Key facts about Enalapril
What dosages is Enalapril available in?
Enalapril is available as a 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg oral tablet and a 1 mg/ml oral solution.
What is Enalapril used for?
Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor that is used to treat:
- High blood pressure
- Heart failure
How does Enalapril work?
Enalapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It relaxes your blood vessels by blocking a protein (called ACE) from squeezing your blood vessels.
How do I take Enalapril?
Enalapril is dosed as follows:
High blood pressure
- Adults: The typical starting dose ranges from 2.5 mg to 5 mg by mouth once daily, depending on whether or not you’re also taking a water pill. The maximum dose is 40 mg once daily
- Children ages 1 month and older: Your child’s provider will determine your child’s dose based on their body weight. The typical starting dose is 0.08 mg/kg of body weight (up to 5 mg of Enalapril) by mouth once daily. The maximum dose is 0.58 mg/kg (up to 40 mg of Enalapril) daily
Heart failure
- Adults: The typical recommended dose is 2.5 mg by mouth twice daily. The maximum recommended dose ranges from 10 mg to 20 mg twice daily, depending on your condition
Your dose might be different if you have kidney problems
Is it safe for me to take Enalapril?
Enalapril is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have any of the following:
- History of angioedema
Taking at the same time as aliskiren (Tekturna) for people with high blood sugar
Taking at the same time or within 36 hours of neprilysin inhibitors, such as Entresto (sacubitril / valsartan)
Enalapril Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Enalapril:
- Feeling tired
- Feeling dizzy while standing from a sitting position
- Weakness
- Cough
- Rash
Enalapril Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Enalapril. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Angioedema: swelling (in the face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, or feet), trouble breathing, wheezing, nausea, vomiting
- Severe allergic reaction: trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Serious kidney problems: urinating less often than usual, swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands, unexplained weight gain - High blood potassium levels: nausea, tiredness, chest pain, muscle weakness, tingling or numbness, pounding heart, nausea
- Severely low blood pressure: lightheadedness, dizziness, feeling faint, tiredness, confusion
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Enalapril
The following medications may interact with Enalapril:
- Diuretics: Excessive drop in blood pressure
- Antidiabetics: Increased risk of hypoglycaemia
- NSAIDS: Increased risk of renal impairment and loss of antihypertensive efficacy
- Dual inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system: Increased risk of renal impairment, hypotension and hyperkalemia
- Lithium: Symptoms of lithium toxicity
- Potassium supplements/potassium-sparing diuretics: hyperkalemia
- Do not exceed doses greater than 20 mg daily of simvastatin
- mTOR inhibitors: increased risk of angioedema
- Neprilysin inhibitors: increased risk of angioedema
Who makes Enalapril?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is Enalapril safe in pregnancy?
When used in pregnancy during the second and third trimesters, ACE inhibitors can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus. When pregnancy is detected, Enalapril should be discontinued as soon as possible.













