Comprehensive medication guide to Enalapril including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$10 copay for generic enalapril on most commercial and Medicare Part D plans; typically Tier 1 (preferred generic) on formulary. High-deductible plan members may pay full cash price before meeting their deductible.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$17–$50 retail for a 30-day supply of generic enalapril tablets; as low as $9–$13 with a GoodRx or SingleCare coupon. Brand-name Epaned oral liquid runs $85–$474 depending on coupon and pharmacy.
Medfinder Findability Score
82/100
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Enalapril (brand names Vasotec and Epaned) is a prescription angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), symptomatic congestive heart failure, and asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. It is one of the most widely prescribed cardiovascular medications in the world, included on the WHO List of Essential Medicines, and ranked among the top 200 most prescribed drugs in the United States.
Originally developed by Merck and approved by the FDA in 1984, enalapril's patent expired in 2000. Today it is available as an affordable generic medication in tablet form (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg strengths), an oral solution (Epaned, 1 mg/mL), and an injectable form (enalaprilat, 1.25 mg/mL) for hospital use.
Enalapril is FDA-approved for adults and children as young as 1 month old for hypertension, and for adults with congestive heart failure or asymptomatic LV dysfunction (ejection fraction 35% or below). It is also used off-label for diabetic kidney disease and CKD-related proteinuria.
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Enalapril is a prodrug that is converted by the liver to its active form, enalaprilat. Enalaprilat competitively inhibits the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which normally converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II — a potent vasoconstrictor. By blocking this conversion, enalapril reduces angiotensin II levels, causing blood vessels to relax and widen (vasodilation) and reducing the release of aldosterone, which lowers sodium and water retention.
ACE inhibition also prevents the breakdown of bradykinin, a vasodilatory peptide. The accumulation of bradykinin enhances blood vessel relaxation and contributes to the drug's blood pressure-lowering effect — but also causes the characteristic dry cough seen in 10-15% of patients taking ACE inhibitors.
In heart failure, enalapril's dual mechanism of reducing afterload (by relaxing blood vessels) and preload (by reducing fluid retention) reduces the mechanical burden on a failing heart. Long-term RAAS inhibition also attenuates adverse cardiac remodeling. The SOLVD trial demonstrated that enalapril significantly reduces mortality and hospitalizations in patients with both symptomatic and asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction.
2.5 mg — tablet
Starting dose for heart failure and patients with renal impairment
5 mg — tablet
Common starting dose for hypertension in patients not on diuretics
10 mg — tablet
Most commonly prescribed maintenance dose; used once or twice daily
20 mg — tablet
Higher maintenance dose for hypertension when lower doses inadequate
1 mg/mL — oral solution (Epaned)
Brand-name liquid for infants, children, and patients who cannot swallow tablets
1.25 mg/mL — intravenous solution (enalaprilat)
Hospital use only; for acute hypertension when oral therapy not possible
Enalapril oral tablets are generally available in 2026 — they are not on the FDA active drug shortage list. Multiple generic manufacturers produce enalapril, providing a competitive supply base. Findability is good overall, with a findability score of 82 out of 100 on medfinder's scale.
However, pharmacy-level stock-outs remain a real and frustrating issue for some patients. These localized shortages are driven by generic drug supply chain fragility: thin manufacturer margins, distributor allocation caps, and manufacturer transitions. Specific strengths — particularly the 10 mg tablet — may be temporarily unavailable even when others are in stock.
If your pharmacy is out of enalapril, medfinder can call nearby pharmacies on your behalf and text you the results — saving hours of hold time and wasted trips.
Enalapril is not a controlled substance and has no DEA schedule. Any licensed prescriber with prescribing authority can prescribe it without special registration or licensing. This makes it widely accessible across care settings.
Primary Care Physicians (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine) — most common prescribers for hypertension management
Cardiologists — prescribe for heart failure (HFrEF) and asymptomatic LV dysfunction
Nephrologists — use enalapril for hypertension and kidney protection in CKD and diabetic nephropathy
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) — full prescribing authority in most U.S. states; commonly prescribe for hypertension
Pediatricians and Pediatric Cardiologists — enalapril is FDA-approved for hypertension in children 1 month and older
Enalapril is also widely available through telehealth platforms. Because it is not a controlled substance, there are no telehealth prescribing restrictions. Platforms such as Teladoc, MDLive, Sesame Care, Hims/Hers, and many others can prescribe and renew enalapril for appropriate patients via virtual visits.
No. Enalapril is not a controlled substance. It has no DEA schedule and no abuse potential. This means any licensed prescriber with prescribing authority — including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and telehealth providers — can prescribe enalapril without restriction.
Prescriptions for enalapril can be written for 30-day or 90-day supplies, transferred between pharmacies, and dispensed via mail-order without special authorization. Because it is not a controlled substance, there are no limitations on telehealth prescribing of enalapril — making it accessible through online platforms like Teladoc, MDLive, Sesame Care, and many others.
Dry, persistent nonproductive cough (most common — affects 10-15% of patients)
Dizziness and lightheadedness, especially on standing (orthostatic hypotension)
Headache
Fatigue
Nausea
Elevated potassium levels (hyperkalemia)
Angioedema — sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; call 911 immediately if this occurs
Severe hypotension — very low blood pressure causing fainting or collapse; most common with first dose
Kidney function decline — elevated creatinine; requires dose adjustment or discontinuation in severe cases
Dangerous hyperkalemia — muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat; especially in patients with CKD or taking potassium-sparing diuretics
Fetal toxicity — stop immediately if pregnancy detected (boxed warning)
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Lisinopril
Most widely prescribed ACE inhibitor in the US; once-daily dosing; FDA-approved for hypertension, heart failure, and post-MI; generic under $10/month with coupon.
Ramipril (Altace)
ACE inhibitor with strong evidence in high-CV-risk patients (HOPE trial); once or twice daily; available as generic.
Losartan (Cozaar)
ARB alternative that avoids ACE inhibitor cough; FDA-approved for hypertension and diabetic nephropathy; does not require 36-hour washout if transitioning (unlike ARNI).
Benazepril (Lotensin)
Once-daily ACE inhibitor; well-tolerated; approved for hypertension; widely available as generic.
Prefer Enalapril? We can find it.
Sacubitril/Valsartan (Entresto)
majorContraindicated — do not use within 36 hours of enalapril; significantly increases angioedema risk.
Aliskiren (Tekturna)
majorContraindicated in diabetic patients and those with renal impairment (eGFR <60); dual RAS blockade increases risk of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and renal failure.
Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone, amiloride, triamterene)
majorAdditive hyperkalemia risk; requires close potassium and renal monitoring if used together.
Potassium supplements / salt substitutes
majorAdditive hyperkalemia risk; many salt substitutes contain potassium chloride — patients must disclose all supplement use.
NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin)
moderateReduces enalapril blood pressure-lowering effect; increases renal impairment risk; regular use not recommended.
Lithium
majorEnalapril increases lithium levels; lithium toxicity risk; close monitoring required.
Other antihypertensives
moderateAdditive blood pressure lowering; monitor for symptomatic hypotension, especially at initiation.
ARBs (losartan, valsartan, etc.)
majorDual RAS blockade — avoid combining; increases risk of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and renal failure.
Enalapril is one of the most proven and affordable medications in cardiovascular care. With decades of clinical evidence, FDA approval for multiple indications, and a cash price as low as $9-$13 per month with coupon programs, it remains a cornerstone of hypertension and heart failure treatment in 2026.
While enalapril is generally available and not in a formal FDA shortage, pharmacy-level stock-outs do occur. Patients are best protected by using 90-day supplies, refilling early, and knowing that alternatives like lisinopril exist if enalapril is temporarily unavailable.
If you are having trouble locating enalapril at your pharmacy, medfinder can help you find it in stock nearby — without wasting hours calling pharmacies one by one. Always speak with your prescriber before making any changes to your blood pressure or heart medications.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
Real-time availability
Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Enalapril. We don't publish a number until we have enough verified pharmacy checks to be accurate — start a search and our team confirms current availability near you, usually within 24 hours.
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