Enalapril

Enalapril is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. It is also used in combination with other medications to treat heart failure. Enalapril is in a class of medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It works by decreasing certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels, so blood flows more smoothly and the heart can pump blood more efficiently.

Enalapril comes as an immediate and extended release tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. To help you remember to take enalapril, take it around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take enalapril exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of enalapril and gradually increase your dose. Enalapril controls high blood pressure and heart failure but does not cure them. Continue to take enalapril even if you feel well. Do not stop taking enalapril without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Enalapril may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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cough</li>
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dizziness</li>
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rash</li>
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weakness</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

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swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li>
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hoarseness</li>
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difficulty breathing or swallowing</li>
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yellowing of the skin or eyes</li>
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fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection</li>
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lightheadedness</li>
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fainting</li></ul>Enalapril may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking enalapril, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to enalapril, benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), trandolapril (Mavik), or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin (Indocin); diuretics ('water pills'); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); and potassium supplements. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart or kidney disease; lupus; scleroderma; diabetes; or angioedema, a condition that causes difficulty swallowing or breathing and painful swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking enalapril. you should know that diarrhea, vomiting, not drinking enough fluids, and sweating a lot can cause a drop in blood pressure, which may cause lightheadedness and fainting.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms of overdose may include:

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lightheadedness</li>
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fainting</li></ul>