What is Enalapril?
Enalapril oral tablets are used as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other medicines in order to manage high blood pressure in children and adults who are at least one month old.Enalapril oral is also used to treat and prevent congestive heart failure in adults.
Enalapril injections are used by adults to treat high blood pressure.It reduces certain substances that tighten blood vessels. This means that blood flow is more fluid, and the heart is able to pump blood more efficiently.
Warnings
Do not take enalapril when you are expecting. If you are pregnant and stop taking this medication, inform your doctor immediately.
Discuss with your doctor the other medications you take. Certain medications should not be taken with enalapril.If you suffer from diabetes, don't take the medication enalapril, which contains an aliskiren (such as Tekturna as well as Tekamlo).
There is no need to use the drug enalapril if you have suffered from angioedema. Take this medicine within the first 36 hours after taking any medication that has the ingredient sacubitril (such as Entresto).
Enalapril may influence your heart and electrolyte levels. Contact your doctor if you are experiencing chest pain, heartbeats that pound, a fluttering chest, a slow heartbeat, an irregular pulse, a feeling of tingling, muscle weakness, or muscle tightness or contraction.
Before you Take this Drug
It is not recommended to take enalapril if you are allergic to it or the other ACE (angiotensin convert enzyme) inhibitors such as benazepril or fosinopril (captopril), trandolapril, moexipril, lisinopril, quinapril, perindopril, or the drug ramipril.
Don't use enalapril for more than 36 hours prior to or after using a medicine containing sacubitril (such as Entresto).Do not take enalapril if you have an existing history of angioedema (a severe allergic reaction).
If you suffer from diabetes, don't take enalapril with any medication containing the ingredient aliskiren (a blood pressure medication).To ensure that this medication is suitable for you, inform your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Heart disease heart disease, heart issues like the recent heart attack;
- Low blood pressure;
- Stomach discomfort;
- Low white blood cell count;
- If you're on a diet that has low salt levels,
- Diabetes;
- Kidney problems (or if you're taking dialysis).
- The liver condition.
It is also possible to stay clear of taking enalapril along with Aliskiren in the event of renal disease.
Stop using this medication and inform your doctor immediately if you are pregnant. Enalapril can cause harm or death to a baby that is not born if you use the medication during the third or second trimester.
Do not breastfeed.
How to Take Enalapril?
Use enalapril according to the prescription given by your physician. Follow all instructions on your prescription label and review all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor might occasionally alter the dosage of your medication.The tablets as well as the oral solution (liquid) are ingested by the mouth.It is possible to take enalapril orally in combination with food or not.
Take measurements of liquid medicine using the measuring device supplied (not the kitchen spoon).Enalapril is usually administered via injection only when you are unable to take the medicine orally.Enalapril injections are administered through a vein. The healthcare professional will give you the injection.
Contact your physician if you are experiencing persistent diarrhoea or are sweating more frequently than normal. It is possible to become dehydrated when taking Enalapril. This can result in lower blood pressure levels, electrolyte imbalance, and kidney failure.Your blood pressure needs to be monitored regularly, and you might require frequent blood tests.Inform your doctor if you are planning a procedure.
If you suffer from hypertension, continue taking enalapril even when you feel fine. The presence of high blood pressure is often accompanied by no signs.Keep the tablets securely closed in a cool, dry place away from heat and moisture.
The medicines in liquid form are securely sealed in the refrigerator. Don't freeze. You can also keep the liquid medicine in a refrigerator at room temperature and use it within 60 days.
Details on Dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
First dosage (oral tablets or solution): 5 mg orally, once daily.
Dosage for maintenance (oral tablets or a solution) 10–40 mg daily orally in a single dose or in 2 doses
Maximum dosage: 40 mg taken orally every day as one dose or in two doses.
In conjunction with diuretics:
Initial dosage: 2.5 mg orally once per day.
If possible, diuretics should be stopped 2 to 3 days prior to the start of treatment with the drug enalapril. If necessary, diuretic therapy can be gradually reintroduced.
Parents: 1.25 or 5 mg in a 5-minute interval every 6 hours
Comments:
The clinical response usually appears within 15 minutes of the IV administration.
If needed, diuretic therapy can be reintroduced slowly.
Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure:
Initial dosage: 2.5 mg orally once every day.
Dosage for maintenance: 2.5 to 20 mg daily, divided into 2 doses
Maximum dose: 40 mg daily in two divided doses
Comments:
Treatment is typically used in conjunction with diuretics and digitalis.
Doses should be gradually increased in a manner that is tolerated over the course of several days or weeks.
Usual Adult Dose for Left Ventricular Dysfunction:
Initial dosage: 2.5 mg orally twice every day.
Dosage for maintenance 20 mg taken orally per day in two doses divided
Comments:
Following the initial dose, the patient must be monitored for at least 2 hours or until blood pressure is stabilised for at least an additional hour.
If it is possible, the dose of diuretics that are concomitantly used must be reduced to reduce the risk of hypotension.
Usual Paediatric Dose for Hypertension:
Oral tablets or solutions:
Children aged 1 month to 1 year:
Initial dosage: 0.08 mg/kg/day (up to 5 mg) in 1 to 2 doses. Change dosage according to patient response.
The maximum dose is greater than 0.58 mg/kg (40 mg), which has not been studied in children.
Comment:
It is not recommended in infants and children who have a glomerular filtration ratio less than 30 mL/min, since there is no evidence available.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
You should take the medication as quickly as you are able, but do not take any missed doses if it's nearing the time to take the next dose. Don't take two doses at once.
In a medical environment, there is no chance of being able to skip a dose.
What Happens If I Overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What Should be Avoided?
Don't rise too fast from a sitting or lying in a seated. You could be dizzy.Don't take salt substitutes or potassium supplements unless your physician has instructed you to.
Avoid becoming too hot or dehydrated when exercising, in hot weather, or by drinking insufficient fluids. Follow the advice of your physician about the types and amounts of fluids you need to consume. In some instances, drinking too much liquid could be as dangerous as drinking insufficiently.
Side effects of Enalapril
See a doctor immediately. If you exhibit symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction due to the drug enalapril, such as hives or severe stomach pain, as well as breathing problems and swelling of your lips, face, and tongue,
Enalapril may cause serious side effects. Consult your physician immediately. If you suffer from:
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you're passing out;
- Hypertension of blood potassium—nausea and the feeling of tingling; weakness in the chest; irregular heartbeats; decreased movement;
- Lower white blood cell count low white blood cell counts; fever; mouth sores; open sores in the skin; coughing sores;
- Kidney issues swelling, urination less frequently, feeling exhausted or sluggish,
- Liver issues loss of appetite nausea, abdominal pain (upper right side) fatigue, itching, dark urine, black or stool coloured by clay, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin),
Common side effects of enalapril can include:
- Cough, diarrhoea;
- Chest pain, dizziness, and tiredness;
- Headache, nausea,
- Low blood pressure.
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and other effects may also be experienced. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You can report symptoms to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with Other Drugs
Enalapril may cause kidney damage, particularly in conjunction with specific medications for infection, cancer, osteoporosis, and so on.
Inform your doctor about your other medications, particularly:
- Diuretic or "water pill" that may increase blood potassium levels, such as spironolactone, triamterene, or amiloride;
- These are NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), as well as celecoxib, diclofenac (also known as indomethacin), diclofe, and many other NSAIDs.
- Medication to prevent organ transplant rejection, for example, temsirolimus, sirolimus, and everolimus;
- Blood pressure or heart medication.
This list isn't complete. Other drugs can interact with enalapril. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. There are many possible interactions between drugs. are listed here.