Enalapril: what it is for and how to take it

Enalapril, or enalapril maleate, is a medicine indicated for the treatment of high blood pressure or heart failure, as it works by dilating blood vessels, which helps the heart to function better and pump blood more easily to all parts of the body. body.

This medicine can be found in pharmacies or drugstores in the form of 5, 10 and 20 mg tablets, under the trade names Renitec, Vasopril or Angiopril, for example, or as a generic under the name “enalapril maleate”. Furthermore, this remedy can be found in association with another substance, hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic that increases urine elimination, enhancing the effect of enalapril.

Enalapril should only be used with medical advice, in the doses and for the duration of treatment advised by the doctor.

What is it for

Enalapril is indicated for the treatment or prevention of heart failure, and for controlling blood pressure, as it helps to relax the veins and arteries, facilitating the pumping of blood by the heart and reducing blood pressure. Furthermore, it is indicated to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and hospitalizations for angina in people with left ventricular dysfunction.

This medicine should always be used with medical indication and guidance according to the condition to be treated, in the doses and for the duration of treatment established by the doctor.

How to drink

Enalapril should be used orally, with a glass of water, during or between meals.

The doses of enalapril typically recommended for adults depend on the condition being treated and include:

• High pressure: the normally recommended dose is 10 to 20 mg of enalapril per day, in a single dose, or as per medical advice
• Cardiac insufficiency: the recommended starting dose is 2.5 mg once a day. This dose can be increased by the doctor gradually, until reaching the ideal dose. Generally, the dose of enalapril for prolonged use varies between 20 and 40 mg per day.

The onset of action of enalapril is approximately 1 hour after taking it orally, with maximum effect within 2 to 4 hours, but which lasts for at least 24 hours.

Possible side effects

The most common side effects that may occur during treatment with enalapril are dizziness, headache, tiredness, weakness, diarrhea, nausea, cramps, cough or tiredness. Furthermore, enalapril can cause dizziness, especially when standing up quickly, due to the sudden drop in blood pressure.

Enalapril can cause serious allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention. Therefore, you should stop treatment and seek the nearest emergency room if you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, chest pain, feeling of a closed throat, swelling in the mouth, tongue, face, hands, feet or ankles, or urticaria. Know how to identify the symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Who shouldn’t use

Enalapril should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or by people who have diabetes and are being treated with aliskiren.

Furthermore, this medicine should not be used by people who are allergic to enalapril or any of the tablet’s components, or allergic to other medicines in the same class, such as captopril, ramipril and lisinopril, for example.