Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide is used for: 

Treating high blood pressure. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. 

Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and thiazide diuretic combination. It works by removing excess fluid from the body and helping to relax blood vessels. This helps to lower blood pressure. 

Do NOT use Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide if: 

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide or any other sulfonamide medicine (eg, glyburide, probenecid, sulfamethoxazole) 
• you have a history of angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue) or kidney artery narrowing, or you are unable to urinate 
• you are taking dofetilide or ketanserin 
• you are pregnant

Contact  your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you. 

Before using Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide : 

Some medical conditions  may interact with Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of  the following apply to you: 

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding 
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement 
• if you have allergies  to medicines, foods, or other substances 
• if you have giant hives or skin inflammation, diabetes, bone marrow suppression,  blood vessel problems  of the brain (eg, stroke), gout, high  blood potassium levels, low  blood sodium levels, heart disease, scleroderma, severe immune system problems, or lupus, or if you are on  a sodium restricted diet 
• if you have a history  of allergies, asthma, or liver problems 
• if you are scheduled  to have major surgery or to receive anesthesia 
• if you have a history  of kidney artery narrowing or decreased kidney function, you are on dialysis, or you have had a kidney transplant 

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of  the following: 

• ACE inhibitors (eg, enalapril), indomethacin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), or thiazide diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide) because side effects, such as increased risk for kidney dysfunction, may occur 
• Dextran sulfate, diazoxide, barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), or narcotic pain  medicine (eg, codeine) because side effects, such increased risk for low blood pressure, may occur 
• Certain gold-containing medicines (eg, sodium aurothiomalate) because flushing, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure may occur 
• Celecoxib or salicylates (eg, aspirin) because they may decrease Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide 's effectiveness 
• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), digitalis glycosides (eg, digoxin), dofetilide, insulin, ketanserin, lithium, muscle relaxants (eg, methocarbamol), potassium preparations, potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, triamterene), sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide), or thiopurines (eg, azathiopurine) because their actions and the risk of their side effects may  be increased by Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide 

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine. 

How to use Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide : 

Use Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide  as directed  by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. 

• Take Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide by mouth  with or without food. 
• If  you take cholestyramine or colestipol,  ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take it with Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide . 
• Take Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. 
• Taking Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide at the same time each day will help you remember to take  it.
• Continue to take Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide  even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. 
• If you miss a dose of Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose  and go back  to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. 
• Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide . 

Important safety information: 

• Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide  may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may  be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. 
• Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially  in the morning. Sit or lie down  at the first sign of any of these effects. 
• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product  that has potassium in it. 
• If vomiting  or diarrhea occurs, you will need  to take care not to become dehydrated. Contact  your doctor for instructions. 
• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take  your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms. 
• Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide may not work as well in black patients. They may also be at greater risk  of side effects. Contact  your doctor if your symptoms do  not improve or if they become worse. 
• Tell  your doctor or dentist that you take Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. 
• Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid  the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react  to Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time. 
• Lab tests, including blood electrolytes, blood pressure, blood cell counts,  and kidney function,  may be performed while you use Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide . These  tests may be used  to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure  to keep all doctor  and lab appointments. 
• Use Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects. 
• Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have  not been confirmed. 
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause birth defects or fetal death if you  take it while  you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact  your doctor right away. Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide . 

Possible side effects of Enalapril/Hydrochlorothiazide : 

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome: 

Coughing; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; lightheadedness; nausea; persistent, dry cough; tiredness; vomiting. 

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur: 

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty swallowing; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; muscle cramps; muscle weakness; severe dizziness or lightheadedness; shortness of breath; sore throat; unusual stomach pain; yellowing of the skin or eyes. 

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA 

Notes: FCbinderMD

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EditText of this page (last edited April 11, 2010)