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What Is Enalapril?

Enalapril maleate is a prescription angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. It treats hypertension, symptomatic heart failure, and clinically stable asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 35 percent or less. Oral tablets come in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg strengths.

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What Is Enalapril?

Enalapril maleate is a prescription angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. It treats hypertension, symptomatic heart failure, and clinically stable asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 35 percent or less. Oral tablets come in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg strengths.

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How Does Enalapril Lower Blood Pressure?

After absorption, enalapril is converted to enalaprilat, its active form. Enalaprilat inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme, reducing formation of angiotensin II and decreasing aldosterone secretion. These effects reduce vasoconstriction and lower activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Who Is Treated With Enalapril?

Enalapril treats hypertension in adults and pediatric patients older than 1 month. It also treats symptomatic heart failure and reduces progression to overt heart failure in clinically stable patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction and an ejection fraction of 35 percent or less.

How Are Enalapril Tablets Dosed?

Adults with hypertension who are not taking a diuretic commonly start at 5 mg once daily, with a usual range of 10 mg to 40 mg daily. Symptomatic heart failure starts at 2.5 mg and is titrated toward 2.5 mg to 20 mg twice daily. Kidney impairment can require a lower starting dose.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Enalapril?

Enalapril carries a boxed warning for fetal toxicity and is stopped when pregnancy is detected. Other serious concerns include angioedema, severe low blood pressure, kidney impairment, high potassium, and rare liver failure or blood-cell abnormalities. Kidney function and serum potassium are monitored during treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Enalapril

Is enalapril an ACE inhibitor?

Yes. Enalapril is converted to enalaprilat, which inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme.

What is a common starting dose for adult hypertension?

Adults not taking a diuretic commonly start with 5 mg once daily.

Can children take enalapril for hypertension?

Yes. Current labeling includes pediatric hypertension treatment in patients older than 1 month.

Does enalapril have a boxed warning?

Yes. The boxed warning concerns fetal toxicity from medicines that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system.

References

Enalapril. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a686022.html. Date Accessed September 29, 2026.

Enalapril. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557708/. Date Accessed September 29, 2026.

Enalapril Maleate Oral Solution Prescribing Information. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c7934b45-eb6b-44c1-bd2c-ef0fa10850c1. Date Accessed September 29, 2026.

Enalapril Maleate Tablets Prescribing Information. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=7077d32e-4b06-4d48-ba0c-6db2f8ebe08c. Date Accessed September 29, 2026.

VASOTEC (Enalapril Maleate) Prescribing Information. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=39631f1f-5d19-43c1-b504-bf56d991ed97. Date Accessed September 29, 2026.