Drug name: Enahexal

Other names used:

• Vasotec®

Active Ingredients:

• Enalapril

Therapeutic effects of Enahexal: Enalapril belongs to a class of medicines known as Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors that are used to lower blood pressure. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme or ACE as it is commonly known plays a key role in blood vessel constriction. Enalapril by blocking this enzyme relaxes the blood vessels and allows the free flow of blood and this in turn reduces the blood pressure.

Indications: Enahexal is administered to treat the following conditions:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Heart failure (HF)
• LV Dysfunction (left ventricular dysfunction)

Precautions and Restrictions: Before taking this medicine it is best to consult a doctor if you have the following conditions:

• Any heart related disorders such as heart attack, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy etc.
• Any disorder of the liver such as cirrhosis
• Renal problems such as kidney failure
• Diabetics
• Connective tissue disease such as Scleroderma
• Long term autoimmune disorder such as Systemic lupus erythematosus
• If you or your parents had angioedema
• Any allergic reaction especially to ACE or similar substances

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:

• Pregnancy or trying to become pregnant
• Lactation
• If you are on dialysis
• If you are about to undergo surgery

Side effects of Enahexal:While using Enahexal there is always a distant possibility of some kind of adverse effect that is unexpected. As stated above these side effects are only a distant possibility and there are no prior proven records of such effects being caused by Enahexal.

Important

• People using this medicine may experience allergic reactions. So consult your doctor and if you experience allergic reactions such as swelling, rashes or itching then get medical help at once.
People who are of African lineage are at higher risk of developing angioedema in different parts of the body such as eyes, lips, tongue. If you notice any of these reactions then get medical help immediately.
• Use of this drug or any other ACE inhibitor can cause intestinal angioedema (i.e. swelling in the intestine). Some of the symptoms of intestinal angioedema are severe stomach aches which may or may not result in vomiting. If you notice any of these reactions then get medical help immediately. People who are suffering from diarrhea or experiencing vomiting, undergoing dialysis or perspire a lot are at higher risk of having low blood pressure while using this drug. If these people experience symptoms of hypotension such as fainting, dizziness then seek medical help at once. Also do not do things that may require high degree of concentration and reflexes such as driving, operating machinery etc.
• Users of Enahexal are at higher risk of developing infections, so if you experience sore throat or fever contact your medical care provider.
• It is not advisable to take Enahexal during pregnancy. This drug is placed in the C category for first trimester by FDA and in D category for second and third trimester. Hence it is best to talk to your doctor before using Enahexal, and if you become pregnant while taking Enahexal contact your doctor immediately.
• Users of Enahexal may experience cough. This is normal but if the cough becomes severe and bothersome then you should get yourself examined by a doctor at once.
• Sometimes blood potassium levels can reach dangerous heights so when it occurs stop taking Enahexal and consult a physician immediately.
• Enahexal may cause serious kidney problems. So if you experience certain symptoms such as headache, low urine output etc. then check your kidney function at once.
• People with kidney problems may metabolize this drug differently, so it is very important to monitor your situation more closely.
• There are no records to show that use of Enahexal will cause liver failure. Talk to a doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as itching, fatigue, stomach ache, cold, flu, yellowing of skin etc.
• There are no reports to show that Enahexal passes to mother's milk, but if you are a breast feeding mother please consult your physician before taking Enahexal.

Side effects caused by Enahexal are:

• Weakness
• Cough
• Rashes
• Dizziness

Some of the rare but serious side effects caused by Enahexal are:

• Syncope
• Dizziness
• Cold, sore throat, fever etc.
• Yellow eyes and skin
• Breathlessness
• Dysphagia
• Hoarseness

Swelling in different parts of the body like feet, face, lips, throat etc.

These are just some of the side effects and this is by no means an exhaustive list of adverse effects that the use of the drug can cause. For more information kindly consult your physician, pharmacist or read the leaflet presented by the manufacturer.

Interactions: Before taking Enahexal it's very important to consult a doctor and apprise him of the treatment or medication you are using. Get a prescription from your doctor before starting any new drug. It's important to tell your physician if you're already taking other drugs. This is to make sure that the combination of the two drugs is safe.

Enahexal may react with the following substances:

• Lithium preparations such as Lithotabs, Lithonate, Lithane, Eskalith
• Drugs that do not promote the secretion of potassium into the urine (Potassium-sparing diuretic) such as amiloride, triamterene, spironolactone etc.
• Potassium supplements
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like nabumetone, indomethacin, diclofenac, naproxen sodium etc.
• Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide etc.

Additional Information: Do not to give Enahexal tablets to any person without proper medical prescription. Do not take this medicine in any other type of health related complication. Keep the medicine and syringes away from children to avoid any problems.