Enalapril is used on its own or together with other medicines to help keep your blood pressure under control. This medicine relaxes your blood vessels and this helps to lower your blood pressure.
Enalapril may also be used to treat other conditions such as heart failure.
Take Enalapril exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Enalapril must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have previously experienced a serious allergic reaction which causes swelling of the face and throat due to an unknown reason or a family history, as Enalapril may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. Enalapril may cause harm to your unborn child. You must use proven birth control methods while taking this medicine.
Do not take Enalapril with aliskiren (medicine used to treat high blood pressure) if you have diabetes or kidney disease; and within 36 hours after last dose of sacubitril/valsartan (medicine used to treat long-term heart failure).
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease such as narrowing of the valves of the heart
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- diabetes
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.
If you are going for an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Enalapril.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. kidney function, electrolyte levels, blood count) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine.
- Your blood pressure may rise to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure during treatment.
Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my blood pressure?
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help control your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Engage in physical activity like walking for at least 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. If you have not exercised for a long time, start with light exercises such as slow walks. Speak to your doctor about what type of exercise would be suitable for you. Follow a healthy diet plan by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products and reduce your intake of foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Cutting down on deep-fried foods and using less salt when cooking can kick-start your healthy diet.
If you smoke, you should try to quit. Smoking is harmful to your blood pressure, heart and overall health. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to stop your smoking habit.
Enalapril may cause dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
You may also feel dizzy when getting up from a sitting or lying down position, especially if you are taking this medicine for the very first time. This is common and should disappear gradually as you get used to Enalapril. It will help if you get up slowly from a sitting or lying position. If you are taking this medicine for the very first time, take the first dose of Enalapril at bedtime to minimise dizziness.
Other side effects include any of the following: dry cough, headache, blurred vision, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhoea, altered taste, tiredness and weakness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of hands, legs, face, or mouth
- difficulty in breathing
- chest pain
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes with stomach pain, persistent tiredness, nausea or vomiting
- fever with persistent sore throat or mouth ulcers
This medicine may cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, or a cough or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Enalapril with the following medicines:
- aliskiren (medicine used to treat high blood pressure) if you have diabetes
- sacubitril/valsartan (medicines used to treat long-term heart failure)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicine for mood disorders e.g. lithium
- other medicines for high blood pressure e.g. doxazosin, prazosin, hydralazine
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, celecoxib
- medicines for diabetes e.g. insulin, metformin, glibenclamide, gliclazide, glipizide
- water pill or medicine for water retention e.g. spironolactone, eplerenone, amiloride
- potassium supplements (either as a medicine or as a salt substitute)
- medicines for chest pain e.g. nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. sirolimus, everolimus
- gold therapy e.g. Na aurothiomalate (medicines for arthritis)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Enalapril.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid taking too much food that is high in potassium, such as orange juice, bananas or prunes. Do not use salt substitutes that contain potassium.
Cut down on your salt intake This may help lower your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Discuss with your doctor or dietitian about ways to cut down on your salt intake.
Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol. You may speak with your doctor if you have a drinking problem.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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