Enalapril brands and prices in Pakistan

About Enalapril

Enalapril is a prescription medicine from a group called ACE inhibitors. It makes blood vessels relax and widen. This lowers blood pressure and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body. It comes as tablets, as a liquid, and as tablets that melt in the mouth. It controls high blood pressure and heart failure but does not cure them, so it is usually taken long term.

Who should not take it, or should take care

• Do not take it if you have ever had an allergy to enalapril or any other ACE inhibitor.
• Do not take it if you have had angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat) with no known cause, or the inherited kind.
• Do not take it if you have taken, or are taking, the heart failure medicine sacubitril with valsartan, because the risk of angioedema goes up. Your doctor will tell you how long a gap is needed when switching.
• Do not take it with aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine) if you have diabetes or kidney problems.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, a kidney transplant, or have dialysis.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, heart problems, or a problem with the blood vessels in your brain.
• Tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Your blood sugar and potassium may need closer checking, especially when you start.
• Tell your doctor if you have lupus, scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis, take medicines that lower your immune system, or have a blood disorder.
• Tell your doctor if you have low blood pressure, are on a low-salt diet, or have recently had bad vomiting or diarrhoea.
• Tell your doctor if you are going to have an operation or dental treatment, LDL apheresis (a treatment that removes cholesterol from the blood), or treatment to reduce allergy to bee or wasp stings.
• People with Black skin have a higher chance of angioedema, and enalapril may lower blood pressure less well for them.
• Pregnancy: enalapril is not used in pregnancy because it can harm the baby's development. It must not be taken later in pregnancy. Tell your doctor straight away if you are pregnant, might be, or are planning a baby, so they can switch you to another medicine.
• Breastfeeding: NHS says it can often be used, as only small amounts pass into breast milk. The UK and Irish leaflets say it is not recommended while feeding a newborn (especially a premature baby). Ask your doctor.
• Children: NHS says most children can take it, but the UK leaflet says experience in children is limited and it is not recommended for newborns or children with kidney problems. A doctor will decide.

Medicines and drinks that can interact

• Sacubitril with valsartan: do not take together
• Aliskiren and other blood pressure medicines such as sartans (ARBs), beta-blockers and water tablets (diuretics) like furosemide
• Potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes and potassium-sparing water tablets, which can raise potassium in the blood to a dangerous level
• Trimethoprim and co-trimoxazole (antibiotics), heparin and ciclosporin, which can also raise potassium
• Lithium (a mental health medicine)
• Anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen, and aspirin
• Diabetes medicines, including insulin, as blood sugar may drop
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, and antipsychotic medicines
• Some cough, cold and weight-loss medicines that contain sympathomimetics (decongestant-type medicines)
• Gold injections for arthritis
• Sirolimus, everolimus and temsirolimus, racecadotril and vildagliptin, which can raise the risk of angioedema
• Clot-dissolving medicines (thrombolytics)
• Some antivirals such as aciclovir and some antibiotics such as cefalexin (listed by NHS)
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine, herbal remedy, vitamin or supplement you take.

Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, supplement and herbal product you take.

Using it safely

• Take it exactly as your doctor tells you, and keep taking it even if you feel well.
• You can take it with or without food. Swallow tablets with a drink of water. Use the syringe that comes with the liquid. Let mouth-melting tablets dissolve under your tongue or inside your cheek.
• If you forget a dose, follow the leaflet that came with your medicine. Never take two doses together to make up for one you missed.
• Vomiting, diarrhoea, heavy sweating or not drinking enough can make your blood pressure drop too low. Get advice from a pharmacist or doctor if this happens.
• Talk to your doctor before using salt substitutes, because many contain potassium.
• Keep alcohol low, as it can make your blood pressure drop and make you dizzy.
• Do not drive, cycle or use machines if you feel dizzy or sleepy.
• Go to your blood pressure checks and blood tests. Your doctor may check your kidneys and potassium.
• Do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.
• If you take too much, get medical help straight away and take the medicine pack with you. Keep it out of the reach of children and return unused medicine to a pharmacy.

Common questions

Why do I have a dry cough?
A dry cough is a very common side effect of enalapril and other ACE inhibitors. Do not stop the medicine on your own. Tell your doctor if the cough bothers you, as they may be able to change your medicine.

Can I drink alcohol while taking enalapril?
NHS advice is to limit alcohol. Alcohol can add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect and make you dizzy or faint.

Do I need to keep taking it if I feel fine?
Yes. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Enalapril controls blood pressure and heart failure but does not cure them, so keep taking it unless your doctor says otherwise.

Is enalapril safe in pregnancy?
No. It can harm the baby, so it is not used in pregnancy. If you are planning a baby or find out you are pregnant, tell your doctor straight away so they can switch you to a safer medicine.

Do I need to tell the dentist or surgeon?
Yes. Tell your surgeon, dentist or anaesthetist that you take enalapril before any operation, anaesthetic or dental treatment.

Prepared from the sources listed by the MedInfoBase team. General information, not medical advice: it gives no doses. Your doctor or pharmacist decides the medicine and dose for you.