Enalaprilat (Intravenous)

Enalaprilat injection is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure increases the workload on the heart and arteries. If it lasts for a long time, the heart and arteries may not work properly. This can harm the blood vessels in the brain, heart, and kidneys, leading to a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure can also raise the risk of heart attacks. Controlling blood pressure can help reduce the chances of these issues.

Enalaprilat works by blocking an enzyme in the body that is needed to make a substance that causes blood vessels to tighten. This allows the blood vessels to relax. As a result, blood pressure goes down and more blood and oxygen reach the heart.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to ensure this medicine is working properly and to look for unwanted effects.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have swelling of the face, arms, legs, eyes, lips, or tongue, or problems with swallowing or breathing. These are symptoms of a condition called angioedema.

You may feel lightheaded during the first few days of taking this medicine. If this becomes severe and you faint, talk to your doctor right away.

Tell your doctor immediately if you have any signs of infection such as chills, sore throat, or fever. These may be symptoms of an immune system condition called neutropenia.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Check with your doctor right away if you have symptoms of jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) because these may be signs of a serious liver condition.

This medicine may increase the amount of potassium in your blood. Do not use salt substitutes containing potassium without first checking with your doctor.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks of the medicine compared to the benefits it will provide. For this medicine, think about the following:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, inform your health care professional about any other allergies you may have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

There have not been any appropriate studies on how enalaprilat affects children. Its safety and effectiveness have not been established for this age group.

Geriatric

There is no information on how enalaprilat affects older adults. However, older patients are more likely to have age-related kidney issues, which may require a change in dose for those taking enalaprilat.

Breast Feeding

Studies suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together. In other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction could happen. Your doctor may adjust doses or take other precautions if needed. It’s especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are highlighted for their potential significance but are not a complete list.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Aliskiren
• Sacubitril

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of use for one or both medicines.

• Allopurinol
• Alteplase, Recombinant
• Amiloride
• Aspirin
• Azathioprine
• Azilsartan
• Azilsartan Medoxomil
• Candesartan
• Canrenoate
• Eplerenone
• Eprosartan
• Everolimus
• Furosemide
• Interferon Alfa-2a
• Irbesartan
• Levoketoconazole
• Lithium
• Losartan
• Melphalan
• Mercaptopurine
• Methotrexate
• Olmesartan
• Oxypurinol
• Potassium Citrate
• Potassium Phosphate
• Sirolimus
• Spironolactone
• Tacrolimus
• Telmisartan
• Triamterene
• Trimethoprim
• Valsartan

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of use for one or both medicines.

• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Bromfenac
• Bufexamac
• Bumetanide
• Bupivacaine
• Bupivacaine Liposome
• Capsaicin
• Celecoxib
• Choline Salicylate
• Clomipramine
• Clonixin
• Dexibuprofen
• Dexketoprofen
• Diclofenac
• Diflunisal
• Dipyrone
• Droxicam
• Ethacrynic Acid
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Etoricoxib
• Etozolin
• Felbinac
• Fenoprofen
• Fepradinol
• Feprazone
• Floctafenine
• Flufenamic Acid
• Flurbiprofen
• Gold Sodium Thiomalate
• Ibuprofen
• Indomethacin
• Ketoprofen
• Ketorolac
• Lornoxicam
• Loxoprofen
• Lumiracoxib
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Meloxicam
• Morniflumate
• Nabumetone
• Naproxen
• Nepafenac
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
• Oxaprozin
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Parecoxib
• Phenylbutazone
• Piketoprofen
• Piretanide
• Piroxicam
• Pranoprofen
• Proglumetacin
• Propionic Acid
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Rifampin
• Rofecoxib
• Salicylic Acid
• Salsalate
• Sodium Salicylate
• Sulindac
• Tenoxicam
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Torsemide
• Valdecoxib

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or certain types of food, as interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional about the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure to tell your doctor about any other medical problems, especially:

• Angioedema, history of—May increase the risk of this condition occurring again.

• Dehydration or
• Diarrhea or
• Heart failure or
• Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) or
• Kidney disease—These conditions may cause blood pressure to fall too low with enalaprilat.

Along with its benefits, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they might need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse right away if any of the following side effects happen:

Less common

• Blurred vision
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when standing up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

• Chest pain or discomfort
• nausea
• pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back, or neck
• shortness of breath
• vomiting

Some side effects might happen that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away as your body gets used to the medicine. Your health care professional may also have ways to help prevent or lessen some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Headache

Rare

• Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• dizziness
• fever
• rash

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, talk to your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Vasotec I.V.

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antihypertensive

Pharmacologic Class: ACE Inhibitor

In addition to the use of this medicine, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and changes in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium. Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet.

Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.

Remember that this medicine will not cure your high blood pressure but it does help control it. Therefore, you must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.