Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide
About Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide
Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide is a prescription combination tablet used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). By keeping your blood pressure within a healthy range, this medicine helps decrease the strain on your heart and blood vessels, lowering the risk of future heart problems.
For the best results, you must take Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide consistently every day. It is usually taken once daily, and you can take it either with or without food. To help this medicine work most effectively, doctors recommend combining it with healthy diet and lifestyle changes, such as reducing salt intake and staying physically active.
While taking Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide, some people may experience mild side effects, such as a dry cough, lightheadedness, or feeling tired. If you notice any serious side effects, such as severe dizziness, fainting, or swelling of your face, lips, or throat, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Do not take this if you are pregnant, as this medicine can cause severe harm to an unborn baby. Before starting Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide, make sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, or a history of severe allergies.
This medicine can interact with alcohol, making you feel more dizzy or lightheaded when standing up. It can also interact with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter painkillers, and potassium supplements. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or elderly individuals must consult their doctor to ensure this medicine is safe for their specific situation.
Uses of Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide
Medicinal Benefits
Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide helps manage high blood pressure by combining two complementary blood pressure-lowering medicines in a single tablet. By providing consistent blood pressure control, it supports long-term cardiovascular health and helps protect vital organs from hypertension-related complications.
- Long-term cardiovascular protection: By consistently keeping your blood pressure in check, Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide lowers your risk of experiencing a life-threatening stroke, heart attack, or kidney damage.
- Convenient combination treatment: Because it contains two active blood pressure-lowering components in a single tablet, Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide simplifies your daily routine, reducing the number of pills you need to take each day.
- Stable 24-hour control: Taking Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide once a day provides stable, round-the-clock blood pressure control, helping you maintain a healthy cardiovascular system throughout the day and night.
Directions for Use
- Take Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide with or without food or as advised by a doctor.
- Recommended to take twice a day or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up quickly
- A dry, tickling cough
- Feeling unusually tired or weak
- Mild headache or nausea
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing
- Severe dizziness or fainting
- Signs of kidney problems, such as a sudden change in urine volume or swelling in your feet and ankles
- Yellowing of your skin or eyes, which may point to liver damage
- Muscle weakness, severe muscle cramps, or an irregular heartbeat
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Stand up slowly from a sitting or lying position to reduce the risk of dizziness and prevent falls.
- Check your blood pressure regularly at home and keep a log to share with your healthcare provider at your next visit.
- Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors, as this medication can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
- Let your surgeon or dentist know you are taking Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide before any medical or dental procedures, as it can interact with certain anaesthetics.
- Avoid taking any potassium supplements or over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen without first consulting your doctor.
Drug Interactions
- Other blood pressure medications: Combining these can lower your blood pressure excessively, causing dizziness or fainting.
- NSAID pain relievers (like ibuprofen): Can reduce the effectiveness of Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide and significantly increase the risk of kidney damage.
- Potassium supplements and potassium-sparing diuretics: Can lead to dangerously high potassium levels in your blood.
- Lithium: Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide can reduce the clearance of lithium from your body, increasing the risk of lithium toxicity.
- Diabetes medications: May require dose adjustments, as this medicine can alter your blood sugar levels.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption with Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure and cause adverse effects such as dizziness, fainting, light-headedness or headache.
Pregnancy
unsafePlease consult a doctor if you are pregnant. Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended for pregnant women, especially in the second and third trimesters as it may cause birth defects or serious harm to the baby.
Breast Feeding
unsafeEnalapril+hydrochlorothiazide may be excreted in human milk. Therefore, Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers as it may be unsafe for the baby. However, please consult a doctor.
Driving
cautionEnalapril+hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness or tiredness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel dizzy or tired after taking Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide.
Liver
cautionEnalapril+hydrochlorothiazide should be given with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Avoid taking Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide if you have severe liver problems.
Kidney
cautionEnalapril+hydrochlorothiazide should be given with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Avoid taking Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide if you have severe kidney problems.
Children
unsafeIt is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Reduce your salt intake: Avoid adding extra salt to your meals and limit processed foods. Lowering sodium in your diet helps support the action of this medicine.
- Stay hydrated: Because this medicine contains a diuretic, make sure to drink an adequate amount of water daily. Consult your doctor about the right amount of fluid for you.
- Avoid potassium-rich salt substitutes: Do not use salt substitutes containing potassium unless your doctor advises you to do so, as they can cause potassium levels in your blood to rise too high.
- Limit alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol can increase the blood pressure-lowering effect of Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide, which can make you feel extremely dizzy or faint.
- Stay active: Engage in regular, moderate exercise such as walking or cycling as approved by your doctor to help improve your heart health.
Special Advise
Regular monitoring of blood pressure, kidney functioning, and amount of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, creatinine, and liver enzyme levels are recommended while taking Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide.
If you are about to take an anti-doping test, please inform your doctor that you are taking Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide as it may give a positive result.
Low salt diet and regular exercise are recommended along with Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide for effective results.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: Blood pressure is the measurement of the heart's force to pump blood to all parts of the body. Hypertension is a chronic condition in which blood pressure is too high. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when blood supply to the heart is blocked). Additionally, high blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. High blood pressure can be diagnosed with the help of a blood pressure monitor or sphygmomanometer. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is the pressure when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg and, diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Normal blood pressure lies in between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg. If the blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or greater, it is considered high blood pressure.
FAQs
Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide contains Enalapril and Hydrochlorothiazide. Enalapril belongs to the class angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors that work by blocking an angiotensin-converting enzyme which decreases the production of angiotensin II in the body that causes constriction and narrowing of blood vessels leading to high blood pressure. Thereby, it widens and relaxes blood vessels. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water tablet) that increases the removal of excess water and certain salts such as sodium and potassium from the blood. This removal of water from blood reduces the fluid volume circulating through blood vessels. Thus, together they lower high blood pressure.
You are not recommended to take furosemide with Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide as co-administration of these two medicines may increase the risk of low blood pressure. However, if you experience dizziness, reduced heart rate, headache or fainting, please consult a doctor immediately. If you are supposed to use these medicines together, you are advised to contact your doctor so that the dose may be adjusted to use safely.
It is advised to inform your doctor if you have had skin cancer or develop an unexpected skin lesion as hydrochlorothiazide in Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide may increase the risk of certain types of skin and lip cancer especially when taken in high doses for a long period. Therefore, it is recommended to protect the skin from UV rays and sun exposure while taking Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide.
No, you are not recommended to take potassium supplements with Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide as it may increase the levels of potassium in the blood (hyperkalaemia). However, please consult a doctor before taking other medicines with Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide.
If you have any kidney problems, it is advised to inform your doctor before taking Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide as Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide may worsen kidney functioning if there is any existing kidney problem. However, if you experience unexplained weight gain, swelling in feet, ankles or hands, please consult your doctor immediately.
You are not recommended to take more than the prescribed dose of Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide as it may cause Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide overdose resulting in symptoms such as low blood pressure, cough, nausea, dizziness, cramps, drowsiness, fast or slow heartbeat, anxiety, increased urination or difficulty in urination. However, if you experience any of these symptoms while taking Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide, please consult a doctor immediately.Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide belongs to a class of medication called 'anti-hypertensive' primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Hypertension is a condition in which the force exerted by the blood against the artery walls becomes so high that it causes health problems, such as heart disease.
No, do not take Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This medicine can cause severe injury or death to an unborn baby. If you suspect you are pregnant, stop taking this medicine immediately and contact your doctor for a safer alternative.
One of the active ingredients in this medicine is a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of excess fluid and sodium. This naturally results in more frequent urination, especially when you first start the medication. Taking your daily dose in the morning can help prevent this from disrupting your sleep.
You should avoid salt substitutes containing potassium, as they can cause unsafe potassium levels in your blood. It is also wise to limit alcohol and high-sodium foods. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for specific dietary advice.
A dry, tickling cough is a known side effect of one of the active components in this medicine. It is usually harmless but can be bothersome. Do not take over-the-counter cough remedies without asking your doctor first, as they are rarely effective for this specific type of cough. Talk to your doctor if the cough is severe.
This medicine can make you feel dizzy or tired, particularly when you first start taking it or after a dose increase. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing tasks that require full mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Talk to your doctor if the dizziness persists.
No, you must not stop taking Enalapril+hydrochlorothiazide without consulting your doctor. High blood pressure is a chronic condition that typically requires long-term management. Stopping the medication abruptly can cause your blood pressure to rise quickly, increasing your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Hot weather can cause you to sweat more, leading to a loss of fluids and a potential drop in blood pressure. This can make you feel unusually dizzy or lightheaded. Drink plenty of water, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and talk to your doctor if you experience persistent
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