Home :: Vasotec

Vasotec Medication (Enalapril maleate) - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Enalapril maleate

ENALAPRIL (Vasotec®) is an antihypertensive act as blood pressure lowering agent known as an ACE inhibitor. Enalapril controls high blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. High blood pressure levels can damage your kidneys, and may lead to a stroke or heart failure. Enalapril also helps to treat patients with congestive heart failure (heart does not pump strongly enough). You can use Enalapril alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. It is also used in combination with other medications to treat heart failure.

Vasotec Dosage

• For High Blood Pressure treatment, the usual starting dose for people that not using diuretics is 5 milligrams, taken once a day.
• The usual dose is 10 to 40 milligrams per day, taken as a single dose or divided into 2 smaller doses.
• To Treat Heart Failure, this medication can be used in conjunction with digitalis and diuretics in people with heart disease. The usual starting dose is 2.5 milligrams twice a day.

Uses of Vasotec

• Vasotec is used to lower blood pressure and to prevent and treat heart failure.
• Enalapril is also sometimes used to treat kidney disease related to diabetes.

Side Effects of Vasotec

If you are using Vasotec, then discuss the side effects of Vasotec with your doctor and if you feel any change in intensity, then tell your doctor immediately. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Vasotec. Side effects of Vasotec may include:

• Abdominal pain
• angioedema
• asthma
• blisters
• blood abnormalities
• blurred vision
• breast enlargement in males
• bronchitis

Warnings and precautions before taking Vasotec:

• You should not be used this medication if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have history of an allergic reaction such as included swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat (angioedema).
• If you are taking this medicine, then it may cause dizzy or sleepy. So do not perform any activities that require alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages.
• Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.

Drug Interaction:- If you are taking certain drugs with Vasotec, then it may be increased, decreased, or altered the effects of Vasotec. So it is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Vasotec with the following:

• Diuretics such as Lasix and HydroDIURIL
• Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Motrin, and
• Naprosyn
• Potassium-containing salt substitutes

Overdose

After taking Vasotec, If you feel that overdose is suspected, then contact with your doctor immediately. Symptoms of Vasotec overdose may includes:

• dizziness
• weakness
• fainting
• fatigue