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ENALAPRIL & HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE
ENALAPRIL & HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE
MDAdvice.com Home > Health Library > Pediatric Symptoms and Illnesses >
ENALAPRIL & HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE

BRAND & GENERIC NAMES

Vaseretic

BASIC INFORMATION

  • Habit forming? No
  • Prescription needed? Yes
  • Available as generic? No
  • Drug class: Antihypertensive, diuretic, ACE inhibitor (see Drugs Glossary)

    USES

  • Treatment for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
  • Reduces fluid retention.

    DOSAGE & USAGE INFORMATION

    How to take:
    Tablet -- Swallow with liquid. These tablets are long-acting. Food
    does not alter normal absorption from the gastrointestinal
    tract.
    When to take:
    Usually once a day.
    If you forget a dose:
    Take as soon as you remember up to 18 hours late. If more than
    18 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
    What drug does:

  • Forces sodium and water excretion, reducing body fluid.
  • Relaxes muscle cells of small arteries.
  • Reduced body fluid and relaxed arteries lower blood pressure.
  • Reduces resistance in arteries.
  • Strengthens heartbeat.

    Time lapse before drug works:
    4 to 6 hours. May require several weeks to lower blood pressure.
    Don't take with:
    Any other medicines, even over-the-counter drugs such as cough
    and cold medicines, nose drops, diet pills, laxatives or
    caffeine, without consulting your doctor.
    OVERDOSE
    SYMPTOMS:
    Cramps, weakness, drowsiness, weak pulse, fever, chills, sore
    throat, fainting, convulsions, coma.
    WHAT TO DO:

  • Dial 0 (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
  • See EMERGENCY INFORMATION.

    POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

    SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO

    Life-threatening:
    Irregular heartbeat Discontinue. Seek
    (fast or uneven); emergency treatment.
    difficulty breathing;
    hives, rash, intense
    itching, faintness soon
    after a dose (anaphylaxis).
    Common:

  • Dry mouth, thirst, Discontinue. Call tiredness, weakness, doctor right away. muscle cramps, vomiting, chest pain, skin rash, coughing.
  • Taste loss, Continue. Call doctor dizziness. when convenient. Infrequent:
  • Face, mouth, Discontinue. Call hands swelling. doctor right away.
  • Nausea, diarrhea. Continue. Call doctor when convenient. Rare: None expected.

    WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS

    Don't take if:

  • You are allergic to enalapril, captopril, or any thiazide diuretic drug.
  • You have any autoimmune disease, including AIDS or lupus.
  • You are receiving blood from a blood bank.
  • You take drugs for cancer.
  • You will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

    Before you start, consult your doctor:

  • If you have had a stroke.
  • If you have angina, heart or blood-vessel disease, a high level of potassium in blood, lupus, gout, liver, pancreas or kidney disorder.
  • If you are on a severe salt-restricted diet.
  • If you are allergic to any sulfa drug. Pregnancy: Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use. Infants & children: Don't give to infants or young children unless prescribed and monitored by your physician. Prolonged use: May decrease white cells in blood or cause protein loss in urine. Request periodic laboratory blood counts and urine tests. Skin & sunlight: May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp.

    Driving or hazardous activities:
    Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine
    affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb
    ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink
    alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes,
    such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives,
    pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.
    Discontinuing:
    Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require
    gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses
    of other drugs may also require adjustment.
    Others:

  • Hot weather and fever may cause dehydration and drop in blood pressure. Dose may require temporary adjustment. Weigh daily and report any unexpected weight decreases to your doctor.
  • May cause rise in uric acid, leading to gout.
  • May cause blood-sugar rise in diabetics.

    POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS

    Allopurinol Decreased allopurinol effect.
    Amiloride Possible excessive potassium in
    blood.
    Antidepressants, Dangerous drop in
    tricyclic (TCA, blood pressure. Avoid
    see Drugs Glossary) combination unless under medical
    supervision.
    Antihypertensives
    (other, see Drugs Increased antihypertensive
    Glossary) effect. Dosage of each may
    require adjustment.
    Barbiturates Increased hydrochlorothiazide
    (see Drugs Glossary) effect.
    Beta-adrenergic Increased antihypertensive
    blockers (see effect. Dosages
    Drugs Glossary) of both drugs may require
    adjustments.
    Chloramphenicol Possible blood disorders.
    Cholestyramine Decreased hydrochlorothiazide
    effect.
    Cortisone drugs Excessive potassium loss that
    causes dangerous heart rhythms.
    Digitalis Excessive potassium
    preparations loss that causes dangerous
    (see Drugs Glossary) heart rhythms.
    Diuretics (thiazide, Increased effect of
    see Drugs Glossary) other thiazide diuretics.
    Indapamide Increased diuretic effect.
    Lithium Increased effect of lithium.
    MAO inhibitors Increased hydrochlorothiazide
    (see Drugs Glossary) effect.
    Nitrates Excessive blood-pressure drop.
    Non-steroidal Decreased enalapril
    anti-inflammatory effect.
    drugs (NSAIDs, see
    Drugs Glossary)
    Potassium Possible increased
    supplements (see potassium in blood.
    Drugs Glossary)
    Probenecid Decreased probenecid effect.
    Spironolactone Possible excessive potassium in
    blood.
    Triamterene Possible excessive potassium in
    blood.

    POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

    Tobacco: May decrease enalapril effect.

  • From Complete Guide to Pediatric Symptoms, Illness & Medications by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. Copyright by Putnam Publishing Group. Electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange.

     

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