Acetec (Enalapril 20mg) 90 Tablets/pack

Acetec general information

What is Acetec used for?

Cardiovascular disease covers a range of heart and circulation problems, including high blood pressure and heart failure.  Acetec tablets 20mg are a specific type of medicine used to treat both high blood pressure and heart failure, which can lead to heart attack and stroke if left untreated.  Acetec is also used to prevent heart failure from getting worse and developing severe symptoms.

High blood pressure

Blood pressure is the force of your heart pumping blood around the body, combined with the resistance of the artery walls to the blood, as it is forced into the circulation.  Two blood pressure measurements indicate whether your blood pressure is within the normal range.  Systolic pressure measures the force generated by the heart contracting with each heartbeat as it pumps blood out into the arteries.  Diastolic pressure is the resting phase between each heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and the heart fills with blood.  When your blood pressure is measured, it is expressed as systolic pressure (the highest measure) over diastolic pressure (the lowest measure). 

If the arteries become narrowed or constricted, this increases their resistance, and more force is needed to pump blood around the body.  This causes hypertension, which is high blood pressure when your body is relaxed and at rest.  High blood pressure puts a strain on the heart by increasing its workload and its need for more oxygen.  The extra force of blood in the circulation can damage blood vessels, especially smaller blood vessels, such as those in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney damage.  Hypertension also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attack.  There are usually no symptoms of high blood pressure, so you will only know if you have high blood pressure by having a check. 

Acetec tablets 20mg lowers your blood pressure to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and to reduce renovascular hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the kidneys, a cause of kidney failure.

What is heart failure?

If the heart muscle becomes weakened due to blocked arteries supplying the heart (coronary arteries), this can damage the heart muscle, causing ischemic heart disease, which means the heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen to function well and cannot pump blood around the body efficiently.  This condition is known as congestive heart failure.  As the heart works harder to keep pumping, more strain is put on the heart muscle, which makes the situation worse.  You may have no symptoms at first, but as the condition worsens you may start to feel breathless on exertion and notice swelling around your ankles and feet.  This oedema, which is fluid collection in the tissues due to poor circulation, can also happen around the heart.  Heart failure can be caused by several factors including coronary artery disease (blocked arteries), damage to the heart muscle due to a heart attack, a damaged heart valve, infection and excess alcohol. 

Acetec tablets 20mg can help treat heart failure with or without symptoms, to prevent it worsening, which often then requires hospital treatment.  Acetec 20 also helps reduce the risk of heart attack and the need for hospitalisation due to severe heart failure as symptoms worsen, including unstable angina, which is pain caused by blocked arteries and reduced blood flow through the heart. 

How does Acetec work?

Acetec tablets 20mg contain enalapril, an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that is used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure.  Angiotensin is a hormone that interacts with several parts of the body to regulate blood pressure, and the hormone system is known as the renin-angiotensin system.  It is produced first as angiotensinogen in the liver and is converted first to angiotensin I by the action of the enzyme renin in the kidney, then to its active form Angiotensin II by the action of the enzyme Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE).  Angiotensin II acts on the central nervous system to stimulate the production of a hormone called vasopressin also known as antidiuretic hormone, which acts on the kidneys to increase salt and water retention by the kidneys.  Angiotensin II also acts directly on the smooth muscle of the blood vessels causing them to contract, which constricts and narrows the blood vessels.  These actions of Angiotensin II result in increased blood volume and narrowing of the blood vessels, which raises blood pressure. 

Enalapril in Acetec tablets 20mg blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II by inhibiting the action of ACE.  This reduces blood volume and allows blood vessels to relax and expand, so that blood can flow more freely and without resistance, lowering blood pressure.  As blood pressure is reduced, the workload on the heart is also reduced, allowing the heart to pump more efficiently and reducing symptoms of heart failure. 

Angiotensin II also stimulates the production of the hormone aldosterone by the adrenal gland.  Aldosterone regulates salt and water retention by the kidneys.  Enalapril in Acetec tablets 20mg inhibits the production of aldosterone, reducing the uptake of salt and water by the kidneys, which reduces blood volume and fluid retention in the tissues. 

What does Acetec contain?

Acetec tablets 20mg contain the active ingredient enalapril maleate 20mg, an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat hypertension and heart failure.  They also contain sodium hydrogen carbonate, pregelatinized starch, maize starch, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate

What are the side effects of Acetec?

Most medications have some side effects, but they are not experienced by everyone.  Some side effects are commonly experienced when taking Acetec 20, but others are not so common, and you should discuss any problems or concerns with your primary care physician. 

Common side effects when taking Acetec include dizziness, headache, cough, blurred vision, hypotension, hypotension, syncope (fainting), nausea, diarrhoea, muscle cramps, dyspnoea (shortness of breath).

When should Acetec not be used?

Have a talk with your primary healthcare physician before taking Acetec so that you have a full understanding of what this medicine is for and how to use it.  There are some reasons for not taking a medication; these are called contraindications, and for Acetec you should consider the following before taking Acetec:

• Have you ever had an unusual reaction or an allergy when taking Acetec?
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
• Do you have any problems with your kidneys or are having dialysis?
• If you have diabetes, you may need to have your blood glucose levels monitored
• Do you have a problem with rapid swelling under the skin (angioedema)
• Are taking potassium tablets or potassium-containing salt substitutes?

What medications interact with Acetec?

Some medicines interact with Acetec 20 and may affect the way it works, or are affected by Acetec or increase side effects; you should discuss possible interactions with your primary care physician.  These may include potassium-sparing diuretics like spironolactone, lithium for mood disorders, antidiabetics like insulin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) like diclofenac or ibuprofen, lithium for mood disorders, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), other antihypertensives like methyldopa, calcium entry blockers or beta-blockers. 

If other medications may interact with Acetec, your doctor will discuss these with you. 

How should Acetec be taken and for how long?

You should take your Acetec tablets 20mg with a glass of water, with or without food, once or twice daily, depending on your doctor’s recommendations and what you are being treated for.  Your dose may be increased depending on how well you respond. 

Acetec tablets 20mg help improve your condition but do not cure it, therefore, you should continue to take your Acetec tablets 20mg for as long as your doctor recommends.  Acetec tablets 20mg may take a few weeks to lower blood pressure, and you should keep taking Acetec tablets 20mg even if you feel well, as often there are no symptoms for high blood pressure. 

Missed dose of Acetec

If you miss a dose of Acetec take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Acetec be stored?

You should store your Acetec below 25°C in a cool dry place.