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| Pronunciation |
|
 (e
NAL a
pril) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Vasotec®; Vasotec®
I.V. |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo-Enalapril® (Canada); Enaladil (Mexico);
Glioten (Mexico); Renitec (Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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|
- Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. Use during the second
and third trimester (more than 12 weeks pregnant) can cause harm to the baby you
are carrying. Call healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant. Your
medicine will need to be
changed.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to enalapril or any other part of the medicine.
If you are allergic to another angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, talk
with healthcare provider.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Disease of the vessels
(arteries) that take blood to the kidney, primary hyperaldosteronism, idiopathic
or hereditary angioedema.
- If you are more than 12 weeks
pregnant.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is use to treat high blood pressure.
- It improves symptoms produced by a weakened heart and improves left
ventricular dysfunction after a heart attack.
- It is use to protect kidney function in diabetic patients who have
protein loss.
- It is also used to improve symptoms of Raynaud's
syndrome.
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| How does it work? |
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- Enalapril lowers blood pressure by decreasing production of a strong
chemical in the body that increases blood pressure.
- This lowered blood pressure also protects the weakened heart and helps
improve fluid removal from the body.
- Improvements in blood flow through the kidney helps the
diabetic.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Avoid alcohol (includes, wine, beer, and liquor). Can increase blood
pressure.
- If you are diabetic, watch blood sugar. This medicine may decrease
blood sugar. Diabetic medicines may need adjustments.
- Be careful in hot weather. You may see a greater blood pressure
lowering effect.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are taking allopurinol or lithium.
Enalapril may increase side effects of these medicines.
- Avoid potassium-containing salt substitutes, potassium-sparing
diuretics and potassium supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Avoid large doses of aspirin or ibuprofen or like products. They
decrease the effect of this medicine.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Feeling tired or lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or
activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects
you.
- Abnormal taste (metallic, salty, or none). This is usually reversible.
- Dry cough.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Watch for swelling of legs or belly, shortness of breath, weight gain,
exercise tolerance. If any of these worsen tell healthcare provider.
- Report a 3-5 pound weight gain if taking for heart failure.
- Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare
provider.
- Check blood pressure regularly.
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Excessive perspiration, dehydration, vomiting/diarrhea. May lead to
low blood pressure.
- Chest pains, fast heartbeats, shortness of breath, or decreased
ability to walk.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
Protect from moisture.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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