Enalapril (Vasotec®) Tablets for Hypertension and Heart Failure

What Enalapril Is and How It Works

Enalapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used for hypertension and certain heart conditions. It helps relax blood vessels and reduces strain on the heart. Tablets come in several strengths, including enalapril 5 mg, enalapril 10 mg, and enalapril 20 mg. Your prescriber selects the dose based on your condition, response, and kidney function.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba, and prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing. We work with licensed, vetted partner pharmacies worldwide to supply authentic brands and generics, giving you a broad selection at affordable pricing.

Enalapril decreases angiotensin II and aldosterone levels. This lowers vascular resistance and often improves sodium and water balance. It is commonly used as an enalapril blood pressure medication and for heart failure management. It can also support patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction.

Enalapril maleate tablets are taken by mouth once or twice daily. Many patients take a single morning dose, but divided dosing helps some people. Both food and empty stomach dosing are acceptable; be consistent if possible.

In heart failure, enalapril reduces symptoms, lowers hospitalization risk, and may improve survival. In hypertension, it lowers blood pressure and can protect the kidneys, especially when diabetes or protein in the urine is present. Branded enalapril is Vasotec, and the generic provides the same active ingredient.

Dosage and Usage

• Hypertension starting dose: often 5 mg once daily. If you are on a diuretic, your prescriber may start at 2.5 mg to reduce first-dose dizziness.
• Hypertension maintenance: 10–40 mg per day in one or two doses. Typical total daily dose is 10–20 mg.
• Heart failure starting dose: 2.5 mg twice daily, then titrate as tolerated to a total of 10–20 mg per day in divided doses.
• Kidney impairment: lower starting doses and slower titration are common. Your prescriber will adjust based on creatinine and potassium.
• Older adults or those with low sodium/volume: start low and go slow to avoid hypotension.
• How to take: swallow tablets with water at the same time each day. Tablet splitting may be acceptable if the tablet is scored and your prescriber agrees.
• With or without food: either is fine; pick a routine and stick with it.
• Missed dose: take it when remembered unless near the next dose. Do not double doses.
• Avoid potassium salt substitutes and high-potassium supplements unless directed. Monitor blood tests as advised.
• Pregnancy: stop ACE inhibitors if pregnancy occurs. Enalapril can harm an unborn baby.

• Storage: store at 20–25°C (68–77°F); brief excursions 15–30°C (59–86°F) are acceptable. Keep tablets dry and in the original container.
• Moisture/light: protect from moisture; keep the desiccant in the bottle if present. Avoid humid bathrooms.
• Travel: carry enough supply in original packaging with a copy of your prescription. Keep in your carry-on bag.
• Handling: do not use tablets that are chipped, discolored, or damaged. Appearance varies by maker; enalapril pills can look different between manufacturers.
• Refills: set reminders to reorder before you run out, especially for multi-month supplies.

Benefits and Savings

Enalapril for hypertension reduces blood pressure and supports long-term heart and kidney health. In heart failure, it eases symptoms, improves exercise tolerance, and reduces hospitalizations. Once-daily dosing fits most routines, and generic availability keeps enalapril cost low compared with many newer drugs.

Ordering through our Canadian pharmacy often provides 60–80% savings versus typical U.S. prices. Compare enalapril price options across strengths such as enalapril 10 mg and enalapril 20 mg tablets. A 90-day supply may reduce your per-month cost. Watch for multi-pack offers on certain strengths.

We offer several strengths, including enalapril maleate 10 mg and enalapril maleate 20 mg. Pricing varies by strength and pack size. You may see further value when consolidating refills into fewer shipments.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common: dry cough, dizziness or lightheadedness, fatigue, headache.
• Digestive: nausea, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, altered taste.
• Skin: rash or mild itching.
• Lab-related: increased potassium or small rises in creatinine, especially after starting or increasing the dose.
• Rare but serious: angioedema (swelling of lips, tongue, face), severe hypotension, kidney injury, liver problems, or low white blood cell counts.

Stop treatment and seek urgent help if you develop facial swelling or trouble breathing. Do not use enalapril during pregnancy due to fetal toxicity risk. Avoid combining with aliskiren in diabetes. Be cautious with potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, lithium, or NSAIDs. ACE inhibitors can occasionally lower blood sugar; if you use insulin or a sulfonylurea, monitor for hypoglycemia and discuss dose adjustments with your clinician.

Onset Time

Blood pressure usually starts to drop within one hour after a dose. Peak effect typically occurs by 4–6 hours. Steady blood pressure improvement builds over 1–2 weeks, and full response may take up to 4 weeks as your dose stabilizes.

For heart failure, people may notice breathing and fatigue improvements within days to weeks as congestion decreases. Your prescriber may adjust your diuretic and enalapril at follow-up visits. Track home readings at similar times each day and share them during reviews. For more on hypertension therapy, see our article How Bystolic Works To Manage Hypertension And Heart Health.

Compare With Alternatives

ARBs are alternatives when ACE inhibitor cough or angioedema occurs. Micardis® (telmisartan) blocks angiotensin II receptors and has a lower cough risk. It is taken once daily and is suitable for hypertension and cardiovascular risk reduction in some patients.

Beta-blockers are essential in many heart failure regimens and post-heart attack care. Carvedilol lowers heart rate and blood pressure and reduces mortality in heart failure. It complements ACE inhibitors but is not a direct substitute.

Some people need combination tablets that include a diuretic. Micardis Plus® pairs telmisartan with hydrochlorothiazide to increase blood pressure control when a single agent is not enough. Your prescriber chooses based on your goals and tolerability.

Combination Therapy

• Thiazide diuretics: add hydrochlorothiazide for stronger blood pressure lowering; consider lower starting doses to avoid hypotension.
• Calcium channel blockers: amlodipine can be added for resistant hypertension.
• Beta-blockers: often used in heart failure and post-MI; titrate carefully.
• Loop diuretics: for fluid control in heart failure; monitor electrolytes and kidney function.
• Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: spironolactone or eplerenone help in heart failure; monitor potassium closely.
• Avoid dual renin–angiotensin blockade: do not routinely combine ACE inhibitors with ARBs or aliskiren.
• After sacubitril/valsartan: wait 36 hours before starting enalapril to reduce angioedema risk.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Enalapril for high blood pressure suits many adults with hypertension, alone or with other medicines. It benefits people with symptomatic heart failure and some with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. It may protect kidney function in diabetes with protein in the urine.

Do not use if pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding unless a clinician recommends another option. Avoid if you have a history of ACE inhibitor–related angioedema. Use caution with bilateral renal artery stenosis, severe aortic stenosis, advanced kidney disease, or high potassium. People of African ancestry may have higher angioedema risk.

Your clinician will often check potassium and creatinine before starting and again after dose changes. Report persistent cough, swelling, fainting, or reduced urine output. If you live with High Blood Pressure or Heart Failure, consistent follow-up improves outcomes.

To manage enalapril cost, compare strengths such as enalapril 5mg tablets, enalapril maleate 10 mg, and enalapril maleate 20 mg. A 90-day supply often lowers the monthly price. Bulk promotions can further improve value. Set reorder reminders so you never miss a dose. If your prescriber agrees, using a single daily dose may reduce copays and shipping fees versus twice-daily fills.

Authoritative Sources

Merck: Vasotec (enalapril) U.S. Prescribing Information

FDA Label: Vasotec (enalapril) prescribing information

Order Enalapril from Youdrugstore.com: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express handling.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the medication guide that comes with your medicine.