Enalapril Pronunciation: e NAH la pril Brand Name: Vasotec -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Important Information Description Who should not take it? How should I take it? What happens if I miss a dose? What happens if I overdose? What should I avoid while taking it? What are the side effects? What other drugs will affect it? Where can I get more information? Brand Names -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is the most important information I should know about enalapril? • Do not take enalapril if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, enalapril can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus. Notify your doctor immediately if you think you might be pregnant. • Enalapril may increase the risk of dangerous allergic reactions. Before taking enalapril, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction that involved swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat or difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop any of these symptoms while taking enalapril. • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Enalapril may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities and notify your doctor. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position. • Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes of fluid loss may lead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting during therapy with enalapril. Maintain proper fluid intake to prevent dehydration and related adverse effects. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is enalapril? • Enalapril is in a class of drugs called angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). • Enalapril is used to lower blood pressure and to prevent and treat heart failure. • Enalapril may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Who should not take enalapril? • Enalapril may increase the risk of dangerous allergic reactions. Before taking enalapril, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction that involved swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat or difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop any of these symptoms while taking enalapril. • Before taking enalapril, tell your doctor if you · have kidney disease; · have liver disease; · are on a salt-restricted diet or have high levels of potassium in your blood; · are taking salt substitutes, potassium supplements (e.g., K-Dur, Klor-Con), or potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone); · have diabetes; · have scleroderma or lupus; or · have any type of heart disease or have had a stroke. • You may not be able to take enalapril, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. • Enalapril is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that enalapril is known to harm an unborn baby. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, enalapril can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus. Do not take enalapril if you are pregnant. • It is not known whether enalapril passes into breast milk. Do not use enalapril without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How should I take enalapril? • Take enalapril exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. • Take each dose with a full glass of water. • Do not stop taking enalapril without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking this medication suddenly, your condition could become worse. • Store enalapril at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What happens if I miss a dose? • Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What happens if I overdose? • Seek emergency medical attention. • Symptoms of an enalapril overdose include extreme dizziness, weakness, fainting, and fatigue. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What should I avoid while taking enalapril? • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Enalapril may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities and notify your doctor. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position. • Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking enalapril. • Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking enalapril except under the supervision of your doctor. • Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes of fluid loss may lead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting during therapy with enalapril. Maintain proper fluid intake to prevent dehydration and related side effects. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What are the possible side effects of enalapril? • If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking enalapril and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment: · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); · difficulty breathing; · little or no urine; · chest pain; · severe dizziness or fainting; or · signs of an infection including a sore throat or a fever. • Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take enalapril and talk to your doctor if you experience · mild dizziness or lightheadedness; · headache; · dry, tickling cough; · numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs; · nausea or diarrhea; · weakness or fatigue; or · a rash. • Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What other drugs will affect enalapril? • Before taking enalapril, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs: · a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others; · salt substitutes that contain potassium; · any of the diuretics (water pills) triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide), spironolactone (Aldactone), or amiloride (Midamor); · any other diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, others), furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), indapamide (Lozol), and others; or · lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others). • You may not be able to take enalapril, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. • Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with enalapril or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Where can I get more information? • Your pharmacist has additional information about enalapril written for health professionals that you may read. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brand Names: • Vasotec From WebMD