There are two main questions that concern those who purchase Enalapril in a pharmacy: what helps the drug and can it be replaced with anything? This medicine is often prescribed in the treatment of myocardial infarction, however, its scope is much wider. In what cases can these miracle pills be useful to you?

Release forms and composition

The drug Enalapril is produced by pharmaceutical companies only in the form of tablets. Appearance of each standard: white color, dividing risk in the middle.

There are several dosage options:

  • 5 mg;
  • 10 mg;
  • 20 mg

In other words, each tablet contains the indicated amount of the active ingredient, namely enalapril maleate. In addition to it, there are such auxiliary substances as lactose monohydrate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch in pre-gelatinized form, as well as a small amount of croscarmellose sodium and magnesium stearate.

What helps enalapril

Indications for the use of this medication are due to the fact that its main component has the property of lowering blood pressure. Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor, respectively, it is used for diseases associated with high blood pressure.

It is prescribed in the following cases:

  • with hypertension, that is, with a long-term increase in blood pressure;
  • with chronic heart failure;
  • in violation of the functions of the heart valve;
  • as a preventive measure for the development of ischemic disease to prevent myocardial infarction;
  • with sciatica;
  • with problems with blood circulation in various internal organs, especially in the kidneys;
  • Enalapril tablets are also often prescribed for the first manifestation of increased pressure.

To understand why the doctor prescribed you this drug, you should understand the features of its effect on the body. Objectively speaking, this drug is not a medicine in itself. But with his presence, an active substance is synthesized - enalaprilat, which affects the chemical interactions between enzymes. As a result, blood vessels dilate and blood pressure decreases.

This effect has a positive effect on the heart. This is especially true for those who suffer from heart failure. As the vessels expand, the heart can work with less load, while passing through a larger volume of blood flow. This increases the body's resistance to stress.

If your heart failure is mild or even moderate, then regular use of Enalapril will not only slow down its further strengthening, but it will also lead to an almost normal lifestyle over time.

And in the event that chronic heart failure has already developed, prolonged use of this drug will help the heart to grow stronger and increase its resistance to physical stress. Simultaneous following the recommendations on maintaining the necessary rate of daily physical activity (primarily walking) over time will lead to a decrease in the severity of heart failure. In addition, enalapril significantly reduces the risk of myocardial infarction.

It is important that enalapril is constantly present in the body. This means that you need to drink it regularly, avoiding passes.

Instructions for use and dosage

Enalapril tablets can be taken both after meals and on an empty stomach.

But the initial dose of the drug depends on the nature of the disease:

  • If treatment with high blood pressure is carried out only by enalapril, then first you need to drink 5 mg per day for 1-2 weeks. It is best to take the medicine in the morning. If you tolerate it well, but the result is weak, you can add every week under another tablet, up to 40 mg per day, divided into two doses. After the appearance of a positive effect, a maintenance dose is prescribed for prolonged treatment. For each person, it is selected individually, taking into account blood pressure indicators. As a rule, 10-20 mg of the drug is prescribed twice a day.
  • If you know that the increase in pressure is due to narrowing of the renal artery (or otherwise, renovascular hypertension), then the initial proportion of enalapril should not exceed 2.5 mg (especially for this case, there is a separation risk that allows you to easily break the tablet in half). After a week, the volume of medication can be increased if necessary. The maximum daily amount of the drug is 20 mg.
  • In the case when at first diuretic (diuretic) drugs were used to lower the pressure, enalapril can be taken only 2-3 days after their cancellation. If they are still needed, then you can drink Enalapril, but in a minimum amount - 2.5 mg per day. The maintenance amount of the drug is determined based on the general state of health. But at the same time, the largest daily dose is 20 mg. These measures are necessary to avoid excessive loss of fluid and sodium by the body.
  • For the treatment of chronic heart failure, 2.5 mg of enalapril is first prescribed (i.e. ½ tablets once a day). After 2-3 days, the dose can be increased to 5 or 7.5 mg.Given the level of blood pressure and the general condition, it is necessary to increase the daily dose of the drug until the body is able to tolerate the drug normally. In this case, you must not exceed the maximum allowable daily amount of enalapril, which is also 40 mg, taken for 1 or 2 approaches.
  • In the case when the upper blood pressure is less than 110 mmHg (i.e., low systolic blood pressure), and enalapril is necessary, treatment is started with the smallest daily dose - 1.25 mg. Then, gradually, over the course of several weeks or one month, the most suitable dose is selected according to the action. But if circumstances require, then the period for establishing the optimal amount of the drug can be slightly reduced. With such problems, the daily dose of Enalapril, which supports the heart in a satisfactory condition, ranges from 5 to 20 mg per day. However, given the danger of excessive pressure drop in this situation, it is better not to rely entirely on the instructions for use, but consult a doctor for help in choosing the right dosage.
  • For older people, the initial dose of enalapril should be minimal, i.e. 1.25 mg per day. This is due to the fact that with age, the period of elimination of the drug from the body lengthens. And accordingly, its effect is increasing.
  • In chronic renal failure, the dose of enalapril directly depends on the level of creatinine. Admission should be carried out under medical supervision.

This medication is intended for prolonged use. In the event that a sharp decrease in blood pressure occurs, the daily dose of the drug must be gradually reduced.

During pregnancy and lactation

Studies have shown that enalapril has a negative effect on both the developing fetus and the newborn. Therefore, it can not be taken throughout pregnancy and subsequent breastfeeding.

The harmful effect is due to the fact that the drug inhibits the natural conversion of enzymes. As a result, damage to various organs occurs, leading to serious illness and even fetal death.

Enalapril easily passes into breast milk and can cause a sharp decrease in blood pressure and other complications in an infant. Therefore, in the case when enalapril is vital for the mother, natural feeding will have to be stopped.

Drug interaction

Despite the fact that enalapril helps with many problems with pressure, it is necessary to combine it with other drugs with extreme caution. The effect on the body of different drugs in this case changes.

Some substances increase Enalapril's ability to lower blood pressure.

These include:

  • diuretic (i.e. diuretic) drugs;
  • antihypertensive drugs, for example, Methyldopa;
  • opium-based painkillers;
  • anesthesia in all forms;
  • alcohol, even in small quantities;
  • Hydralazine;
  • Prazonin.

There are those drugs that weaken the effect of enalapril. Among them:

Indomethacin;

  • antipyretic of all kinds;
  • Orlistat;
  • painkillers;
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

But Enalapril itself, in turn, can reduce the effect on the body of drugs with theophylline.

With a single dose with drugs such as Spironolactone, Triamteren, Amiloride, Co-Trimoxazole, there is a danger of an increase in the level of potassium in the blood.

Conversely, the presence of enalapril enhances the effect on the body of such drugs as:

  • Insulin;
  • Interleukin-3;
  • Clomipramine;
  • drugs with lithium carbonate.

And when interacting with procainamide and substances that inhibit the immune system, the risk of developing leukopenia increases.

In any case, when you have to take several drugs at the same time, it is better to consult a doctor in order to avoid complications.

Contraindications, side effects and overdose

Despite the fact that enalapril helps with many problems of the cardiovascular system, in some situations it can not be used.

These include:

  • narrowing of the renal arteries;
  • porphyria, that is, an increased content of red bodies in the blood;
  • history of angioedema;
  • high potassium in the blood;
  • acute sensitivity to the drug;
  • pregnancy and lactation;
  • age less than 18 years;
  • diabetes mellitus or renal failure if Aliskiren is used.

It should be noted that taking Enalapril tablets may be accompanied by some side effects:

  • dizziness
  • fatigue;
  • headache;
  • dry mouth

pain in the heart;

  • nausea
  • diarrhea or constipation;
  • impaired liver function;
  • the appearance of dry cough.

However, the likelihood of these symptoms is small. But as a result of exceeding the recommended dosage of the drug, complications such as:

  • lowering blood pressure to a dangerous level;
  • collapse;
  • myocardial infarction;
  • cerebrovascular accident;
  • cramps
  • stupor.

First aid in this condition can be provided even before the arrival of the ambulance team:

  1. Lay the victim on a flat surface so that the head is at or slightly below body level.
  2. If the tablets are swallowed recently, organize a gastric lavage.
  3. Give a glass or a little more saline.

Analogues of the drug

There are many drugs that contain, in addition to enalapril maleate, other excipients that enhance the action of the active substance.

Such substitutes include:

  • Enam;
  • Renetek;
  • Vazolapril;
  • Enarenal;
  • Corandil;
  • Envas;
  • Bagopril and some others.

In addition, there are analogues of enalapril, similar to it by the mechanism of action, but containing other active substances. These include:

  • Captopril (unlike Enalapril, it must be absorbed under the tongue, so it acts faster);
  • Zofenopril;
  • Trandolapril;
  • Hinapril and others

These drugs are a real salvation for those who are allergic to the active substance Enalapril or for other reasons can not use this drug.

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