enalaprilat

Enalaprilat can cause severe and sometimes life-threatening harm to unborn babies. For this reason, avoid using enalaprilat during pregnancy. Be sure your providers know if you might be pregnant before you get treated with this medication so they can consider using a safer medication to help lower your blood pressure.

People who take ACE inhibitors, like enalaprilat, can experience a rare, but serious side effect called angioedema. This involves swelling in different parts of the body, including the face, throat, and tongue. Swelling of the tongue or throat area can be potentially life-threatening since it can make it difficult to breathe. Angioedema can happen at any time during treatment. You might be more likely to experience angioedema if you're Black, an older adult, or of female sex. Get medical help as soon as possible if you notice any unusual swelling, stomach pain, or difficulty breathing. Your provider will stop treatment with enalaprilat if angioedema happens.

Sometimes, taking enalaprilat can cause your blood pressure to drop too much. This can make you feel dizzy, tired, or lightheaded. This side effect is more common when you first start enalaprilat or when the dose is raised. Your providers will closely monitor your blood pressure and make sure you stay well-hydrated. Lie down and contact your healthcare team if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, faint, tired, or confused while you're getting treated with enalaprilat. Your providers might give you IV fluids to help bring your blood pressure back to safe levels.

Enalaprilat is usually good for the kidneys. But in some cases, it can make kidney problems worse. The risk is higher for people who have certain types of kidney problems, such as renal artery stenosis or kidney problems due to severe heart failure. Your provider might order lab tests every so often to make sure your kidneys are healthy and working properly. Your providers will check your kidneys before starting enalaprilat and periodically during treatment. Your providers will adjust your dose or make other changes to your treatment plan to prevent any damage from getting worse if they notice kidney problems on your lab test results.

Enalaprilat can raise the amount of potassium in your body, which can sometimes be dangerous. Your risk of developing high potassium is greater if you have diabetes or kidney problems or if you're taking other medications that also raise potassium levels. For this reason, make sure your provider knows your full medical history and what medications you're taking before starting treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience signs of high potassium levels, such as nausea, muscle weakness, or abnormal heartbeat.