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enalapril
Used for Heart Failure, Hypertension
Used for Heart Failure, Hypertension
Enalapril (Vasotec) is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that’s used to lower blood pressure and treat heart and kidney conditions in dogs and cats. It’s commercially available as a tablet or liquid. This is a human medication used off-label for pets. Enalapril is usually given once or twice a day by mouth. The most common side effects are vomiting, diarrhea, and tiredness.
What is Enalapril for pets?
What is Enalapril for pets used for?
- Congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs and cats
- High blood pressure in dogs and cats
- Kidney problems in dogs and cats
How Enalapril for pets works
[[EDITOR|DRUG_DISPLAY_NME|||title]] is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It relaxes blood vessels by blocking the enzyme that causes them to tighten. This widens the blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood throughout your pet’s body.
Enalapril also relaxes blood vessels in the kidneys, which can help treat certain kidney conditions.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Vasotec |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Enalapril essentials
Side effects of Enalapril for pets
The following side effects might get better over time as your pet gets used to the medication. Let your veterinarian know immediately if your pet continues to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Low appetite
- Tiredness
Less Common Side Effects
- Cough
Enalapril serious side effects
Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet experiences any of the following.
- Low blood pressure: weakness, collapse
- High potassium levels: changes to heart rhythm, weakness, collapse
The following Enalapril side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Blurred vision
confusion
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
sweating
unusual tiredness or weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Dizziness
Less common
Lack or loss of strength
rash
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$113.05
GoodRx discount
$15.36
Pros and cons of Enalapril for pets
Pros
- Comes as a tablet and liquid
- Works quickly within 1 to 2 hours
- First-choice treatment for high blood pressure
- Helps dogs with heart failure live longer
Cons
- Might have to take it for the rest of their life
- Not safe for pregnant animals
- Commonly causes vomiting and diarrhea
- Might require blood tests to monitor kidney health and electrolyte levels
Pharmacist tips for Enalapril for pets
- Make sure your pet is drinking plenty of water while taking enalapril. Dehydration can cause new or worsening kidney damage. Always keep fresh water available for your pet and let your vet know if you notice any signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, sunken eyes, or a weak, fast pulse.
- Enalapril can be compounded into a liquid to make it easier to give to your pet. If it’s compounded, follow your vet and pharmacist's directions for storage and administration.
- Enalapril might have to be given with other medications to control your pet’s heart failure symptoms or blood pressure.
- Enalapril is known to cause harm to unborn puppies or kittens and shouldn’t be given to pregnant animals. For humans, enalapril has a black box warning stating that it can’t be prescribed to pregnant people.
- Pets taking enalapril should be monitored to make sure that the medication is working and to avoid serious side effects. Your vet might want to watch your pet’s kidney function, hydration, blood pressure, or electrolytes. Follow your vet’s advice to help your pet have the best outcome while taking this medication.
- Enalapril interacts with common medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), other blood pressure medications, steroids, and diuretics. Tell your vet and pharmacist about all medications and supplements that your pet is taking to make sure they can be taken safely.
- Enalapril might make your pet more tired than usual, but this should go away once they get used to the medication. Talk to your vet if your pet is abnormally tired or if it doesn’t go away, especially if they have other symptoms of more serious conditions like dehydration or low blood pressure.
Risks and warnings for Enalapril for pets
Enalapril can cause some serious health issues. This risk might be even higher for certain pets. If this worries you, talk to your veterinarian about other options.
Low blood pressure
- Risk factors: Aortic stenosis | Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy | Taking other blood pressure medications
Enalapril can lower your pet’s blood pressure. But if their dose is too high, it could make their blood pressure too low . This can be especially dangerous if your pet has certain heart conditions, like aortic stenosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Also, taking enalapril with other blood pressure-lowering medications can also cause your pet’s blood pressure to drop too low. Tell your vet if your pet has any of these heart conditions before starting enalapril or other blood pressure-lowering medications.
Low kidney filtration
- Risk factors: Heart failure | Dehydration
Enalapril can reduce how well your pet’s kidneys filter waste. If your pet already has poor kidney function caused by conditions like heart failure or dehydration, this medication could make it even worse. Your vet will help decide if enalapril is safe for your pet.
Enalapril dosage forms for pets
The average cost for 60 tablets of 10mg of Enalapril is $15.36 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 86.41% off the average retail price of $113.05.
Typical dosage for Enalapril
The dose of enalapril is based on your pet’s weight. It also depends on how your pet reacts to this medication or the condition being treated.
The dose is usually 0.25 mg/kg to 0.5 mg/kg by mouth every 12 or 24 hours for cats and dogs.
Interactions between Enalapril and other drugs for pets
Enalapril might interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your veterinarian know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that your pet is currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Enalapril. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Aliskiren
- Sacubitril
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Allopurinol
- Alteplase, Recombinant
- Amiloride
- Azathioprine
- Azilsartan
- Azilsartan Medoxomil
- Candesartan Cilexetil
- Canrenoate
- Eplerenone
- Eprosartan
- Everolimus
- Interferon Alfa-2a
- Irbesartan
- Lithium
- Losartan
- Mercaptopurine
- Olmesartan Medoxomil
- Oxypurinol
- Potassium Phosphate
- Sirolimus
- Spironolactone
- Telmisartan
- Triamterene
- Trimethoprim
- Valsartan
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Aspirin
- Azosemide
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Bumetanide
- Bupivacaine
- Bupivacaine Liposome
- Capsaicin
- Celecoxib
- Choline Salicylate
- Clomipramine
- Clonixin
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Dipyrone
- Droxicam
- Ethacrynic Acid
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flurbiprofen
- Furosemide
- Gold Sodium Thiomalate
- Ibuprofen
- Indomethacin
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Morniflumate
- Nabumetone
- Naproxen
- Nepafenac
- Nesiritide
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Piretanide
- Piroxicam
- Proglumetacin
- Propionic Acid
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Rifampin
- Rofecoxib
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Sodium Salicylate
- Sulindac
- Tenoxicam
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Torsemide
- Valdecoxib
How much does Enalapril cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Enalapril contraindications for pets
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a pet should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If your pet has any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to your pet, let your veterinarian know because Enalapril will not be safe for your pet to take.
- Pregnant animals
- Certain heart conditions (e.g., aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)
What are alternatives to Enalapril for pets?
There might be medications that your veterinarian can prescribe in place of Enalapril. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Enalapril images
