Like all medicines, enalapril can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones.
Side effects often get better as your body gets used to the medicine.
Common side effects
These common side effects of enalapril happen in more than 1 in 100 people. They are usually mild and only last for a short time. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Dry, tickly cough
Cough medicines do not usually help coughs caused by enalapril. Sometimes the cough will get better on its own if you keep taking enalapril.
Talk to your doctor if it carries on, bothers you or stops you from sleeping. Another medicine may suit you better. If your doctor recommends that you stop taking enalapril, the cough may take a few days to a month to go away.
Feeling dizzy
If enalapril makes you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not faint, then sit until you feel better.
Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery while you're feeling dizzy.
Headaches
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Try not to drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller.
Talk to your doctor if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe.
Diarrhoea
Drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
If you take the combined contraceptive pill or the progestogen-only pill and you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. If this happens, follow the instructions in the leaflet that comes with your pills.
Itching or a mild rash
It may help to take an antihistamine which you can buy from a pharmacy. Check with the pharmacist to see what type is suitable for you
Blurred vision
Avoid driving, cycling or using tools or machines while this is happening. If it lasts for more than a day or two speak to your doctor as they may need to change your treatment.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
Serious side effects
Some people have serious side effects after taking enalapril.
Call a doctor or call 111 now if:
- the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow (this may be less noticeable on brown or black skin) – this could be a sign of liver problems
- you look paler than usual, feel tired, faint or dizzy, have signs of bleeding (like bleeding from the gums or bruising more easily), sore throat and a high temperature and get infections more easily – these could be signs of a blood or bone marrow disorder
- you have severe stomach pain that could reach through to your back – this could be a sign of an inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis)
- you have swollen ankles, blood in your pee or you're not peeing at all – these could be signs of kidney problems
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- you get weakness in your arms or legs or problems speaking – it's important to get these checked in case they are signs of a stroke
- you get a faster or irregular heart rate, chest pain and tightness in your chest – these could be signs of heart problems
- you are short of breath, are wheezing and your chest feels tight – these could be signs of lung problems
Do not drive yourself to A&E.
The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
Serious allergic reaction
It is possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to enalapril.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Do not drive yourself to A&E.
The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
Long-term side effects
Taking enalapril for a long time can sometimes cause your kidneys to not work as well as they should. Your doctor will check how well your kidneys are working with regular blood tests.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of enalapril. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.
Visit the Yellow Card website for more information about reporting side effects.