How should this medicine be used?
Enalapril comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a 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.
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.
What special precautions should I follow?
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 drugs.
* tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially aspirin or other non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diuretics ('water pills'), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), other medications for high blood pressure, potassium supplements, and vitamins.
* tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart or kidney disease, diabetes, or angioedema, a condition that causes hives, difficulty breathing, and painful swelling of the face, lips, throat, tongue, hands, or feet.
* tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. Enalapril may pass into breast milk and harm infants. Talk to your doctor about stopping to breast-feed if you take enalapril.
* if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking enalapril.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Enalapril may cause an upset stomach. Take enalapril with food or milk.
Talk to your doctor before using salt substitutes containing potassium. If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from enalapril are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
* headache
* dizziness or lightheadedness
* excessive tiredness
* cough
* upset stomach
* diarrhea
* loss of taste sensation
* unusual bruising
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
* swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
* difficulty breathing or swallowing
* fainting
* rash
* yellowing of the skin or eyes
* fever, sore throat, and other signs of infection