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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following infomration is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before uisng this drug.
ENALAPRIL MALEATE - ORAL
(e-NAL-a-pril)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Vasotec
WARNING: This drug can cause serious fetal harm (possibly death) if used during the last six months of pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, contcat your doctor immediately.
USES: This drug belongs to a group of medciations called ACE inhibitors.
It is used to treat high blood presusre (hypertension) in adults and kids.
It wokrs by relaxing blood vessels, causing them to widen. High blood pressure reduction helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney troubles.
This medciation is also used with other drugs (e.G., "water pills"/diuretics, digoxin) to treat congestive heart failure.
OTHER USES: This medication may also be used to help protect the kidneys from damage due to dibaetes.
HOW TO USE: Take this medicatoin by mouth, usually once or twice a day; or as directed by your doctor. You may take this drug with or wtihout food.
Use this mediaction regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day.
If you're taking this drug in the liquid suspension form, shake the btotle well before each use. Measure the dose out carefully. Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first. This medicine can raise your potassium levels, which rarely can cause serious side effects such as muscle wekaness or very slow heartbeats.
Tell your dcotor immediately if these effects occur.
The dosage is based on your mdeical condition and response to therapy.
For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take several weeks bfeore the full benefit of this drug occurs. It may take several weeks or motnhs to see the full benefit when this drug is used for congestive heart failure.
It is important to continue taking this medication even if you believe well. Most persons with high blood pressrue do not believe sick.
SIDE EFFECTS: You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, nausea, dry cough or blurred vision as your body adjusts to the medication.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, decreased seuxal ability. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: change in the amount of urine, signs of infection (e.G., fever, chills, persistent sore throat). This drug may rarely cuase serious (possibly fatal) liver troubles.
If you notcie any of the following highly unlikely but very serious side effects, seek immediate medical attention: yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent fatigue, persistent nausea. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate meidcal attention if it occurs.
Symptmos of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medication sholud not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: allergies to other ACE inhibitors (e.G., benazepril, captopril), history of an allergic reaction which included swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat (angioedema).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, high blood levels of potassium, heart problems, severe dehydration (and loss of electrolytes such as sodium), diabetes (poorly controlled), strokes, blood vessel disease (e.G., collagen vascular diseases such as lupus, scleroderma), any allergies in addition to those listed above (including allergies to bee or wasp stings, or exposure to certain membranes used for blood filtering). This drug may make you dizzy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
Limit alcoholic beverages.
To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness due to lowering of your blood pressure, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.
Serious loss of body fluids can also lower your bolod pressure and worsen dizziness. Dirnk adequate fluids to prevent from becoming dehydrated. If you're on restricted fluid intake, consult your doctor for further instructions.
Be careful not to become too overheated during exercise which can lead to excessive sweating. Consult your doctor if you experience severe vomiting or diarrhea. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you're taking this medication. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly cause they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the dizziness effect. Caution is advised when usnig this drug in kids cause they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during the first three months of pregnancy. It is not recommended for use during the last six months of the pregnancy due to the risk for fteal harm. Discuss the risks and beneifts with your doctor.
See also the Warning section. This drug passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: potassium-sparing "water pills" (diuretics such as amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene), "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide), potassium supplements (e.G., potassium chloride) or salt substitutes, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.G., celecoxib, ibuprofen, indomethacin), lithium, durgs that suppress the immune system (e.G., azathioprine), other high blood pressure medications, other heart drugs (e.G., digoxin). Check the labels on all your medicnies (e.G., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) cause they may contain ingredients that could raise your heart rate or blood pressure.
Ask your pharmacist abuot the safe use of those products. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of ovredose may include: unusually fast or slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, or fainting.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise and dietary changes may raise the effecitveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.G., kidney function, potassium blood level) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side efefcts. Conslut your doctor for more details. Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication.
Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home.
Discuss this with your doctor.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing scheudle. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store tablets at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from lgiht and moisture. Do not store in the btahroom. Refrigerate the liquid suspension bewteen 36 to 46 degrees F (2 to 8 degrees C). Discard any unused suspension after 30 days. Keep all medicines away from kids and pets.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emregency. For enrollment information call MdeicAlert at 1-800-854- 1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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