The enalapril belongs to the family of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. This drug is usually used in patients with high blood pressure, although it has been found to be more effective in ischemic heart disease and heart failure. In the same way it is used to treat kidney damage caused by diabetes.
What this medicine does is lower blood pressure by inhibiting the production of angiotensin II. And it is that this substance is responsible for raising blood pressure by stimulating the contraction of blood vessels and increasing the absorption of sodium in the kidney.
When and how should we take enalapril? This drug can interact with other drugs, hence a doctor must adjust the doses and make a strict control depending on the case in question.
For what conditions or diseases is this medicine prescribed?
We are going to tell you when and how should we take enalapril, although remember that the last word should always be the assigned doctor. That said, enalapril is used alone or in combination with other medications used to treat high blood pressure or heart failure. And it is that this drug reduces the performance of those chemical substances that constrict the blood vessels, so that the blood circulates better and the heart pumps more efficiently.
High blood pressure occurs frequently. However, if nothing is done about it, it can cause deterioration in different parts of the body, be it kidneys, blood vessels, heart or brain. This damage can lead to appearance of serious diseases such as strokes, vision loss, heart attacks or heart failure, among other disorders.
Health professionals often prescribe enalapril for control blood pressure, which does not mean that they should not be done Changes in lifestyle of the patient. According to this, the first thing is to add a low-fat and low-salt diet, avoid being overweight, do not smoke, reduce alcohol consumption and play sports for at least 30 minutes a day.
Patients take enalapril by mouth through tablets or orodispersible, which can be ingested before, during or after meals with a glass of water. A single daily dose is usually sufficient, except in patients with heart failure, in which case it could be administered in several doses.
Normally, it begins with a very tight dose, an amount that will be adjusted according to the disease in question and the needs of the patient. The variation in the dose must be supervised at all times by the doctor.
What other uses does this medication have?
Enalapril is sometimes used for treatment of kidney disease that are related to diabetes. However, it is necessary to consult the doctor about the possible risks to which the patient may be subjected after use.
It can be used in other different circumstances, but in this case it is advisable to request more information from a health professional, either the pharmacist or the doctor.
What special precautions should I follow?
Now that we are clear when and how should we take enalaprilYou just have to know what are the most important precautions that you should take into account when taking it:
• It is necessary to consult the pharmacist or doctor if the patient is allergic to enalapril, to any of its components, to other angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or to certain medications. If its composition is not known exactly, it is advisable to ask the pharmacist for a list of the ingredients that are part of this medicine.
• If the patient is taking sacubitril or valsartan, two antihypertensive drugs, it is necessary to tell the doctor or pharmacist. Similarly, if you are diabetic and is taking aliskiren. In both cases, your doctor may advise against continuing to take enalapril.
• Consult your doctor or pharmacist, medicines, products and nutritional supplements taken with or without a prescriptionEither non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, diuretics, or potassium supplements. In these cases, the doctor may change doses or monitor exhaustive in case the patient presents adverse effects.
• Inform the doctor in case of suffer from the following diseases: diabetes, scleroderma (tissue that grows in organs and skin), angiedema (painful swellings and difficulty swallowing or breathing), heart or kidney disease.
• Consult a doctor in case of lactation.
• Inform the doctor if the patient is going to have surgery, even if it’s dental. In this case, inform the dentist that enalapril treatment is being followed.
• In case of diarrhea, vomiting, heavy sweating, or not drinking enough fluids, blood pressure may drop to cause confusion and fainting.
What are the side effects that this medicine could cause?
Treatment with enalapril may lead to some side effects. It is important to be vigilant and notify your doctor if one of these symptoms becomes serious or does not go away on its own:
• dizziness
• rashes
• Weakness and tiredness
• Cough
Some of the consequences of enalapril can become a difficult situation. When the patient presents any of the following symptoms, it is essential to consult a doctor as soon as possible:
• Hoarseness and difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes
• Confusion and fainting
• Own signs of infection such as chills, fever, and sore throat
• Inflammation of certain parts of the body: lips, eyes, tongue, throat, face, hands, feet, ankles, or calves
Enalapril may cause other side effects. In that case, and in the event of any unusual problem that arises, it is advisable to contact the doctor and not self-medicate.
This information does not replace in any case the diagnosis or prescription by a doctor. It is important to go to a specialist when symptoms occur in case of illness and never self-medicate.