Vasotec is an ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It works by relaxing blood vessels and decreasing blood volume. Vasotec may also be used to treat disorders in the heart’s ventricles that decrease its ability to pump blood.

Always follow your doctor’s instructions and use Vasotec exactly as prescribed.

• Take with or without food.
• You may be easily dehydrated while taking Vasotec. Take care to drink enough water and call your doctor if you have excessive sweating, ongoing vomiting or diarrhea.
• High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Continue using Vasotec even if you feel well.

Don’t use Vasotec if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not use Vasotec if you have ever had angioedema or within 36 hours of taking medicine that contains sacubatril.

If you have diabetes, do not take Vasotec together with medications that contain aliskiren (Tekturna, Tekamlo).

Before taking Vasotec, inform your doctor if you have any of the following:

• Kidney or liver disease
• History of stroke or blood clots
• Heart disease or congestive heart failure (unless you take Vasotec for this condition)
• Electrolyte imbalances

Tell your doctor about any other medication you take, especially:

• Lithium
• NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, meloxicam, celecoxib, diclofenac)
• Diuretics (water pills)
• Gold injections

Common side effects of Vasotec include:

• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Cough
• Feeling light-headed

Contact your doctor if you experience these serious side effects:

• Feeling light headed or passing out
• Slow heartbeats
• Pounding heartbeat or fluttering in chest
• Producing little or no urine
• Jaundice
• Numbness, tingling, or burning in hands and feet
• Flu symptoms (fever, chills, body aches)
• Pale skin, bruising, bleeding
• High potassium – weakness, nausea, slow heart rate, loss of movement

Can I drink alcohol while taking Vasotec?

Drinking alcohol can lower your blood pressure, and may increase side effects of Vasotec like dizziness and tiredness. Use alcohol carefully and inform your doctor of any adverse effects.

Which painkillers are safe to use while on Vasotec?

Most NSAID drugs aren’t safe for people with high blood pressure to take, and may interfere with how ACE inhibitors like Vasotec work. Ask your doctor about a suitable replacement for these drugs.