Enalapril
About Enalapril
Enalapril is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. Hypertension (High blood pressure) is a condition in which the force exerted by the blood against the artery walls becomes so high that it causes health problems, such as heart disease.
Enalapril lowers increased blood pressure by blocking a naturally occurring substance known as angiotensin II (that tightens your blood vessels). Enalapril allows these constricted blood vessels to relax and, therefore, help lower high blood pressure.
In some cases, you may experience headaches, ankle swelling, slow heart rate, and nausea. Enalapril may lower your blood pressure, especially if taken with alcohol. So, avoid driving and operating heavy machinery. Most of these side effects of Enalapril do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Try not to stop taking this medicine of your own. Even if your blood pressure becomes normal, you should not stop using Enalapril; doing so may worsen your condition. Let your doctor know if you have had or currently have any liver, kidney, or heart problems. During pregnancy and lactation, Enalapril should be only taken after consulting your doctor. You should regularly monitor your blood pressure and heart rate.
Uses of Enalapril
Medicinal Benefits
Enalapril is primarily used to treat hypertension or high blood pressure. In combination therapy, it is also prescribed with other drugs, like thiazide diuretics (water pills). Besides, Enalapril prevents congestive heart failure in combination with diuretics (water pills) and cardiac glycosides like digitalis. In these patients, Enalapril improves heart complications, increases survival, and reduces hospitalization frequency.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Enalapril
- Cough
- Dizziness
- Vision blurred
- Weakness
- Nausea (feeling sick)
Drug Warnings
Enalapril should not be given to the people allergic to Enalapril, have low blood pressure (less than 90 mm of Hg), have had a heart attack, kidney disease, liver disease, pregnant women or planning to get pregnant and breastfeeding women. Besides this, tell your doctor if you have low blood pressure (hypotension), heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, or are currently on dialysis. Enalapril is not recommended in neonates and children with worse kidney functioning (glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min). The level of raised bilirubin has been reported in some cases, so patients with liver diseases (like cirrhosis, jaundice, yellowing of skin/eye etc.) should take the Enalapril with caution. Do not take Enalapril with alcohol as it may cause low blood pressure (hypotension) with symptoms of dizziness, drowsiness, weariness, or sleepiness. Tell your doctor that, you are using Enalapril before undergoing any dental or other surgery. Your doctor might stop this medicine before the surgery.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Enalapril may interact with diuretics (water pills), potassium supplements, anti-diabetic drugs or insulin, high blood pressure-lowering pills (aliskiren), and lithium.
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid intake of high potassium and sodium intake. Including these in your diet might increase level of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia). Besides this, do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking Enalapril.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Enalapril should not be given in patients with angioedema (swelling), bone marrow suppression, congestive heart failure, haemodialysis, hyperkalaemia (high potassium level), low blood pressure (hypotension), liver disease and 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
unsafeThe use of Enalapril or any ACE inhibitors is usually contraindicated during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. It may cause harm to the developing fetus. Hence, you should always consult your doctor before using Enalapril.
Breast Feeding
cautionUse of Enalapril is not recommended during breastfeeding stage.
Driving
unsafeDrive with caution, Enalapril may cause blurry vision, and dizziness or weariness may occur.
Liver
cautionRare elevation in the liver enzymes (like bilirubin) have been observed while taking Enalapril, so it has to be taken with caution. Especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionEnalapril to be taken with caution, especially in case of severe kidney disease. Dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor. Enalapril should be given with precaution in hemodialysis condtion.
Children
cautionEnalapril is not recommended for children. The safety and effectivenss of Enalapril has not been established in children due to limited testing of this drug on children by competent authorities across the world. If necessary, your doctor will decide whether to give Enalapril or not.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with a body mass index (BMI) of 19.5-24.9.
- Do regular physical activity or exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week. Doing this can help lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm of Hg.
- Opt for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veggies and low-fat dairy products.
- Limit sodium chloride (table salt) intake in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
- If you are taking alcohol, then only one serving for women and two serving for men is advisable.
- Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
- Avoid chronic stress, as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spend time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily, and if there is too much fluctuation, immediately contact your doctor.
- Including heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to help lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
- If hypotension 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
High blood pressure: Blood pressure is the measurement of the force that our heart uses to pump blood to all parts of the body. Hypertension is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. High blood pressure (hypertension) can cause chest pain (angina), heart attack (when blood supply to the heart is blocked), brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. High blood pressure can be diagnosed with the help of a blood pressure monitor or sphygmomanometer. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is the pressure when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg and, diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg.
FAQs
Enalapril is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
Enalapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It works by inhibiting a chemical in the body that causes blood vessels to constrict. As a result, enalapril relaxes the blood vessels. This decreases blood pressure while increasing the delivery of blood and oxygen to the heart.
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 medicine even after your blood pressure is under control or becomes normal as blood pressure can shot up 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 at any time, take it as soon as you remember, then continue to take 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 stopped or its dose should be lowered. 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 skin and eyes, an increase in 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 a reduced amount of urine, swelling of your legs, ankles, and feet from water retention. While others may experience unexplained shortness of breath, persistent nausea, excessive drowsiness or fatigue, pain, confusion, or pressure in your 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 may reduce the effectiveness of Enalapril. However, please consult your doctor before taking Enalapril with other medicines.
Enalapril starts working within few hours. However, it may take 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 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 it is advised by your doctor. You might need to take it lifelong, until and unless any serious side effect starts bothering and stops you from taking it. However, do not stop taking it without first consulting your doctor.
Yes, Enalapril can be taken for long term as it is generally well tolerated by most people. However, long-term usage of it can sometimes impair your kidneys functioning. Your doctor will recommend regular blood tests to check whether your kidneys are functioning properly or not.
