Enalapril
Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor used for high blood pressure and heart failure, sold here as single-ingredient tablets in 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg strengths.
What does enalapril treat?
Enalapril belongs to the ACE inhibitor group of blood-pressure medicines. It is taken on its own or with other medicines for high blood pressure (hypertension), and alongside other medicines in heart failure, where the heart is not pumping as strongly as it should. It is also sometimes used for kidney damage caused by diabetes. High blood pressure usually causes no symptoms, and over the years it damages the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes — bringing the reading down is what the treatment is for.
The enalapril sold on this page is Enalapril tablets in 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg, one of the medicines in the Heart & Blood Pressure range.
How it works
Angiotensin II is a hormone that squeezes blood vessels narrow, and an enzyme called ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) makes it. Enalapril switches that enzyme off. With less of the hormone around, the vessels stay relaxed, blood meets less resistance on its way round, and the pressure reading falls; the kidneys also let more salt and water go, and the heart has less to push against. Nothing here cures the condition. Blood pressure climbs back once the tablets stop, which is why people carry on taking enalapril on days when they feel entirely well.
Taking enalapril tablets
A dose is swallowed once or twice a day, with a meal or between meals; food makes little difference. Keeping to the same time or times each day is the easy way to remember. Treatment usually starts at the lower end of the range and moves up if more is needed, which is why the 2.5mg and 5mg tablets sit alongside the 10mg. Keep the strips in their original box, in a cool, dry drawer.
Side effects worth knowing about
A dry, tickly cough is the one people notice most, and it can appear weeks after the first dose rather than straight away. Dizziness, tiredness and headache are also common, especially early on. Rarely, the face, lips, tongue or throat swell and breathing becomes difficult; that needs urgent treatment. Enalapril is not taken during pregnancy, because it can harm the baby.
Mixing enalapril with other medicines
Potassium supplements, salt substitutes made with potassium and potassium-sparing water tablets such as spironolactone can all push potassium levels too high. Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen and naproxen can reduce the fall in blood pressure and are tough on the kidneys when taken regularly. Lithium levels can rise. Those are the combinations that matter most.
Sources
- Enalapril: MedlinePlus Drug Information — National Library of Medicine
- High blood pressure - NHS — NHS
Can I order Enalapril online in Hong Kong?
Enalapril can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The page lists Enalapril tablets in 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg. Delivery is by tracked courier and takes 5 to 9 business days to Hong Kong, with online tracking included.
How much does Enalapril cost?
The price depends on the strength and pack size you choose. The Enalapril page shows current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Do I need a prescription to order Enalapril?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order enalapril. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What are the other names for enalapril?
Vasotec is a brand name of enalapril, which is also sold as Envas, Glioten, Renitec and Innovace. Here, enalapril can be bought online as enalapril tablets. These are generics, not the original brand.
Does enalapril cause a dry cough?
Often, yes. A dry, tickly cough is the side effect most associated with enalapril and other ACE inhibitors, and it can turn up days or weeks after the first tablet rather than straight away. It tends to persist for as long as the medicine is taken.
Can I drink alcohol with enalapril?
Alcohol widens blood vessels too, so it adds to the pressure-lowering effect of enalapril. A drink or two is unlikely to trouble most people, but a heavy night can leave you dizzy or light-headed, particularly when you stand up quickly.
What is the difference between the 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg enalapril tablets?
They hold different amounts of the same medicine, so what changes between them is the dose, not the kind of drug. A 10mg tablet contains four times as much enalapril as a 2.5mg one. The lower strengths are where treatment usually begins; 10mg is for a higher daily amount.
Is enalapril the same as lisinopril?
No — they are different medicines. Both sit in the ACE inhibitor family and both are used for high blood pressure and heart failure, but each has its own strengths and its own dosing schedule.
Can I take ibuprofen with enalapril?
It is not the best pairing. Ibuprofen, naproxen and similar anti-inflammatories can blunt the blood-pressure drop from enalapril, and taken regularly they put extra strain on the kidneys. The odd dose for a headache is a different matter from a daily painkiller habit.