How Enalapril care of us. Enalapril: uses Enalapril is used to treat high blood pressure ( hypertension ) . Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.
Enalapril contains two medications, enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide. Enalapril is called an ACE inhibitor and works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Hydrochlorothiazide is called a water pill ( diuretic ) and causes your body to get rid of extra salt and water. This increases amount of urine we make. Getting rid of extra water and salt probably also helps to relax blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily. These medications are used together when one drug isn't controlling your blood pressure. Enalapril: how to use Take Enalapril by mouth with or without food, usually once or twice daily or as directed by your doctor. If we take this drug too close to bedtime, we may need to wake up to urinate. Therefore, it is best to take Enalapril at least 4 hours before your bedtime. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your dosing schedule.
The dosage is based on your age, medical condition and response to therapy. If we have severe liver or kidney problems, your dosage may need to be adjusted.
Use Enalapril regularly in order to get most benefit from it. To help we remember, take it at same time each day. It is important to continue taking Enalapril even if we feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. It may take up to several weeks before the full benefit of Enalapril takes effect.
Don't stop taking Enalapril without first consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
Inform your doctor if your condition worsens ( e. g. , your routine blood pressure readings increase ) . Enalapril: other used This section contains uses of Enalapril that are not listed in approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use Enalapril for a condition that's listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
Enalapril may also be used to treat certain heart conditions ( e. g. , congestive heart failure ) . Enalapril: side effects Dizziness or lightheadedness may occur while use Enalapril as your body adjusts to the medication. Nausea, tiredness, headache or dry cough may also occur. You may also experience decreased sexual ability or increased sensitivity to sun. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Enalapril because he or she has judged that benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Enalapril don't have serious side effects.
The hydrochlorothiazide in Enalapril may cause too much body water and salts to be lost ( dehydration ) . Tell your doctor immediately if we have any of these unlikely but serious symptoms of dehydration:
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:
Enalapril may rarely cause serious ( possibly fatal ) liver problems. Tell your doctor immediately if we notice any of the following rare but very serious side effects:
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:
A very serious allergic reaction to Enalapril is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects. If we notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Enalapril: precautions Before taking Enalapril, tell your doctor or pharmacist if we are allergic to either enalapril or hydrochlorothiazide; or to other ACE inhibitors ( e. g. , captopril, lisinopril ) ; or to other thiazides ( e. g. , polythiazide ) ; or to sulfa medications; or if you have any other allergies.
Enalapril shouldn't be used if we have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have:
Before using Enalapril, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
Enalapril may make we dizzy; use caution while engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages.
To reduce risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.
Drink plenty of fluids while taking Enalapril to help prevent dizziness. Too much sweating, diarrhea or vomiting may cause you to feel lightheaded. Avoid heavy exercise. Report prolonged diarrhea or vomiting to your doctor.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that we are taking Enalapril.
Enalapril may make you more sensitive to sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
Enalapril may increase or decrease your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If we have diabetes, this product may increase your blood sugar levels. Check your blood glucose levels regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if we have symptoms of high blood sugar, such as increased thirst and urination. Your anti-diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.
Caution is advised when using Enalapril in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness.
Enalapril is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to risk for harm to an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details. ( See also Warning section. )
The enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide in Enalapril pass into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using Enalapril isn't recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Enalapril: interactions Also see Precautions. Your healthcare professionals ( e. g. , doctor or pharmacist ) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Don't start, stop or change dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Enalapril shouldn't be used with following medication because very serious interactions may occur while use Enalapril:
Before using Enalapril, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products we may use, especially of:
A very serious reaction may occur while use Enalapril if we are getting injections for bee/wasp sting allergy ( desensitization ) and are also taking enalapril with hydrochlorothiazide. Make sure all your doctors know which medicines you are using.
If taken together with Enalapril, cholestyramine and colestipol can decrease amount of Enalapril that is absorbed by your body. If we are taking either of these drugs, separate them from this medication by at least 4 hours.
Check labels on all your medicines ( e. g. , cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs for pain/fever reduction ) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure or cause a fast heartbeat ( e. g. , pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, clemastine, ibuprofen, naproxen ) . Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
Some nonprescription medicines may also contain aspirin, which may decrease effect of enalapril in Enalapril. Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention ( usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day ) should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Enalapril can affect results of certain lab tests ( e. g. , parathyroid, certain tests that measure digoxin drug levels ) . Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know we use Enalapril.
This document doesn't contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Enalapril, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products we use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share list with your doctor and pharmacist. Enalapril: overdose If overdose of Enalapril is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness. Enalapril: notes Don't share Enalapril with others. Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes may increase effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.
Laboratory and/or medical tests ( e. g. , white blood cell count, blood sodium and potassium levels, kidney function, liver function ) should be performed from time to time to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
Check your blood pressure regularly while taking this medication, especially when you first start Enalapril or when your dose is changed. Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home, and share results with your doctor. Enalapril: missed dose If you miss a dose Enalapril, take it as soon as you remember. If it's near the time of next dose, skip missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Don't double dose of Enalapril to catch up. Enalapril: storage Store the US products at a temperature below 86 degrees F ( 30 degrees C ) away from light and moisture. Brief storage up to 122 degrees F ( 50 degrees C ) is permitted.
Store the Canadian product 59 to 86 degrees F ( 15 to 30 degrees C ) away from light and moisture.
Do not store Enalapril in bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard Enalapril when it's expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product. Enalapril: warning Enalapril can cause serious ( possibly fatal ) harm to an unborn baby if used during pregnancy. Therefore, it's important to prevent pregnancy while taking Enalapril. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss use of reliable forms of birth control while taking this medication. If you're planning pregnancy, become pregnant or think we may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately.
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Abortion Rate Declines In Canada; Experts Question Data Collection Method
A report released by Statistics Canada on Wednesday found that abortion rate and total number of abortions declined in Canada in 2005, particularly among teenage girls, CP/Google. com reports. Some experts attributed the decreasing rate in part to sex education programs and increased access to contraceptives ( CP/Google. com, 5/21 ) . However, some experts said that the country's " patchy method " of recording abortions means that the report might haven't accounted for thousands of abortions, Toronto's Globe and Mail reports ( Mick, Globe and Mail , 5/22 ) .
According to the report, number of abortions in Canada declined by 3. 2% from 100, 039 in 2004 to 96, 815 in 2005. There were 14. 1 abortions per every 1, 000 women ages 15 to 44 in 2005, compared with 14. 6 abortions per every 1, 000 women in 2004 ( CP/Google. com, 5/21 ) . The data for 2005 continue a five-year decline in Canada's abortion rate, Globe and Mail reports. The abortion rate decreased most among women and girls under age 20. The rate declined for every age group except for women ages 35 to 39, which remained the same.
The Statistics Canada report includes abortions performed at hospitals and licensed clinics but doesn't include procedures performed in doctors' offices or in cases where women privately paid for abortions that aren't covered by provinces, Richard Trudeau, director of health statistics for Statistics Canada, said. " There is more and more literature to indicate that there might be abortions performed in physicians' offices, and those we are unable to monitor, " Trudeau said. According to Globe and Mail , access to abortion services varies throughout Canada.
Reasons for Declining Rate, Comments
Sex education advocates said report is evidence of effectiveness of sex education programs and Web sites. Many provinces mandate programs that encourage students to talk about sex and demonstrate how to use condoms ( Globe and Mail , 5/22 ) .
According to CP/Google. com, teen abortion rate in Canada declined by 6% in 2005, which has followed a decline in the teen pregnancy rate over last 25 years. " Over the last quarter-century, many more young women have had access to higher education, better employment opportunities, " Alex McKay of Sex Information and Education Council of Canada said, adding, " Women are exercising greater control over their fertility, progressively so and that, with respect to general health and well-being of women, is a positive signal. '
Andre Lalonde of Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada said although the decrease in the number of abortions might seem " to be modest, " it's significant " because since 2000 population has increased " ( CP/Google. com, 5/21 ) . However, he added that number of abortions is still " high for a country like Canada " and that a national strategy to promote condom use and safer sex is needed ( Globe and Mail , 5/22 ) . " We'd like to see a figure go way below 50, 000 because that means . . . men and women in this country would protect themselves and decrease or eliminate unwanted pregnancies, " he said ( CP/Google. com, 5/21 ) . Reprinted with kind permission from http: //www. nationalpartnership. org. We can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company. 2008 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.
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