Vasotec I.V. (Intravenous)

Enalaprilat injection is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure increases the workload of the heart and arteries. If it lasts for a long time, it can cause the heart and arteries to not work properly. This may 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 may help reduce the chances of these problems.

Enalaprilat works by blocking an enzyme in the body that is needed to make a substance that causes blood vessels to tighten. This helps 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 make sure this medicine is working properly and to check 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 experience lightheadedness during the first few days with 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 the 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 and benefits. For this medicine, keep the following in mind:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other types of allergies, like to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

There have not been appropriate studies on the effects of enalaprilat in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Geriatric

There is no information on the effects of enalaprilat in older adults. However, elderly patients may be more likely to have kidney problems related to aging, which could require a dose adjustment when using enalaprilat.

Breast Feeding

Research in women indicates that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while others may be used together even if there is a chance of interaction. In these cases, your doctor may need to adjust the dose or take other precautions. When you receive this medicine, it is crucial that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are significant but may not be all-inclusive.

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

• Aliskiren
• Sacubitril

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both are prescribed, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of 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 may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both may be the best option for you. If both are prescribed, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of 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 used around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may affect how you use this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

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

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

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine can 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 getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
• 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 may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you ways to prevent or reduce 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, check with 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.