Vasotec - Chronic Heart Failure? Fight it with Vasotec
If you have hypertension and other chronic heart failure conditions Vasotec is a medication that can be used to treat your condition. If you use Vasotec in conjunction with diuretics and digitalis Vasotec can aid in the prevention of certain conditions which could ultimately lead to heart failure.
Vasotec Facts
Sold under the brand name Vasotec, enarapil is an (ACE) inhibitor. ACE stands for “Agiotensin Converting Enzyme. Enarapil is the first member of the group of ACE inhibitors known as the dicarboxylate-containing ACE inhibitors.
The drug was developed by researchers at Merck & Co. while searching for a new treatment for hypertension by modulating the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAS) system.
Vasotec works by preventing a chemical from the blood called angiotensim from converting into a more potent form that could increase salt and water retention in the human body.
Vasotec is metabolized by various esterases and its elimination is biphasic, with an initial phase which reflects renal filtration and a subsequent prolonged phase. The second phase is thought to be pharmacologically significant in maintaining drug effects.
If you have had a heart attack, Vasotec has been found to be effective in reducing symptoms associated with heart failure whilst improving function of the damaged heart.
If you taking diurectics you will need to be careful that your dosage is not high as this could lower your blood pressure. A lower blood pressure could cause you to develop a potassium imbalanc, salt imbalance, heart complications, or kidney diseases. Vasotec could also cause a serious allergic reaction called angioedema which produces symptoms such as swelling in the face, lips, throat, legs, arms, or difficulty breathing.
Vasotec can damage or even cause death of a fetus if used in the last six months of your pregnancy. Vasotec should be discontinued as soon as possible during pregnancy. You should speak to your doctor about any medications that may be suitable for you whilst pregnant and breastfeeding that will not cause harm to you and your baby.
Vasotec is not suitable for everyone. If you are hypersensitive or have had a history of angioedema you should not use this medicine.
Dosage
The typical oral dose to treat high blood pressure is 2.5-40 mg once daily, for treating heart failure is usually 2.5-20 mg, given twice daily and the recommended intravenous dose is 1.25 mg every 6 hours. You can take Vasotec on either an empty stomach or with food.
Storage of Vasotec
Your medication should be stored in a sealed container away from heat and light and at room temperature. Vasotec is not suitable to be stored in the refrigerator.
Side Effects
Vasotec has been evaluated for safety in more than 10,000 patients but as in all medications there are some side effects ranging from mild to transient that may appear during the course of your use including:
- nausea, fainting, dizziness, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain
- numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- sore or swollen throat
- asthenia, syncopate, chest pain, orthostatic effects
- myocardial infractions, angina pectoris, hypotension, cardiac arrest
- arterial fibrillation, anorexia, stomatitis, peripheral neuropathy
- insomnia, depression, photosensitivity, renal failure
- pneumonia, bronchitis, dyspnea
- Urinary tract infection, gynecomastia, impotence, etc.
If you experience any of the side effects or any others that are not listed you should immediately consult your doctor. Remember, your doctor can only treat you if they are properly and fully informed of all your symptons and conditions.
If you want to learn more about Vasotec click here.
