What is hydrochlorothiazide and enalapril?
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.
Enalapril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme. Enalapril lowers blood pressure and also relieves symptoms of fluid retention.
The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and enalapril is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Hydrochlorothiazide and enalapril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide and enalapril?
You should not use this medication if you are unable to urinate.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to any other ACE inhibitor, such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).
Before taking hydrochlorothiazide and enalapril, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (or are on dialysis), liver disease, glaucoma, congestive heart failure, asthma, gout, lupus, diabetes, or an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin.
Do not use hydrochlorothiazide and enalapril if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide and enalapril, unless your doctor has told you to.
Conditions that may cause very low blood pressure include: vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low-salt diet, or taking diuretics (water pills). Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while taking hydrochlorothiazide and enalapril. Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydrochlorothiazide and enalapril?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or enalapril, or if you are unable to urinate.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to any other ACE inhibitor, such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).
To make sure you can safely take hydrochlorothiazide and enalapril, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
glaucoma;
congestive heart failure;
asthma;
gout;
lupus;
diabetes; or
an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use hydrochlorothiazide and enalapril if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Hydrochlorothiazide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.