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Enalapril Coupon - Enalapril 2.5mg tablet

enalapril

Generic Vasotec
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.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Elizabeth Carman, PharmD, FSVHP
reviewer
Daisy Chau, PharmD
Last reviewed on March 27, 2025
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
Paws

For pets

Enalapril can be prescribed or used off-label by a licensed veterinarian for pets. Medications prescribed for pets aren't intended for human use.

Explore pet medicationsView information for human use
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What is Enalapril for pets?

What is Enalapril for pets used for?

How Enalapril for pets works

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 BrandsVasotec
Drug ClassAngiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only

More on Enalapril essentials

Dog: vet listening to dog heart 1400238151

Enalapril for Dogs: A Medication to Treat Heart Failure

Written by Catherine Barnette, DVM
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What are the 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

Other Side Effects

  • Cough

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 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

Less common

Chest pain

cough producing mucus

diarrhea

difficult or labored breathing

fainting

fever or chills

nausea

sneezing

sore throat

tightness in the chest

vomiting

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.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Enalapril for pets

thumbs-up

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

thumbs-down

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

Pharmacist tips for Enalapril for pets

pharmacist

  • 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 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.

              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about Enalapril for pets

              Can enalapril for dogs be crushed?
              Yes, enalapril tablets can be crushed for dogs. The medication can be given with or without food, so crushing a tablet and mixing it with food is safe. To make sure your dog gets the whole dose, mix the crushed tablet with a small portion of their meal or a treat.
              Can enalapril for cats be crushed?
              Yes, enalapril tablets can be crushed for cats. If you have problems getting your cat to take the medication, you can crush it and mix it with some food or a treat. Make sure that your cat gets the entire dose if the tablet is crushed so that they receive the full benefit of the medication.
              Is benazepril for dogs the same as enalapril?
              No. Benazepril and enalapril are different medications, but both belong to the same class of blood pressure medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. The biggest difference between them is how they are removed from the body. While enalapril is removed mostly through the kidneys, benazepril is removed through the liver and the kidneys. This means that an animal with kidney problems might do better with benazepril because it doesn’t rely only on the kidneys to leave the body, which allows for better dose control. Your vet will choose the best medication for your pet.
              Is enalapril safe for dogs?
              Enalapril is safe for most dogs. But some dogs shouldn’t take enalapril, especially those who have had allergic reactions to similar medications (e.g., benazepril, ramipril, lisinopril), or those with certain heart conditions, like aortic stenosis or obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. If your dog shows side effects like weakness, collapse, fever, rash, or cough, contact a veterinarian right away since these could be signs of a serious problem. Less serious side effects include stomach problems like vomiting, diarrhea, or low appetite. Enalapril might also make your dog feel tired at first, but this typically goes away over time.
              How long does it take enalapril to work for dogs?
              Enalapril starts working within the first 1 to 2 hours after taking it, and its full benefits can take much longer, possible weeks. It’s important to give this medication to your dog every day, even if you don’t see improvements in their symptoms. High blood pressure can be very dangerous and is sometimes called the “silent killer” because there may not be obvious signs. Your veterinarian might have to run tests to check that this medication works for your dog.
              Does enalapril help with coughing in dogs?
              Enalapril could help with your dog’s cough if their cough is caused by heart failure since this medication treats heart failure. Dogs with heart failure might have a cough due to fluid buildup around their lungs. But enalapril isn’t known to improve cough for other reasons. In humans, enalapril might cause a dry cough, although this side effect isn’t usually seen in dogs.
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              What are the 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.

              risk-warning

              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.

                risk-warning

                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.

                  dosage

                  Enalapril dosage forms

                  The average cost for 60 tablets of 2.5mg of Enalapril is $6.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 85.91% off the average retail price of $42.59.
                  bottle of oral solution
                  Bottle of oral solution
                  DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                  150ml of 1mg/ml1 bottle$81.64$81.64
                  tablet
                  Tablet
                  DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                  2.5mg60 tablets$6.00$0.10
                  5mg30 tablets$5.10$0.17
                  10mg90 tablets$15.41$0.17
                  20mg90 tablets$17.51$0.19

                  Typical dosing for Enalapril for pets

                  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

                  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.

                  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.

                  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.

                  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.

                  drug-cost

                  How much does Enalapril cost?

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                  Vasotec (brand)
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                  Enalapril (generic)
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                  contraindications-icon

                  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)

                  alternatives

                  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.
                  Enalapril
                  Used for:
                  $5.10 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Furosemide
                  Used for:
                  $1.80 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  images

                  Enalapril images

                  Yellow Oval 93 26 - Enalapril Maleate 2.5mg Tablet
                  This medicine is Yellow, Oval, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "93 26".Yellow Oval 93 26 - Enalapril Maleate 2.5mg Tablet
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                  This medicine is White, Oval, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "S 1".White Oval S 1 - Enalapril Maleate 2.5mg Tablet
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                  White Round 333 - Enalapril Maleate 2.5mg Tablet
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                  White Oval Ec - Enalapril Maleate 2.5mg Tablet
                  This medicine is White, Oval, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "Ec".White Oval Ec - Enalapril Maleate 2.5mg Tablet
                  White Oval Ec - Enalapril Maleate 2.5mg Tablet
                  This medicine is White, Oval, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "Ec".White Oval Ec - Enalapril Maleate 2.5mg Tablet
                  White Oval Vaso 2.5 - Enalapril Maleate 2.5mg Tablet
                  This medicine is White, Oval, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "Vaso 2.5".White Oval Vaso 2.5 - Enalapril Maleate 2.5mg Tablet

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                  References

                  Best studies we found

                  Acierno, M. J., et al. (2018). ACVIM consensus statement: Guidelines for the identification, evaluation, and management of systemic hypertension in dogs and cats. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

                  Allen, L. V., Jr., et al. (1998). Stability of alprazolam, chloroquine phosphate, cisapride, enalapril maleate, and hydralazine hydrochloride in extemporaneously compounded oral liquids. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy.

                  Ettinger, S. J., et al. (1998). Effects of enalapril maleate on survival of dogs with naturally acquired heart failure. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

                  View All References (10)

                  Gordon, S. G., et al. (2024). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for use in animals. Merck Manual Veterinary Manual.

                  Gordon, S. G., et al. (2024). Overview of systemic pharmacotherapeutics of the cardiovascular system in animals. Merck Manual Veterinary Manual.

                  Hori, Y., et al. (2018). Effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor alacepril in dogs with mitral valve disease. The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science.

                  Kittleson, M. D. (2024). Heart failure in dogs and cats. Merck Manual Veterinary Manual.

                  Kittleson, M. D. (2024). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in dogs and cats. Merck Manual Veterinary Manual.

                  Linklater, A., et al. (2024). The fluid resuscitation plan in animals. Merck Manual Veterinary Manual.

                  Plumb’s Drug Handouts. (2024). Enalapril.

                  Pouchelon, J. L., et al. (2015). Cardiovascular-renal axis disorders in the domestic dog and cat: A veterinary consensus statement. The Journal of Small Animal Practice.

                  Tou, S. P. (2024). Aortic stenosis in animals. Merck Manual Veterinary Manual.

                  van Vertloo, L. (2025). Renal dysfunction in dogs and cats. Merck Manual Veterinary Manual.

                  GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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