Vasotec Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Vasotec Tablet contains enalapril maleate, an ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure and symptomatic congestive heart failure, and to slow the development of heart failure symptoms in people with reduced heart pumping function. It works by relaxing blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and eases the heart's workload. It is available as tablets in several strengths and requires certain precautions, including avoidance during pregnancy.

What is Vasotec Tablet

Vasotec is a prescription tablet containing enalapril maleate, an ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.

Vasotec Tablet uses

• Treating high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children
• Treating symptomatic congestive heart failure, usually along with other heart medicines
• Slowing the development of heart failure symptoms in people with reduced heart pumping function who do not yet have symptoms

Benefits of Vasotec Tablet

• Helps lower blood pressure to reduce strain on the heart and arteries
• In heart failure patients, improves symptoms, increases survival, and reduces the chance of hospital stays
• Reduces the risk of developing overt heart failure in people with reduced heart function

How Vasotec Tablet works

Vasotec blocks an enzyme that makes a substance called angiotensin II, which normally tightens blood vessels. By blocking this, the medicine lets blood vessels relax, which lowers blood pressure and eases the heart's workload.

Vasotec Tablet dosage

Take this medicine exactly as your doctor prescribed. It can be taken with or without food. Try to take your dose at the same time each day to help you remember. Do not split the tablets.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it's almost time for your next dose; do not double up. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well, since high blood pressure often causes no symptoms. Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery or dental procedure. Avoid getting overheated, dehydrated, or losing a lot of fluid through sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea while taking this medicine.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablets (5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg)

Side effects of Vasotec Tablet

Common

• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Low blood pressure
• Rash/itching
• Vomiting

Serious

• Allergic reaction/angioedema: swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, or feet, or sudden difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Fainting or feeling like you might pass out
• High blood potassium: nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement
• Low white blood cell counts: fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough
• Kidney problems: swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath
• Liver problems: loss of appetite, upper right stomach pain, tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, yellowing of skin or eyes
• Severe allergic reaction: hives, severe stomach pain, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can cause serious swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (angioedema) that can be life-threatening, and can happen at any time during treatment.
• Black patients may have a higher chance of developing angioedema from this type of medicine than non-black patients.
• Do not take this medicine together with a medicine containing aliskiren if you have diabetes or kidney disease, as this combination increases the risk of low blood pressure, high potassium, and kidney problems.
• Do not take this medicine within 36 hours before or after taking a medicine containing sacubitril, since combining them raises the risk of angioedema.
• This medicine can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially after the first dose or when the dose is increased, particularly in people who are dehydrated or on diuretics.
• Rare cases of low white blood cell counts (which can increase infection risk) have been linked to this type of medicine.
• This medicine can rarely cause serious liver problems, including liver failure.
• This medicine should not be used during pregnancy because it can seriously harm or even cause the death of the developing baby.
•  If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, stop taking it and contact your doctor right away.
• This medicine is not recommended while breastfeeding because small amounts pass into breast milk.
• People with kidney disease need special care with this medicine, including dose adjustments and monitoring of kidney function.
• People with liver disease should tell their doctor before taking this medicine, since it should be used with particular caution in patients with existing liver problems.
• This medicine can cause dizziness or drowsiness, so wait to see how it affects you before driving or operating dangerous machinery.

Storage

• Store at controlled room temperature (15°C–30°C)
• Keep container tightly closed
• Protect from moisture
• Discard remaining tablets six months after opening a 100 tablet bottle
• Keep out of the reach and sight of children

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, severe stomach pain, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you feel like you might faint, notice signs of high potassium (nausea, weakness, tingling, chest pain, irregular heartbeat), signs of low white blood cells (fever, mouth sores, sore throat), signs of kidney problems (swelling, urinating less, tiredness, shortness of breath), or signs of liver problems (loss of appetite, stomach pain, dark urine, yellowing skin or eyes).
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact your doctor, pharmacist, hospital emergency department, or poison control center right away, even if you feel fine.
• Stop the medicine and contact your doctor as soon as possible if you find out you are pregnant while taking this medicine.

Alternatives

• Enalapril oral suspension
• Enalapril maleate 2.5 mg tablets
• Lisinopril
• Perindopril