Enalap belongs to a group of medicines known as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It relaxes and widens the blood vessels, making it easier for the blood to pass through the vessels. As a result of this, the heart does not have to work more to push the blood. Since the workload on the heart is reduced, it helps to lower the blood pressure and thus reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is also used for the treatment and prevention of congestive heart failure.

Enalap starts reducing blood pressure within few hours. However, it may take few weeks to see full benefits. You may not notice any difference after taking Enalap for high blood pressure, it can only be noticed when you get your blood pressure checked. So, keep taking the medicine to feel better. If you are taking Enalap for heart failure, it may take few weeks to months before you start feeling better.

You may have to take Enalap for long time (even for life time), until and unless any serious side effect starts bothering and deters you from taking it. However, do not stop taking it without the advice of your doctor.

Inform your doctor that you are taking Enalap, before surgery, especially when the use of general anesthetic (to put you to sleep) is recommended. This is done because Enalap can reduce your blood pressure when it is used with an anesthetic. Hence, your doctor may advise you to stop taking Enalap 24 hours before surgery.

Yes, Enalap is generally well tolerated by most people and can be taken for long term. However, its long-term use can sometimes cause your kidneys to not work properly. Your doctor will get regular blood tests done to check whether your kidneys are functioning properly or not.

You have to be careful when taking Enalap with hydrochlorothiazide, as it can further decrease your blood pressure. You may also develop symptoms of kidney failure, such as a reduced amount of urine, swelling of your legs, ankles, and feet from retention of water. While some may experience unexplained shortness of breath, excessive drowsiness or fatigue, persistent nausea, confusion, pain or pressure in your chest and seizures (fits). These symptoms usually occur if there is substantial water or salt loss prior to starting Enalap. Therefore, if you face any such issues contact your doctor who will either advise you to discontinue hydrochlorothiazide or give a lower dose. The doctor may also advise you Enalap in very low doses when used in combination with hydrochlorothiazide.

In rare cases, Enalap may cause yellowing of skin and eyes, loss of appetite and an increase in liver enzymes. It can also cause considerable damage to the liver and even death. Therefore, if you experience any such symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

You should avoid taking ibuprofen and Enalap together since there is a risk of kidney damage. Also, this combined usage may reduce the effectiveness of Enalap. Consult your doctor for an alternative to ibuprofen.

You should not stop taking Enalap without consulting your doctor. Doing this can suddenly increase your blood pressure which may cause a risk of heart attack or stroke. If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor who will prescribe you another medicine.

No, Enalap does not cause excessive urination (loss of water through urine). The use of Enalap may not affect normally functioning kidneys. However, damage to the kidneys may occur when Enalap is given with a diuretic (water pill, a medicine that increases the urine output). In such a case, either the diuretic should be discontinued or its dose should be reduced. If you have severe heart failure or your kidneys are already affected then there is a risk of kidney failure. However, timely and appropriate treatment can reverse the damage caused to kidneys.