Medication to Treat Hypertension and Congestive Heart Failure

Enalapril maleate is useful in the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure. It is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The drug is a second ACE inhibitor to be approved for use in the United States in 1985. It is still widely used to treat symptoms. The indication to use Enalapril include hypertension, symptomatic heart failure, and prevention of progression of left ventricular dysfunction. It also includes Diabetic kidney.

How does Enalapril maleate work?

Enalapril maleate belongs to the class of medication known as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). ACE converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II. The angiotensin II regulates the blood pressure. Enalapril is a prodrug that is converted into Enalaprilat in the liver. It blocks certain substances in the body that tighten the blood vessels. So the blood vessel relaxes. The oxygen and blood supply to the heart increases.

This changes lowers the blood pressure in the body. The drug also makes easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. It starts to work within an hour and effect lasts for at least 24 hours.

How to take Enalapril maleate?

• Enalapril maleate is available in the form of a tablet of strength 2.5 mg and 10 mg. These are oral tablets to take by mouth.
• Initial dose: 2.5 mg two times a day.
• General dose: 2.5 mg to 20 mg two times a day.
• Maximum dose: 40 mg in divided doses.
• Children dose: 0.08 mg/kg (up to 5 mg) one time a day. Doses more than 40 mg or 0.58 mg/kg is not studied in pediatric patients.
• General instructions:
• Take the medicine without regard to the meal.
• In case of a Gastro-intestinal upset, give with food.

What are the uses of Enalapril maleate?

It treats,

• Symptomatic CHF in combination with diuretics and digitalis.
• Asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction.
• Heart failure in combination with other medication.
• Sometimes treats Kidney disease related to diabetes.

Off-label uses include,

• Diabetic neuropathy.
• Raynaud phenomenon.

other uses,

• Allows smooth blood flow.
• Relaxes blood vessels.
• Makes it easy for the heart to pump more blood.
• Prevents conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.
• Your doctor may prescribe it for some other uses. Discuss with your doctor.

What are the precautions in taking Enalapril maleate?

• It is necessary to take precautions in certain cases. Tell your doctor if you are/have
• Kidney disease.
• Pregnant
• Dental or other surgery.
• Allergic to Enalapril or other ingredients in the drug.
• Allergic to other ACE inhibitors.
• Drink plenty of water when you take this medicine.
• Inform your doctor regarding other medicines you take.
• Check your blood pressure at regular intervals to determine your response to Enalapril.
• Take your medicines on time as the drug controls the disease and do not cure them.
• Maintain a diet with low fat and salt.

Cost of Enalapril maleate (Generic and brand).

We sell cheap generic medicines. They contain same active ingredient as the brand ones. The difference lies in the price of the two. The cost of Brand version like Vasotec is more. It is due to packaging, pricing and their brand name.

Enalapril maleate is cheap due to many cost-saving measures.  It doesn’t include the expenditure for research and development. Bulk sources from the manufacturer decrease their cost further.

Cost of Generic Enalapril maleate.

Pack of 60 tablets of strength 2.5 mg costs $ 10, per unit cost is $ 0.17.

Pack of 60 tablets of strength 10 mg costs $ 24, per unit cost is $ 0.4.

Cost of brand Vasotec.

Pack of 60 tablets of strength 2.5 mg costs $ 927.11, per unit cost is $ 15.45.

Pack of 60 tablets of strength 10 mg costs $ 1182.24, per unit cost is $ 19.70.