(e-NAL-a-pril)

NEWLY DISCOVERED USES (OFF-LABEL)
Diabetic nephropathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, membranous nephropathy, polydipsia, pulmonary edema

ORIGINAL USES (ON-LABEL)
Mild to severe blood pressure, congestive heart failure, post-heart attack

BRAND NAME
Vasotec, Vasotec I.V.

DRUG CLASS
Blood pressure medication

DESCRIPTION
Enalapril lowers blood pressure by inhibiting the production of chemicals that cause blood vessels to constrict. It also may cause the brain to release hormones that lower blood pressure.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Chest pain, too low blood pressure (especially after first dose), cough, fainting, headache, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, rash, abnormal taste, nausea, shortness of breath.

CAUTIONS
  • Do not use if you have had tongue, lip, throat, or mouth swelling (symptoms of angioedema) after taking other drugs in the same class, or if you have these symptoms unrelated to drug therapy. Angioedema can occur at any time during treatment, but especially following the first dose. Report symptoms to your doctor.
  • Do not use with certain kidney problems (kidney artery stenosis, decreased kidney function).
  • Do not use in pregnancy (second and third trimesters).
  • Avoid rapid dosage increases, which may lead to kidney problems.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Potassium supplements, cotrimoxazole (high dose), angiotension II receptor antagonists (candesartan, losartan, irbesartan, etc.) or potassium sparing diuretics (amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene), digoxin, lithium, and certain drugs used to treat diabetes (sulfonylureas). Aspirin (high doses) may aggravate the beneficial effects of this drug.

FOOD INTERACTIONS
Unknown

HERBAL INTERACTIONS
St John’s wort, capsaicin, dong quai, ephedra, yohimbe, ginseng, large amounts of natural licorice

PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING CAUTIONS
FDA Pregnancy Risk Category C/D (not for use in second and third trimesters, may cause injury and death to fetus). Excreted in breast milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers this drug compatible with breast-feeding.

SPECIAL INFORMATION
Report any vomiting, diarrhea, excessive perspiration, or dehydration to your physician. If any swelling of the face, lips, extremities, lips, tongue, throat, or difficulty in breathing occurs or if persistent cough develops it should be reported, too.

This drug has a black box warning regarding potential injury to fetus during second and third trimester.
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