Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Enalapril maleate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for Innovace contains an active substance called enalapril maleate. This belongs to the group of medicines called ACE inhibitors (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors). Innovace is used: to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) to treat heart failure (weakening of heart function). It can lower the need to go to hospital and can help some patients live longer to prevent the signs of heart failure. The signs include: shortness of breath, tiredness after light physical activity such as walking, or swelling of the ankles and feet. This medicine works by widening your blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure. The medicine usually starts to work within an hour, and the effect lasts for at least 24 hours. Some people will require several weeks of treatment until the best effect on your blood pressure is seen.
e Innovace Do not take Innovace if you are allergic to enalapril maleate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6) if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a type of medicine similar to this medicine called an ACE inhibitor if you have ever had swelling of your face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which caused difficulty in swallowing or breathing (angioedema) when the reason why was not known or it was inherited
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if you have diabetes or impaired kidney function and you are treated with a blood pressure lowering medicine containing aliskiren if you are more than 3 months pregnant. (It is also better to avoid Innovace in early pregnancy – see Pregnancy section) if you have taken or are currently taking sacubitril/valsartan, a medicine used to treat a type of long-term (chronic) heart failure in adults, as the risk of angioedema (rapid swelling under the skin in an area such as the throat) is increased.
Do not take this medicine if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Innovace: if you have a heart problem if you have a condition involving the blood vessels in the brain if you have a blood problem such as low or lack of white blood cells (neutropenia/agranulocytosis), low blood platelet count (thrombocytopenia) or a decreased number of red blood cells (anaemia) if you have a liver problem if you have a kidney problem (including kidney transplantation), are on a saltrestricted diet, are taking potassium supplements, potassium-sparing agents, potassium-containing salt substitutes, or other drugs that may increase potassium in your blood (e.g., heparin [a medicine used to prevent blood clots], trimethoprim-containing products such as cotrimoxazole [medicines used to treat infections]). These may lead to higher levels of potassium in your blood which can be serious. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose of Innovace or monitor your blood level of potassium. See also information under the heading "Other medicines and Innovace" if you are having dialysis if you have been very sick (excessive vomiting) or had bad diarrhoea recently if you have diabetes. You should monitor your blood for low blood glucose levels, especially during the first month of treatment. The level of potassium in your blood can also be higher if you have ever had an allergic reaction with swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty in swallowing or breathing. You should be aware that black patients are at increased risk of these types of reactions to ACE inhibitors if you have low blood pressure (you may notice this as faintness or dizziness, especially when standing) if you have collagen vascular disease (e.g., lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma), are on therapy that suppresses your immune system, are taking the drugs allopurinol or procainamide, or any combinations of these If you are taking any of the following medicines, the risk of angioedema may be increased:
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certain cough and cold medicines and weight reducing medicines which contain something called a 'sympathomimetic agent' certain pain or arthritis medicines including gold therapy an mTOR inhibitor (e.g., temsirolimus, sirolimus, everolimus; medicines used to treat certain types of cancer or to prevent the body's immune system from rejecting a transplanted organ). See also information under the heading "Warnings and precautions" a medicine containing a neprilysin inhibitor such as sacubitril (available as fixeddose combination with valsartan), racecadotril or vildagliptin. The risk of angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty in swallowing or breathing) may be increased. See also information under the headings "Do not take Innovace" and "Warnings and precautions" non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including COX-2-inhibitors (medicines that reduce inflammation, and can be used to help relieve pain) aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) medicines used to dissolve blood clots (thrombolytics) alcohol.
If you are not sure if any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Innovace. Innovace with food and drink Innovace can be taken with or without food. Most people take Innovace with a drink of water. Pregnancy and breast-feeding Pregnancy If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. Your doctor will normally advise you to stop taking Innovace before you become pregnant or as soon as you know you are pregnant and will advise you to take another medicine instead of Innovace. This medicine is not recommended in early pregnancy and must not be taken when more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used after the third month of pregnancy. Breast-feeding Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or about to start breast-feeding. Breastfeeding newborn babies (first few weeks after birth), and especially premature babies, is not recommended whilst taking this medicine. In the case of an older baby your doctor should advise you on the benefits and risks of taking this medicine whilst breastfeeding, compared to other treatments. Driving and using machines You may feel dizzy or sleepy while taking this medicine. If this happens, do not drive or use any tools or machines. Innovace contains lactose Innovace contains lactose, which is a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine. Innovace contains sodium
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
Innovace Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. It is very important to continue taking this medicine for as long as your doctor prescribes it. Do not take more tablets than prescribed. The score line is only there to help you break the tablet if you have difficulty swallowing it whole. High Blood Pressure The usual starting dose ranges from 5 to 20 mg taken once a day. Some patients may need a lower starting dose. The usual long-term dose is 20 mg taken once a day. The maximal long-term dose is 40 mg taken once a day. Heart Failure The usual starting dose is 2.5 mg taken once a day. Your doctor will raise this amount step by step until the dose that is right for you has been achieved. The usual long-term dose is 20 mg each day, taken in one or two doses. The maximal long-term dose is 40 mg each day, divided in two doses. Patients with kidney problems Your dose of medicine will be changed depending on how well your kidneys are working: moderate kidney problems – 5 mg to 10 mg each day severe kidney problems – 2.5 mg each day if you are having dialysis – 2.5 mg each day. On days you are not having dialysis, your dose may be changed depending on how low your blood pressure is. Elderly patients Your dose will be decided by your doctor and will be based on how well your kidneys are working. Use in children Experience in the use of Innovace in children with high blood pressure is limited. If the child can swallow tablets, the dose will be worked out using the child's weight and blood pressure. The usual starting doses are: between 20 kg and 50 kg – 2.5 mg each day more than 50 kg – 5 mg each day. The dose can be changed according to the needs of the child: a maximum of 20 mg daily can be used in children who are between 20 kg and 50 kg a maximum of 40 mg daily can be used in children who are more than 50 kg. This medicine is not recommended in newborn babies (first few weeks after birth) and in children with kidney problems.
If you take more Innovace than you should If you take more Innovace than you should, talk to your doctor or go to a hospital straight away. Take the medicine pack with you. The following effects may happen: feeling of light-headedness or dizziness. This is due to a sudden or excessive drop in blood pressure. If you forget to take Innovace If you forget to take a tablet, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose as usual. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you stop taking Innovace Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this medicine: Stop taking Innovace and talk to a doctor straight away, if you notice any of the following: swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing. This can occur at any time during treatment. swelling of your hands, feet or ankles if you develop a raised red skin rash (hives). You should be aware that black patients are at increased risk of these types of reactions. If any of the above happen, stop taking Innovace and talk to a doctor straight away. When you start taking this medicine you may feel faint or dizzy. If this happens, it will help to lie down. This is caused by your blood pressure lowering. It should improve as you continue to take the medicine. If you are worried, please talk to your doctor. Other side effects include: Very Common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) feeling dizzy, weak or sick blurred vision cough. Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) light-headedness due to low blood pressure, changes in heart rhythm, fast heartbeat, angina or chest pain headache, depression, fainting (syncope), change in sense of taste shortness of breath diarrhoea, abdominal pain tiredness (fatigue) rash, allergic reactions with swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty in swallowing or breathing high levels of potassium in the blood, increased levels of creatinine in your blood (both are usually detected by a test). Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
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flushing sudden fall in blood pressure fast or uneven heart beats (palpitations) heart attack (possibly due to very low blood pressure in certain high-risk patients, including those with blood flow problems of the heart or brain) stroke (possibly due to very low blood pressure in high-risk patients) anaemia (including aplastic and haemolytic) confusion, sleeplessness or sleepiness, nervousness feeling your skin prickling or being numb vertigo (spinning sensation) ringing in your ears (tinnitus) runny nose, sore throat or hoarseness asthma-associated tightness in chest slow movement of food through your intestine (ileus), inflammation of your pancreas being sick (vomiting), indigestion, constipation, anorexia irritated stomach (gastric irritations), dry mouth, ulcer muscle cramps impaired kidney function, kidney failure increased sweating itching or nettle rash hair loss generally feeling unwell (malaise), high temperature (fever) impotence high level of proteins in your urine (measured in a test) low level of blood sugar or sodium, high level of blood urea (all measured in a blood test).
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) 'Raynaud's phenomenon' where your hands and feet may become very cold and white due to low blood flow changes in blood values such as a lower number of white and red blood cells, lower haemoglobin, lower number of blood platelets bone marrow depression swollen glands in neck, armpit or groin autoimmune diseases strange dreams or sleep problems accumulation of fluid or other substances in the lungs (as seen on X-rays) inflammation of your nose inflammation of the lungs causing difficulty breathing (pneumonia) inflammation of the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, throat reduced amount of urine rash that looks like targets (erythema multiforme) 'Stevens-Johnson syndrome' and 'toxic epidermal necrolysis' (serious skin conditions where you have reddening and scaling of your skin, blistering or raw sores), exfoliative dermatitis/erythroderma (severe skin rash with flaking or peeling of the skin), pemphigus (small fluid-filled bumps on the skin) liver or gallbladder problems such as lower liver function, inflammation of your liver, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), high levels of liver enzymes or bilirubin (measured in a blood test) enlargement of breasts in males (gynaecomastia).
Very Rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people) swelling in your intestine (intestinal angioedema). Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data) overproduction of antidiuretic hormone, which causes fluid retention, resulting in weakness, tiredness or confusion A symptom complex has been reported which may include some or all of the following: fever, inflammation of the blood vessels (serositis/vasculitis), muscle pain (myalgia/myositis), joint pain (arthralgia/arthritis). Rash, photosensitivity or other skin manifestations may occur. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any
not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Innovace Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister and the carton after 'EXP'. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
What Innovace contains The active substance is enalapril maleate (either 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg). The other ingredients are lactose monohydrate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, maize starch, pregelatinised starch, magnesium stearate. The 10 mg tablet also contains iron oxide red (E172) and the 20 mg tablet also contains iron oxide red (E172) and iron oxide yellow (E172). What Innovace looks like and contents of the pack Innovace tablets are available in 4 strengths. The white round shaped tablet, one side marked 'MSD 14', the other side plain, contain 2.5 mg of enalapril maleate. The white, rounded triangle shaped tablet, one side scored* and the other side marked 'MSD 712' contain 5 mg enalapril maleate. The rust-red, rounded triangle shaped tablet, one side scored*, the other side marked 'MSD 713' contain 10 mg enalapril maleate. The peach, rounded triangle shaped tablet, one side scored*, the other side marked 'MSD 714' contain 20 mg enalapril maleate.
*The scoreline is only to facilitate breaking for ease of swallowing and not to divide into equal doses. Innovace is supplied in the following pack sizes: Innovace 2.5 mg – All-aluminium blister packages containing 2, 11, 20, 28, 30, 40, 49 x 1, 50, or 100 tablets. Innovace 5 mg – All-aluminium blister packages containing 2, 14, 20, 28, 28 x 1, 30, 49 x 1, 50, 56, 98, or 100 tablets. Innovace 10 mg – All-aluminium blister packages containing 28, 49 x 1, 30, 50, 98 or 100 tablets. Innovace 20 mg – All-aluminium blister packages containing 10, 14, 20, 28, 28 x 1, 30, 49 x 1, 50, 56, 60, 84, 90, 98, 100 or 500 tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Organon Pharma (UK) Limited Shotton Lane Cramlington United Kingdom NE23 3JU This leaflet was last revised in November 2025. © 2025 Organon group of companies. All rights reserved. PIL.RNT.25.UK.0444.IB-ACE inhibitor and delayed angioedema.RCN005533
Innovace 10 mg Tablets comes as tablet containing 10mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Innovace 10 mg Tablets is enalapril maleate.
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Enalapril 10mg Tablets, Enalapril Maleate Tablets 10 mg. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Innovace 10 mg Tablets, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
• Treatment of Hypertension
• Treatment of Symptomatic Heart Failure
• Prevention of Symptomatic Heart Failure in patients with Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Dysfunction (ejection fraction ≤ 35 %)
(See section 5.1)
Posology
The absorption of Innovace Tablets is not affected by food.
The dose should be individualised according to patient profile (see section 4.4) and blood pressure response.
Paediatric Population
There is limited clinical trial experience of the use of Innovace in hypertensive paediatric patients (see sections 4.4, 5.1 and 5.2).
Hypertension
The initial dose is 5 to maximally 20 mg, depending on the degree of hypertension and the condition of the patient (see below). Innovace is given once daily. In mild hypertension, the recommended initial dose is 5 to 10 mg. Patients with a strongly activated renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (e.g., renovascular hypertension, salt and/or volume depletion, cardiac decompensation, or severe hypertension) may experience an excessive blood pressure fall following the initial dose. A starting dose of 5 mg or lower is recommended in such patients and the initiation of treatment should take place under medical supervision.
Prior treatment with high dose diuretics may result in volume depletion and a risk of hypotension when initiating therapy with enalapril. A starting dose of 5 mg or lower is recommended in such patients. If possible, diuretic therapy should be discontinued for 2-3 days prior to initiation of therapy with Innovace. Renal function and serum potassium should be monitored.
The usual maintenance dose is 20 mg daily. The maximum maintenance dose is 40 mg daily.
Heart Failure/Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Dysfunction
In the management of symptomatic heart failure, Innovace is used in addition to diuretics and, where appropriate, digitalis or beta-blockers. The initial dose of Innovace in patients with symptomatic heart failure or asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction is 2.5 mg, and it should be administered under close medical supervision to determine the initial effect on the blood pressure. In the absence of, or after effective management of, symptomatic hypotension following initiation of therapy with Innovace in heart failure, the dose should be increased gradually to the usual maintenance dose of 20 mg, given in a single dose or two divided doses, as tolerated by the patient. This dose titration is recommended to be performed over a 2 to 4 week period. The maximum dose is 40 mg daily given in two divided doses.
Table 1: Suggested Dosage Titration of Innovace in Patients with Heart Failure/Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Week
Dosemg/day
Week 1
Days 1 to 3: 2.5 mg/day* in a single doseDays 4 to 7: 5 mg/day in two divided doses
Week 2
10 mg/day in a single dose or in two divided doses
Weeks 3 and 4
20 mg/day in a single dose or in two divided doses
* Special precautions should be followed in patients with impaired renal function or taking diuretics (see section 4.4).
Blood pressure and renal function should be monitored closely both before and after starting treatment with Innovace (see section 4.4) because hypotension and (more rarely) consequent renal failure have been reported. In patients treated with diuretics, the dose should be reduced if possible before beginning treatment with Innovace. The appearance of hypotension after the initial dose of Innovace does not imply that hypotension will recur during chronic therapy with Innovace and does not preclude continued use of the drug. Serum potassium and renal function also should be monitored.
Dosage in Renal Insufficiency
Generally, the intervals between the administration of enalapril should be prolonged and/or the dosage reduced.
Table 2: Dosage in Renal Insufficiency
Creatinine Clearance (CrCL)
mL/min
Initial Dose
mg/day
30<CrCL<80 mL/min.
5 - 10 mg
10<CrCL≤30 mL/min.
2.5 mg
CrCL≤10 mL/min.
2.5 mg on dialysis days*
*See section 4.4. Enalaprilat is dialysable. Dosage on nondialysis days should be adjusted depending on the blood pressure response.
Use in Elderly
The dose should be in line with the renal function of the elderly patient (see section 4.4).
Use in Paediatrics
For patients who can swallow tablets, the dose should be individualised according to patient profile and blood pressure response. The recommended initial dose is 2.5 mg in patients 20 to < 50 kg and 5 mg in patients ≥ 50 kg. Innovace is given once daily. The dosage should be adjusted according to the needs of the patient to a maximum of 20 mg daily in patients 20 to < 50 kg and 40 mg in patients ≥ 50 kg (see section 4.4).
Innovace is not recommended in neonates and in paediatric patients with glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, as no data are available.
Method of administration
Oral use.
• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1 or any other ACE inhibitor.
• History of angioedema associated with previous ACE inhibitor therapy.
• Hereditary or idiopathic angioedema.
• Second and third trimesters of pregnancy (see sections 4.4 and 4.6).
• The concomitant use of Innovace with aliskiren-containing products is contraindicated in patients with diabetes mellitus or renal impairment (GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) (see sections 4.5 and 5.1).
• Concomitant use with sacubitril/valsartan therapy. Innovace must not be initiated earlier than 36 hours after the last dose of sacubitril/valsartan (see also sections 4.4 and 4.5).
Symptomatic Hypotension
Symptomatic hypotension is rarely seen in uncomplicated hypertensive patients. In hypertensive patients receiving Innovace, symptomatic hypotension is more likely to occur if the patient has been volume depleted, e.g., by diuretic therapy, dietary salt restriction, dialysis, diarrhoea or vomiting (see sections 4.5 and 4.8). In patients with heart failure, with or without associated renal insufficiency, symptomatic hypotension has been observed. This is most likely to occur in those patients with more severe degrees of heart failure, as reflected by the use of high doses of loop diuretics, hyponatraemia or functional renal impairment. In these patients, therapy should be started under medical supervision and the patients should be followed closely whenever the dose of Innovace and/or diuretic is adjusted. Similar considerations may apply to patients with ischaemic heart or cerebrovascular disease in whom an excessive fall in blood pressure could result in a myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident.
If hypotension occurs, the patient should be placed in the supine position and, if necessary, should receive an intravenous infusion of normal saline. A transient hypotensive response is not a contraindication to further doses, which can be given usually without difficulty once the blood pressure has increased after volume expansion.
In some patients with heart failure who have normal or low blood pressure, additional lowering of systemic blood pressure may occur with Innovace. This effect is anticipated, and usually is not a reason to discontinue treatment. If hypotension becomes symptomatic, a reduction of dose and/or discontinuation of the diuretic and/or Innovace may be necessary.
Aortic or Mitral Valve Stenosis/Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
As with all vasodilators, ACE inhibitors should be given with caution in patients with left ventricular valvular and outflow tract obstruction and avoided in cases of cardiogenic shock and haemodynamically significant obstruction.
Renal Function Impairment
In cases of renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 80 mL/min) the initial enalapril dosage should be adjusted according to the patient's creatinine clearance (see section 4.2) and then as a function of the patient's response to treatment. Routine monitoring of potassium and creatinine are part of normal medical practice for these patients.
Renal failure has been reported in association with enalapril and has been mainly in patients with severe heart failure or underlying renal disease, including renal artery stenosis. If recognised promptly and treated appropriately, renal failure when associated with therapy with enalapril is usually reversible.
Some hypertensive patients, with no apparent pre-existing renal disease have developed increases in blood urea and creatinine when enalapril has been given concurrently with a diuretic. Dosage reduction of enalapril and/or discontinuation of the diuretic may be required. This situation should raise the possibility of underlying renal artery stenosis (see section 4.4, Renovascular hypertension).
Renovascular hypertension
There is an increased risk of hypotension and renal insufficiency when patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis or stenosis of the artery to a single functioning kidney are treated with ACE inhibitors. Loss of renal function may occur with only mild changes in serum creatinine. In these patients, therapy should be initiated under close medical supervision with low doses, careful titration, and monitoring of renal function.
Kidney Transplantation
There is no experience regarding the administration of Innovace in patients with a recent kidney transplantation. Treatment with Innovace is therefore not recommended.
Hepatic failure
Rarely, ACE inhibitors have been associated with a syndrome that starts with cholestatic jaundice or hepatitis and progresses to fulminant hepatic necrosis and (sometimes) death. The mechanism of this syndrome is not understood. Patients receiving ACE inhibitors who develop jaundice or marked elevations of hepatic enzymes should discontinue the ACE inhibitor and receive appropriate medical follow-up.
Neutropenia/Agranulocytosis
Neutropenia/agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia and anaemia have been reported in patients receiving ACE inhibitors. In patients with normal renal function and no other complicating factors, neutropenia occurs rarely. Enalapril should be used with extreme caution in patients with collagen vascular disease, immunosuppressant therapy, treatment with allopurinol or procainamide, or a combination of these complicating factors, especially if there is pre-existing impaired renal function. Some of these patients developed serious infections which in a few instances did not respond to intensive antibiotic therapy. If enalapril is used in such patients, periodic monitoring of white blood cell counts is advised and patients should be instructed to report any sign of infection.
Hypersensitivity/Angioneurotic Oedema
Angioneurotic oedema of the face, extremities, lips, tongue, glottis and/or larynx has been reported in patients treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, including Innovace. Angioedema can occur immediately after starting ACE inhibitor treatment, however severe angioedema may also develop after months or years of long-term treatment with an ACE inhibitor. In such cases, Innovace should be discontinued promptly and appropriate monitoring should be instituted to ensure complete resolution of symptoms prior to dismissing the patient. Even in those instances where swelling of only the tongue is involved, without respiratory distress, patients may require prolonged observation since treatment with antihistamines and corticosteroids may not be sufficient.
Healthcare professionals should review the response to treatment noting standard therapies for histamine-mediated angioedema may be ineffective for bradykinin-mediated angioedema.
Very rarely, fatalities have been reported due to angioedema associated with laryngeal oedema or tongue oedema. Patients with involvement of the tongue, glottis or larynx are likely to experience airway obstruction, especially those with a history of airway surgery. Where there is involvement of the tongue, glottis or larynx, likely to cause airway obstruction, appropriate therapy, which may include subcutaneous epinephrine solution 1:1000 (0.3 mL to 0.5 mL) and/or measures to ensure a patent airway, should be administered promptly.
Black patients receiving ACE inhibitors have been reported to have a higher incidence of angioedema compared to non-blacks.
Patients with a history of angioedema unrelated to ACE inhibitor therapy may be at increased risk of angioedema while receiving an ACE inhibitor (see section 4.3).
Concomitant use of ACE inhibitors with sacubitril/valsartan is contraindicated due to the increased risk of angioedema. Treatment with sacubitril/valsartan must not be initiated earlier than 36 hours after the last dose of Innovace. Treatment with Innovace must not be initiated earlier than 36 hours after the last dose of sacubitril/valsartan (see sections 4.3 and 4.5).
Concomitant use of ACE inhibitors with racecadotril, mTOR inhibitors (e.g., sirolimus, everolimus, temsirolimus) and vildagliptin may lead to an increased risk of angioedema (e.g. swelling of the airways or tongue, with or without respiratory impairment) (see section 4.5). Caution should be used when starting racecadotril, mTOR inhibitors (e.g. sirolimus, everolimus, temsirolimus) and vildagliptin in a patient already taking an ACE inhibitor.
Anaphylactoid Reactions during Hymenoptera Desensitisation
Rarely, patients receiving ACE inhibitors during desensitisation with hymenoptera venom have experienced life-threatening anaphylactoid reactions. These reactions were avoided by temporarily withholding ACE inhibitor therapy prior to each desensitisation.
Anaphylactoid Reactions during LDL Apheresis
Rarely, patients receiving ACE inhibitors during low density lipoprotein (LDL)-apheresis with dextran sulfate have experienced life-threatening anaphylactoid reactions. These reactions were avoided by temporarily withholding ACE inhibitor therapy prior to each apheresis.
Haemodialysis Patients
Anaphylactoid reactions have been reported in patients dialysed with high-flux membranes (e.g., AN 69) and treated concomitantly with an ACE inhibitor. In these patients consideration should be given to using a different type of dialysis membrane or a different class of antihypertensive agent.
Hypoglycaemia
Diabetic patients treated with oral antidiabetic agents or insulin starting an ACE inhibitor should be told to closely monitor for hypoglycaemia, especially during the first month of combined use (see section 4.5).
Cough
Cough has been reported with the use of ACE inhibitors. Characteristically, the cough is non-productive, persistent, and resolves after discontinuation of therapy. ACE inhibitor-induced cough should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis of cough.
Surgery/Anaesthesia
In patients undergoing major surgery or during anaesthesia with agents that produce hypotension, enalapril blocks angiotensin II formation secondary to compensatory renin release. If hypotension occurs and is considered to be due to this mechanism, it can be corrected by volume expansion.
Hyperkalaemia
ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalaemia because they inhibit the release of aldosterone. The effect is usually not significant in patients with normal renal function. However, in patients with impaired renal function and/or in patients taking potassium supplements (including salt substitutes), potassium-sparing diuretics, trimethoprim or co-trimoxazole also known as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and especially aldosterone antagonists or angiotensin receptor blockers, hyperkalaemia can occur. Potassium-sparing diuretics and angiotensin receptor blockers should be used with caution in patients receiving ACE inhibitors, and serum potassium and renal function should be monitored (see section 4.5).
Lithium
The combination of lithium and enalapril is generally not recommended (see section 4.5).
Dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
There is evidence that the concomitant use of ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers or aliskiren increases the risk of hypotension, hyperkalaemia, and decreased renal function (including acute renal failure). Dual blockade of RAAS through the combined use of ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers or aliskiren is therefore not recommended (see sections 4.5 and 5.1).
If dual blockade therapy is considered absolutely necessary, this should only occur under specialist supervision and subject to frequent close monitoring of renal function, electrolytes and blood pressure.
ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers should not be used concomitantly in patients with diabetic nephropathy.
Paediatric population
There is limited efficacy and safety experience in hypertensive children > 6 years old, but no experience in other indications. Limited pharmacokinetic data are available in children above 2 months of age (see sections 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2). Innovace is not recommended in children in other indications than hypertension.
Innovace is not recommended in neonates and in paediatric patients with glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, as no data are available (see section 4.2).
Pregnancy
ACE inhibitors should not be initiated during pregnancy. Unless continued ACE inhibitor therapy is considered essential, patients planning pregnancy should be changed to alternative antihypertensive treatments which have an established safety profile for use in pregnancy. When pregnancy is diagnosed, treatment with ACE inhibitors should be stopped immediately, and, if appropriate, alternative therapy should be started (see sections 4.3 and 4.6).
Ethnic differences
As with other angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, enalapril is apparently less effective in lowering blood pressure in black people than in non-blacks, possibly because of a higher prevalence of low-renin states in the black hypertensive population.
Lactose
Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product.
Sodium
This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium free'.
Medicines increasing the risk of angioedema
Concomitant use of ACE inhibitors with sacubitril/valsartan is contraindicated as this increases the risk of angioedema (see sections 4.3 and 4.4).
Concomitant use of ACE inhibitors with racecadotril, mTOR inhibitors (e.g. sirolimus, everolimus, temsirolimus) and vildagliptin may lead to an increased risk for angioedema (see section 4.4).
Dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
Clinical trial data have shown that dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) through the combined use of ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers or aliskiren is associated with a higher frequency of adverse events such as hypotension, hyperkalaemia and decreased renal function (including acute renal failure) compared to the use of a single RAAS-acting agent (see sections 4.3, 4.4 and 5.1).
Potassium sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, or other drugs that may increase serum potassium
Although serum potassium usually remains within normal limits, hyperkalaemia may occur in some patients treated with Innovace. Potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g. spironolactone, triamterene, or amiloride), potassium supplements, or potassium-containing salt substitutes may lead to significant increases in serum potassium. Care should also be taken when Innovace is co-administered with other agents that increase serum potassium, such as trimethoprim and cotrimoxazole (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) as trimethoprim is known to act as a potassium-sparing diuretic like amiloride. Therefore, the combination of Innovace with the above-mentioned drugs is not recommended. If concomitant use is indicated, they should be used with caution and with frequent monitoring of serum potassium.
Ciclosporin
Hyperkalaemia may occur during concomitant use of ACE inhibitors with ciclosporin. Monitoring of serum potassium is recommended.
Heparin
Hyperkalaemia may occur during concomitant use of ACE inhibitors with heparin. Monitoring of serum potassium is recommended.
Diuretics (thiazide or loop diuretics)
Prior treatment with high dose diuretics may result in volume depletion and a risk of hypotension when initiating therapy with enalapril (see section 4.4). The hypotensive effects can be reduced by discontinuation of the diuretic, by increasing volume or salt intake or by initiating therapy with a low dose of enalapril.
Other antihypertensive agents
Concomitant use of these agents may increase the hypotensive effects of enalapril. Concomitant use with nitroglycerine and other nitrates, or other vasodilators, may further reduce blood pressure.
Lithium
Reversible increases in serum lithium concentrations and toxicity have been reported during concomitant administration of lithium with ACE inhibitors. Concomitant use of thiazide diuretics may further increase lithium levels and enhance the risk of lithium toxicity with ACE inhibitors. Use of enalapril with lithium is not recommended, but if the combination proves necessary, careful monitoring of serum lithium levels should be performed (see section 4.4).
Tricyclic antidepressants/Antipsychotics/Anaesthetics/Narcotics
Concomitant use of certain anaesthetic medicinal products, tricyclic antidepressants and antipsychotics with ACE inhibitors may result in further reduction of blood pressure (see section 4.4).
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Including Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) Inhibitors
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including selective cyclooxygenase‑2 inhibitors (COX-2 inhibitors) may reduce the effect of diuretics and other antihypertensive drugs. Therefore, the antihypertensive effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonists or ACE inhibitors may be attenuated by NSAIDs including selective COX-2 inhibitors.
The co-administration of NSAIDs (including COX-2 inhibitors) and angiotensin II receptor antagonists or ACE inhibitors exert an additive effect on the increase in serum potassium and may result in a deterioration of renal function. These effects are usually reversible. Rarely, acute renal failure may occur, especially in patients with compromised renal function (such as the elderly or patients who are volume-depleted, including those on diuretic therapy). Therefore, the combination should be administered with caution in patients with compromised renal function. Patients should be adequately hydrated and consideration should be given to monitoring renal function after initiation of concomitant therapy and periodically thereafter.
Gold
Nitritoid reactions (symptoms include facial flushing, nausea, vomiting and hypotension) have been reported rarely in patients on therapy with injectable gold (sodium aurothiomalate) and concomitant ACE inhibitor therapy including enalapril.
Sympathomimetics
Sympathomimetics may reduce the antihypertensive effects of ACE inhibitors.
Antidiabetics
Epidemiological studies have suggested that concomitant administration of ACE inhibitors and antidiabetic medicines (insulins, oral hypoglycaemic agents) may cause an increased blood-glucose-lowering effect with risk of hypoglycaemia. This phenomenon appeared to be more likely to occur during the first weeks of combined treatment and in patients with renal impairment (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).
Alcohol
Alcohol enhances the hypotensive effect of ACE inhibitors.
Acetyl salicylic acid, thrombolytics and β‑blockers
Enalapril can be safely administered concomitantly with acetyl salicylic acid (at cardiologic doses), thrombolytics and β‑blockers.
Paediatric population
Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.
Pregnancy
ACE inhibitors:
The use of ACE inhibitors is not recommended during the first trimester of pregnancy (see section 4.4). The use of ACE inhibitors is contra-indicated during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy (see sections 4.3 and 4.4).
Epidemiological evidence regarding the risk of teratogenicity following exposure to ACE inhibitors during the first trimester of pregnancy has not been conclusive; however, a small increase in risk cannot be excluded. Unless continued ACE inhibitor therapy is considered essential, patients planning pregnancy should be changed to alternative anti-hypertensive treatments which have an established safety profile for use in pregnancy.
When pregnancy is diagnosed, treatment with ACE inhibitors should be stopped immediately, and, if appropriate, alternative therapy should be started.
Exposure to ACE inhibitor therapy during the second and third trimesters is known to induce human foetotoxicity (decreased renal function, oligohydramnios, skull ossification retardation) and neonatal toxicity (renal failure, hypotension, hyperkalaemia) (see section 5.3). Maternal oligohydramnios, presumably representing decreased foetal renal function, has occurred and may result in limb contractures, craniofacial deformations and hypoplastic lung development.
Should exposure to ACE inhibitors have occurred from the second trimester of pregnancy, ultrasound check of renal function and skull is recommended.
Infants whose mothers have taken ACE inhibitors should be closely observed for hypotension (see sections 4.3 and 4.4).
Breast-feeding
Limited pharmacokinetic data demonstrate very low concentrations in breast milk (see section 5.2). Although these concentrations seem to be clinically irrelevant, the use of Innovace in breast-feeding is not recommended for preterm infants and for the first few weeks after delivery, because of the hypothetical risk of cardiovascular and renal effects and because there is not enough clinical experience. In case of an older infant, the use of Innovace in breast-feeding mother may be considered if this treatment is necessary for the mother and the child is observed for any adverse effect.
When driving vehicles or operating machines it should be taken into account that occasionally dizziness or weariness may occur.
The following undesirable effects have been reported for enalapril in clinical studies and in post-marketing experience:
Table 3. Undesirable effects of Innovace
System organ class
Very common
(≥1/10)
Common
(≥1/100 to <1/10)
Uncommon
(≥1/1,000 to <1/100)
Rare
(≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000)
Very rare
(<1/10,000)
Not known
(cannot be estimated from the available data)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Anaemia (including aplastic and haemolytic)
Neutropenia, decreases in haemoglobin, decreases in haematocrit, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, bone marrow depression, pancytopenia, lymphadenopathy, autoimmune diseases
Endocrine disorders
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hypoglycaemia (see section 4.4)
Psychiatric disorders
Depression
Confusion, nervousness, insomnia
Dream abnormality, sleep disorders
Nervous system disorders
Dizziness
Headache, syncope, taste alteration
Somnolence, paresthesia, vertigo
Eye disorders
Blurred vision
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Tinnitus
Cardiac disorders
Chest pain, rhythm disturbances, angina pectoris, tachycardia
Palpitations, myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident*, possibly secondary to excessive hypotension in high risk patients (see section 4.4)
Vascular disorders
Hypotension (including orthostatic hypotension)
Flushing, orthostatic hypotension
Raynaud's phenomenon
Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders
Cough
Dyspnoea
Rhinorrhoea, sore throat and hoarseness, bronchospasm/asthma
Pulmonary infiltrates, rhinitis, allergic alveolitis/ eosinophilia pneumonia
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
Diarrhoea, abdominal pain
Ileus, pancreatitis, vomiting, dyspepsia, constipation, anorexia, gastric irritations, dry mouth, peptic ulcer
Stomatitis/aphthous ulcerations, glossitis
Intestinal angioedema
Hepatobiliary disorders
Hepatic failure, hepatitis – either hepatocellular or cholestatic, hepatitis including necrosis, cholestasis (including jaundice)
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Rash, hypersensitivity/angioneurotic oedema: angioneurotic oedema of the face, extremities, lips, tongue, glottis and/or larynx has been reported (see section 4.4)
Diaphoresis, pruritus, urticaria, alopecia
Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, pemphigus, erythroderma
A symptom complex has been reported which may include some or all of the following: fever, serositis, vasculitis, myalgia/myositis, arthralgia/arthritis, a positive ANA, elevated ESR, eosinophilia, and leucocytosis. Rash, photosensitivity or other dermatologic manifestations may occur.
Musculoskeletal, connective tissue, and bone disorders
Muscle cramps
Renal and urinary disorders
Renal dysfunction, renal failure, proteinuria
Oliguria
Reproductive system and breast disorders
Impotence
Gynaecomastia
General disorders and administration site conditions
Asthenia
Fatigue
Malaise, fever
Investigations
Hyperkalaemia, increases in serum creatinine
Increases in blood urea, hyponatraemia
Elevations of liver enzymes, elevations of serum bilirubin
* Incidence rates were comparable to those in the placebo and active control groups in the clinical trials.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Limited data are available for overdosage in humans. The most prominent features of overdosage reported to date are marked hypotension, beginning some six hours after ingestion of tablets, concomitant with blockade of the renin-angiotensin system, and stupor. Symptoms associated with overdosage of ACE inhibitors may include circulatory shock, electrolyte disturbances, renal failure, hyperventilation, tachycardia, palpitations, bradycardia, dizziness, anxiety, and cough. Serum enalaprilat levels 100- and 200-fold higher than usually seen after therapeutic doses have been reported after ingestion of 300 mg and 440 mg of enalapril, respectively.
The recommended treatment of overdosage is intravenous infusion of normal saline solution. If hypotension occurs, the patient should be placed in the shock position. If available, treatment with angiotensin II infusion and/or intravenous catecholamines may also be considered. If ingestion is recent, take measures aimed at eliminating enalapril maleate (e.g., emesis, gastric lavage, administration of absorbents, and sodium sulfate). Enalaprilat may be removed from the general circulation by haemodialysis (see section 4.4). Pacemaker therapy is indicated for therapy-resistant bradycardia. Vital signs, serum electrolytes and creatinine concentrations should be monitored continuously.
Ask anything about Innovace 10 mg Tablets. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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