VASOTEC (Enapril Maleate)

What is Vasotec and how is it used?

Vasotec is a prescription medicine used to treat symptoms of high blood pressure (hypertension), left ventricular dysfunction, and congestive heart failure. Vasotec may be used alone or with other medications.

• Vasotec belongs to a class of drugs called ACE Inhibitors.
• It is not known if Vasotec is safe and effective in children younger than 1 month of age.

What are the possible side effects of Vasotec?

Vasotec may cause serious side effects including:

• lightheadedness,
• chest pain,
• yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice),
• little or no urination,
• fever,
• chills,
• sore throat,
• nausea,
• weakness,
• tingly feeling,
• irregular heartbeats, and
• loss of movement

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

The most common side effects of Vasotec include:

• dizziness,
• tiredness, and
• lightheadedness

Tell the doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Hypertension

In patients who are currently being treated with a diuretic, symptomatic hypotension occasionally may occur following the initial dose of VASOTEC. The diuretic should, if possible, be discontinued for two to three days before beginning therapy with VASOTEC to reduce the likelihood of hypotension . If the patient’s blood pressure is not controlled with VASOTEC alone, diuretic therapy may be resumed.

If the diuretic cannot be discontinued an initial dose of 2.5 mg should be used under medical supervision for at least two hours and until blood pressure has stabilized for at least an additional hour .

The recommended initial dose in patients not on diuretics is 5 mg once a day. Dosage should be adjusted according to blood pressure response. The usual dosage range is 10 to 40 mg per day administered in a single dose or two divided doses. In some patients treated once daily, the antihypertensive effect may diminish toward the end of the dosing interval. In such patients, an increase in dosage or twice daily administration should be considered. If blood pressure is not controlled with VASOTEC alone, a diuretic may be added. Concomitant administration of VASOTEC with potassium supplements, potassium salt substitutes, or potassium-sparing diuretics may lead to increases of serum potassium .

Dosage Adjustment In Hypertensive Patients With Renal Impairment

The usual dose of enalapril is recommended for patients with a creatinine clearance more than 30 mL/min (serum creatinine of up to approximately 3 mg/dL). For patients with creatinine clearance less than or equal to 30 mL/min (serum creatinine more than or equal to 3 mg/dL), the first dose is 2.5 mg once daily. The dosage may be titrated upward until blood pressure is controlled or to a maximum of 40 mg daily.