Is Enalapril helpful?

Enalapril: uses Enalapril is used to treat high blood pressure ( hypertension ) . Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

Enalapril contains two medications, enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide. Enalapril is called an ACE inhibitor and works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Hydrochlorothiazide is called a water pill ( diuretic ) and causes your body to get rid of extra salt and water. This increases amount of urine you make. Getting rid of extra water and salt probably also helps to relax the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily. These medications are used together when one drug isn't controlling your blood pressure.

Enalapril: how to use Take Enalapril by mouth with or without food, usually once or twice daily or as directed by your doctor. If you take this drug too close to bedtime, we may need to wake up to urinate. Therefore, it's best to take Enalapril at least 4 hours before your bedtime. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if we have questions about your dosing schedule.

The dosage is based on your age, medical condition and response to therapy. If we have severe liver or kidney problems, your dosage may need to be adjusted.

Use Enalapril regularly in order to get most benefit from it. To help we remember, take it at the same time each day. It's important to continue taking Enalapril even if we feel well. Most people with high blood pressure don't feel sick. It may take up to several weeks before full benefit of Enalapril takes effect.

Do not stop taking Enalapril without first consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when drug is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

Inform your doctor if your condition worsens ( e. g. , your routine blood pressure readings increase ) .

Enalapril: other used This section contains uses of Enalapril that are not listed in approved professional labeling for drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use Enalapril for a condition that's listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

Enalapril may also be used to treat certain heart conditions ( e. g. , congestive heart failure ) .

Enalapril: side effects Dizziness or lightheadedness may occur while use Enalapril as your body adjusts to medication. Nausea, tiredness, headache or dry cough may also occur. You may also experience decreased sexual ability or increased sensitivity to the sun. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed Enalapril because he or she has judged that benefit to you is greater than risk of side effects. Many people using Enalapril do not have serious side effects.

The hydrochlorothiazide in Enalapril may cause too much body water and salts to be lost ( dehydration ) . Tell your doctor immediately if we have any of these unlikely but serious symptoms of dehydration:

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

Enalapril may rarely cause serious ( possibly fatal ) liver problems. Tell your doctor immediately if we notice any of following rare but very serious side effects:

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

A very serious allergic reaction to Enalapril is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:

This isn't a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Enalapril: precautions Before taking Enalapril, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're allergic to either enalapril or hydrochlorothiazide; or to other ACE inhibitors ( e. g. , captopril, lisinopril ) ; or to other thiazides ( e. g. , polythiazide ) ; or to sulfa medications; or if you have any other allergies.

Enalapril should not be used if we have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if we have:

Before using Enalapril, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

Enalapril may make we dizzy; use caution while engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages.

To reduce risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.

Drink plenty of fluids while taking Enalapril to help prevent dizziness. Too much sweating, diarrhea or vomiting may cause we to feel lightheaded. Avoid heavy exercise. Report prolonged diarrhea or vomiting to your doctor.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that we are taking Enalapril.

Enalapril may make we more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.

Enalapril may increase or decrease your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If we have diabetes, this product may increase your blood sugar levels. Check your blood glucose levels regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if we have symptoms of high blood sugar, such as increased thirst and urination. Your anti-diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.

Caution is advised when using Enalapril in elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness.

Enalapril isn't recommended for use during pregnancy due to risk for harm to an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details. ( See also Warning section. )

The enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide in Enalapril pass into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using Enalapril is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Enalapril: interactions Also see Precautions. Your healthcare professionals ( e. g. , doctor or pharmacist ) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Don't start, stop or change dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Enalapril should not be used with following medication because very serious interactions may occur while use Enalapril:

Before using Enalapril, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products we may use, especially of:

A very serious reaction may occur while use Enalapril if we are getting injections for bee/wasp sting allergy ( desensitization ) and are also taking enalapril with hydrochlorothiazide. Make sure all your doctors know which medicines we are using.

If taken together with Enalapril, cholestyramine and colestipol can decrease amount of Enalapril that's absorbed by your body. If we are taking either of these drugs, separate them from this medication by at least 4 hours.

Check labels on all your medicines ( e. g. , cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs for pain/fever reduction ) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure or cause a fast heartbeat ( e. g. , pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, clemastine, ibuprofen, naproxen ) . Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

Some nonprescription medicines may also contain aspirin, which may decrease effect of enalapril in Enalapril. Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention ( usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day ) should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Enalapril can affect results of certain lab tests ( e. g. , parathyroid, certain tests that measure digoxin drug levels ) . Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know we use Enalapril.

This document doesn't contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Enalapril, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Enalapril: overdose If overdose of Enalapril is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness.

Enalapril: notes Do not share Enalapril with others. Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes may increase effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.

Laboratory and/or medical tests ( e. g. , white blood cell count, blood sodium and potassium levels, kidney function, liver function ) should be performed from time to time to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Check your blood pressure regularly while taking this medication, especially when we first start Enalapril or when your dose is changed. Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home, and share results with your doctor.

Enalapril: missed dose If we miss a dose Enalapril, take it as soon as we remember. If it's near the time of the next dose, skip missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose of Enalapril to catch up.

Enalapril: storage Store US products at a temperature below 86 degrees F ( 30 degrees C ) away from light and moisture. Brief storage up to 122 degrees F ( 50 degrees C ) is permitted.

Store the Canadian product 59 to 86 degrees F ( 15 to 30 degrees C ) away from light and moisture.

Don't store Enalapril in bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Properly discard Enalapril when it's expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Enalapril: warning Enalapril can cause serious ( possibly fatal ) harm to an unborn baby if used during pregnancy. Therefore, it's important to prevent pregnancy while taking Enalapril. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss use of reliable forms of birth control while taking this medication. If we are planning pregnancy, become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately.

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