If you have severe heart failure or your kidneys are already affected, then there is a risk of kidney failure. However, kidney damage can be reversed by timely and appropriate treatment.
Rarely, Enalapril may cause yellowing of the skin and eyes, increased liver enzymes, and loss of appetite. Additionally, it might cause significant liver damage and even death. Therefore, if you experience any such symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
You should be cautious when taking Enalapril with hydrochlorothiazide, as it can further lower your blood pressure. You may also develop kidney failure symptoms, such as reduced urine output and swelling of your legs, ankles, and feet due to water retention. While others may experience unexplained shortness of breath, persistent nausea, excessive drowsiness or fatigue, pain, confusion, or pressure in the chest and seizures (fits). These symptoms typically occur if there is considerable water or salt loss prior to starting Enalapril. Therefore, if you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor, who will either advise you to stop taking hydrochlorothiazide or lower the dose. The doctor may also recommend you Enalapril in very low doses when used in combination with hydrochlorothiazide.
You are recommended to avoid taking ibuprofen with Enalapril, as there is a risk of kidney damage, and it may reduce the effectiveness of Enalapril. However, please consult your doctor before taking Enalapril with other medicines.
Enalapril starts working within a few hours. However, it may take a few weeks to see its full effects. After taking Enalapril for high blood pressure, you may not notice any difference until you get your blood pressure checked. It may take a few weeks to months before you start feeling better, if you are taking Enalapril for heart failure.
You should take Enalapril for as long as your doctor advises. You might need to take it lifelong, unless any serious side effects start bothering you and stop you from taking it. However, do not discontinue it without first consulting your physician.
Yes, Enalapril can be used long-term, as it is generally well tolerated by most people. However, long-term use can impair kidney function. Your doctor will recommend regular blood tests to check whether your kidneys are functioning properly.
