ENALAPRILAT (Vasotec® IV) is an antihypertensive (blood pressure lowering agent) known as an ACE inhibitor. Enalaprilat controls high blood pressure (hypertension) by relaxing blood vessels; it is not a cure. High blood pressure levels can damage your kidneys, and may lead to a stroke or heart failure. Enalaprilat also helps to treat patients with congestive heart failure (heart does not pump strongly enough).
Treating high blood pressure, heart failure, and other heart problems. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Enalapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It works by helping to relax blood vessels. This helps to lower blood pressure.
Do NOT use Enalapril if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Enalapril or similar medicines (eg, captopril, lisinopril)
you are pregnant
you are taking dextran sulfate or potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, amiloride)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Enalapril :
Some medical conditions may interact with Enalapril. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have or have ever had liver or kidney problems or kidney transplantation
if you are receiving dialysis
if you have bone marrow suppression, low blood counts, low blood sodium, high blood potassium, porphyria (a blood disease), giant hives, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), scleroderma, or a collagen vascular disease
if you have narrowing or hardening of the arteries of the brain or heart, chest pain, or discomfort known as angina
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Enalapril. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because excessive decreases in blood pressure may occur, which may cause dizziness, especially upon standing, or fainting
Dextran sulfate because it may increase the risk of allergic reaction (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue) and lightheadedness upon standing
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, aspirin, indomethacin) because the effectiveness of Enalapril may be decreased and the risk of kidney damage may be increased
Lithium or thiopurines (eg, azathioprine) because the risk of serious side effects may be increased by Enalapril
Oral diabetes medicine (eg, glyburide) because side effects, including a low blood sugar level (eg, hunger, shakiness or weakness, dizziness, headache, sweating), may be increased by Enalapril
Potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, amiloride) may cause high blood potassium levels (eg, listlessness, confusion, abnormal skin sensations of the arms and legs, heaviness of the limbs, slow or irregular heartbeat, or stopping of the heart) when used with Enalapril
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Enalapril may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Enalapril :
Use Enalapril as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Enalapril may be taken with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
If you miss a dose of Enalapril , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Enalapril.
Important safety information:
Enalapril may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Enalapril with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
If vomiting or diarrhea occurs, you will need to take care not to become dehydrated. Contact your doctor for instructions.
Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
Enalapril may not work as well in black patients. They may also be at greater risk of side effects. Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse.
Enalapril may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Enalapril. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Enalapril before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
LAB TESTS, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood counts, may be performed while you use Enalapril. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not take Enalapril after the third month of pregnancy. It may cause injury or death to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Enalapril is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Enalapril , check with your doctor.
Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Enalapril :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome: Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; dizziness or lightheadedness when sitting up or standing; headache; nausea; persistent, dry cough; tiredness; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; hoarseness; infection (fever, sore throat); irregular or slow heartbeat; unusual stomach pain; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
What is the shelf life of the drugs?
The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
Very often our web site visitors ask us about generic medications. In this section we have placed some useful information about generic drugs in general and about the ones we have in our product list. Read more
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