What safety measures should you take when your child is using enalapril?
Before your child has any medical tests, emergency treatment or any kind of surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that your child is taking enalapril.
Keep all appointments at the clinic or doctor's office so that the doctor can check your child's reaction to enalapril. The doctor may need to change the dose so that your child is getting the right amount.
Your doctor may want your child to watch what kinds of food they eat, especially foods high in salt. Your doctor or dietitian will tell you and your child what kind of foods to eat and what to avoid. Check with your doctor before changing your child's diet in any way.
Your child may feel dizzy or light headed when they start taking enalapril, especially after the first dose. Make sure that your child is at home and will be able to sit down or lie down for some time after taking the medicine for the first time.
Dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting also may happen if your child exercises or if the weather is hot. Heavy sweating can cause loss of too much water and low blood pressure. Be extra careful during exercise or hot weather.
Talk to your doctor before you give your child any potassium supplements or salt substitutes (these products usually contain potassium). A combination of enalapril and these products can cause high levels of potassium in the body.
Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines. There are some medicines that should not be taken together with enalapril or in some cases the dose of enalapril or the other medicine may need to be adjusted. It is important that you tell your doctor and pharmacist if your child takes any other medications (prescription, over the counter, or herbal) including:
- diuretics (water pills)
- potassium supplements
- lithium
- anti-inflammatory tablets taken for pain or arthritis
