Enalapril (Maleate)
Enalapril (Maleate) Information

About Enalapril (Maleate)

Enalapril (Maleate) is ACE inhibitor. It prevents the conversion of certain enzymes in the body and prevents contraction of blood vessels. It decreases the blood pressure and makes the heart beat stronger. Enalapril (Maleate) is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure or in diabetic patients to prevent kidney problems.

Indications

Enalapril (Maleate) is primarily indicated in conditions like Congestive heart failure, Diabetic retinopathy, Essential hypertension, Heart failure (adjunct), Hypertension, Left ventricular dysfunction, NSAID-associated gastric and duodenal ulcers, Renal hypertension, Severe or recurrent duodenal and gastric ulcertion, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Essential and renovascular hypertension.

Contraindication

Enalapril (Maleate) is contraindicated in conditions like Angioneurotic edema,Aortic stenosis,Bilateral renal artey stenosis.

Side Effects

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Enalapril (Maleate), which give rise to further complications include Hepatotoxicity, Anaphylactoid reactions, Vasculitis, Angioedema, Neutropenia, Acute renal failure, Hepatotoxicity, Angioedema.The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Enalapril (Maleate) include Hypotension.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Enalapril (Maleate) are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Dizziness, Fatigue, Rashes, Dry cough, Taste disturbances, Azotemia, dizziness.

Warnings

Enalapril should be used with caution in patients of renal insufficiency, severe liver dysfunction, hypervolemia, angioedema and in pre-existing bone marrow depression. Enalapril therapy can cause neutropenia or agranulocytosis. Patients with renal disease, patients with immunosuppression or receiving immunosuppressives, and patients with collagen vascular disease or autoimmune disease are at a greater risk for developing these complications. The dose should be adjusted in patients with renal impairment. It should be used cautiously in patients with congestive heart failure. Initial doses should be lower than in the treatment of hypertension becauseof a greater risk of developing hypotension. It should not be administered to patients with pre-existing renal artery stenosis. Renal function should be monitored closely during the first 2 weeks after initiating therapy. It should be discontinued if renal function worsens acutely. Other types of renal disease can actually improve during Enalapril therapy. The dose should be adjusted in patients with renal impairment. It should be used with caution patients with hyperkalemia. It is classified as pregnancy category C and should be used with caution during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Paediatrics, Pregnant Mothers, Geriatrics, and Neonates.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.