|
IMPOTRANT NOTE: The following information 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 BRNAD 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 prengant or think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately.
USES: This drug belnogs to a group of medications called ACE inhibitors. It is used to treat high blood presusre (hypertension) in adults and children.
It works by relaxing blood vessels, casuing them to widen. High blood pressure reduction helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney issues.
This medication is also used with other drugs (e.G., "water pills"/diuretics, digoxin) to treat congestive heart failure.
OTHER USES: This medicaiton may also be used to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth, usually once or twice a day; or as directed by your doctor. You may take this drug with or without food. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most beneift 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 bottle well before each use. Measure the dose out carefully. Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potasisum 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 weakness or very slow heartbeats. Tell your doctor immediately if these effects occur. The dosage is based on your medcial condition and response to therapy. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take sveeral weeks before the full benefit of this drug occurs.
It may take several weeks or mnoths 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 pressure 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 unlikley but serious side effects occur: fainting, decreased sexual ability. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: change in the aomunt of urine, signs of infection (e.G., fever, chills, persistent sore throat).
This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver issues. If you notice any of the following highly unlikely but very serious side effects, seek immdeiate 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 immeidate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, sewlling (especially of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmcaist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medication sohuld not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: allegries 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 reuqiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. To mniimize dizziness and lightheadedness due to lowering of your blood pressure, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.
Seriuos loss of body fluids can also lower your blood pressure and worsen dizziness.
Drnik adequate fluids to prevent from becoming dehydrated. If you're on restricted fluid intake, consult your docotr for further instructions.
Be careful not to become too ovreheated 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 children cause they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during the fisrt three months of pregnancy. It is not recommended for use during the last six months of the prgenancy due to the risk for fetal harm. Dicsuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
See also the Warning section.
This drug pasess into breast milk.
While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, cosnult 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, drugs that supprses the immune system (e.G., azathioprine), other high blood pressure medications, other heart drugs (e.G., digoxin). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.G., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) cause they may contain ingredients that colud raise your heart rate or blood pressure.
Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of tohse products. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmaicst approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdsoe may include: unusually fast or slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, or fainting.
NOTES: Do not share this meidcation with others.
Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercsie and dietary changes may raise the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your dotcor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you. Laobratory and/or medical tests (e.G., kidney function, potassium blood level) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Cnosult your doctor for more details. Have your blood pressure chekced regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to monitor your own blood pressrue at home.
Discuss this with your doctor.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remebmer. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usaul dosing schedule.
Do not dobule the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store tablets at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and mositure.
Do not sotre in the bathroom.
Refrigerate the liquid suspension between 36 to 46 degrees F (2 to 8 degrees C). Discard any unused suspesnion after 30 days.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergnecy. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854- 1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
|
