Description
Enalapril maleate belongs to the class of medicines called Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). It works by causing blood vessels to relax, lowering blood pressure and increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.
Enalapril maleate Tablets are used
• To treat high blood pressure (hypertension)
• To treat heart failure (weakening of heart function). It can lower the need to go to hospital and can help some patients live longer.
• To prevent signs of heart failure. The signs include shortness of breath, tiredness after light physical activity such as walking, or swelling of the ankles and feet.
This medicine works by widening your blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure. The medicine usually starts to work within an hour, and the effect lasts for at least 24 hours. Some people will require several weeks of treatment until the best effect on your blood pressure is seen.
Uses / Instructions
Take ONE daily or as directed by your GP.
Warnings
You should let your doctor know:
• If you have a heart problem
• If you have a condition involving the blood vessels in the brain
• If you have a blood problem such as low or lack of white blood cells(neutropenia/agranulocytosis), low blood platelet count (thrombocytopenia) or a decreased number of red blood cells (anaemia)
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction with swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty in swallowing or breathing. You should be aware that black patients are at increased risk of these types of reactions to ACE inhibitors
• If you have a kidney problem (including kidney transplantation). These may lead to higher levels of potassium in your blood which can be serious. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose of Enalapril maleate Tablets or monitor you blood level of potassium
• If you have been very sick (excessive vomiting) or had bad diarrhoea recently
• If you have diabetes. You should monitor your blood for low blood glucose levels, especially during the first month of treatment. The level of potassium in your blood can also be higher
• If you have a liver problem or develop jaundice (yellowing of the skin and white of the eye)
• If you are having dialysis
• If you are over 70 years of age
• If you have low blood pressure (you may notice this as faintness or dizziness, especially when standing)
• If you have collagen vascular disease (e.g. lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma), are on therapy that suppresses immune system, are taking drugs allopurinol or procainamide, or any combinations of these
• If you think you are (or might become) pregnant. Enalapril maleate Tablets are not recommended in early pregnancy, and must not be taken if you are more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used at that stage (see Pregnancy section)
• If you are taking any of the following medicines used to treat high blood pressure:
– an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARBs) (also known as sartans – for example valsartan, telmisartan, irbesartan), in particular if you have diabetes-related kidney problems.
– aliskiren
• If you are taking any of the following medicines, the risk of angiodema may be increased:
– Racecadotril, a medicine used to treat diarrhoea;
– Medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection or for cancer (e.g., temsirolimus, sirolimus, everlimus)
– Vildagliptin, a medicine used to treat diabetes.
Your doctor may check your kidney function, blood pressure, and the amount of electrolytes (e.g., potassium) in your blood at regular intervals.
Side Effects
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
• Feeling dizzy, weak or sick
• Blurred vision
• Cough
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
• Diarrhoea or abdominal pain, rash
• Headache, fainting (syncope)
• Low blood pressure, changes in heart rhythm, fast heartbeat, angina or chest pain
• Weakness or fatigue, depression
• Increased potassium level, increased levels of creatinine in your blood (both are detected by a test)
• Change in sense of taste, shortness of breath
For a full list of side effects see the patient information leaflet.
Ingredients
The active ingredient is Enalapril
For a list of other ingredients see the patient information leaflet of the pack you receive as different brands have different other ingredients.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.