Comprehensive medication guide to Epaned including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
Epaned is not covered by most Medicare Part D plans. With commercial insurance, copays vary by plan tier — many plans require prior authorization. Medicaid covers Epaned in all 50 states.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$418 retail per 150 mL bottle (30-day supply) for brand-name Epaned; as low as $34–$77 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons at participating pharmacies.
Medfinder Findability Score
62/100
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Epaned is the brand name for enalapril maleate oral solution, 1 mg/mL — the first and only FDA-approved enalapril liquid formulation. First approved on August 13, 2013, and manufactured by Azurity Pharmaceuticals, it was developed specifically for patients who cannot swallow tablets: infants and young children with hypertension, and adults with dysphagia or swallowing difficulties.
Epaned is an ACE inhibitor (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor), a well-established class of blood pressure medications used for decades in both adults and children. Enalapril is one of the most commonly prescribed antihypertensive agents in the United States — Epaned simply delivers it in a precise, weight-based liquid format with a mixed berry flavor for better adherence, especially in pediatric patients.
The current Epaned formulation is a ready-to-use oral solution — no mixing required. Each 150 mL bottle contains 150 mg of enalapril maleate (1 mg per mL). It is FDA-approved for hypertension in adults and children older than one month, symptomatic heart failure in adults, and asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction in adults.
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Epaned contains enalapril, which is a prodrug — it's inactive until absorbed and converted by the liver into enalaprilat, the active form. Enalaprilat is a potent inhibitor of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a critical enzyme in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) — the body's primary blood pressure regulation pathway.
By blocking ACE, enalaprilat prevents the conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II — a potent vasoconstrictor. With less angiotensin II, blood vessels relax and widen, blood pressure drops, and aldosterone secretion decreases (reducing fluid retention). In heart failure patients, these effects reduce the heart's workload and improve cardiac output.
ACE inhibition also increases bradykinin levels in the lungs — which explains the characteristic dry cough experienced by up to 20% of patients on ACE inhibitors including Epaned. Blood pressure-lowering effects begin within 1 hour of a dose, with peak effect at 4–6 hours, and maximum therapeutic benefit achieved after 2–4 weeks of consistent therapy.
1 mg/mL — oral solution
Ready-to-use oral solution in a 150 mL bottle with mixed berry flavor. Adult hypertension: start 5 mg (5 mL) once daily, max 40 mg/day. Heart failure: 2.5 mg twice daily, max 10 mg twice daily. Pediatric (>1 month): 0.08 mg/kg once daily, up to 5 mg.
Epaned is not in an FDA-declared shortage as of 2026, but patients regularly encounter difficulty finding it at local pharmacies. As a brand-only liquid medication with a relatively small patient population, most community and chain pharmacies don't maintain regular inventory. When they do stock it, they typically keep only 1–2 bottles on hand. The result: patients frequently face empty shelves or "we don't carry that" responses.
Specialty pharmacies, independent pharmacies, and mail-order pharmacies are the most reliable sources. Compounding pharmacies can prepare enalapril oral suspension as a backup when commercial Epaned is unavailable. Insurance coverage gaps — most Medicare and many commercial plans don't cover it — further complicate access.
Rather than calling every pharmacy yourself, use medfinder — a service that calls pharmacies near you, checks which ones can fill your Epaned prescription, and texts you the results. This is especially valuable for a medication like Epaned where availability varies dramatically from pharmacy to pharmacy.
Epaned is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling requirements. Any licensed prescriber in the United States can write for it, making it accessible through a wide range of healthcare providers.
Cardiologists (heart failure, LV dysfunction, adult hypertension)
Pediatric cardiologists (infant and pediatric hypertension)
Pediatricians (pediatric hypertension management)
Internists and family medicine physicians (adult hypertension and heart failure)
Nephrologists (hypertension in chronic kidney disease patients)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs)
Telehealth providers can prescribe Epaned in most states, making it accessible via online visits for established adult hypertension patients. For complex pediatric cases or new diagnoses, an in-person specialist evaluation is recommended.
No. Epaned (enalapril maleate oral solution) is not a controlled substance and has no DEA schedule. It is a standard prescription medication with no special prescribing restrictions, no prescription monitoring program (PMP) requirements, and no limit on refills beyond what your prescriber specifies.
Because Epaned is not controlled, any licensed prescriber — including primary care physicians, pediatricians, cardiologists, nephrologists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — can write for it without special DEA authorization. Telehealth providers can also prescribe Epaned in most states without an in-person visit requirement.
Epaned carries a boxed warning for fetal toxicity — it must be discontinued immediately upon detection of pregnancy. The most common side effects include:
Dry, persistent cough (up to 20% of patients — most common ACE inhibitor side effect)
Dizziness and orthostatic hypotension (lightheadedness when standing)
Fatigue and weakness (asthenia)
Rash
Nausea
Angioedema: swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or larynx — medical emergency, call 911 immediately
Hyperkalemia: dangerously high blood potassium levels, especially with kidney disease or potassium supplements
Severe hypotension: significant blood pressure drop especially after first dose in dehydrated patients
Renal impairment: worsening kidney function, particularly in patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis
Fetal toxicity: discontinue immediately if pregnancy detected
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Qbrelis (lisinopril oral solution)
FDA-approved lisinopril 1 mg/mL oral solution. Same ACE inhibitor class, generally more widely available and better covered by insurance. Dose conversion required.
Compounded enalapril suspension
Same active ingredient as Epaned, prepared by a compounding pharmacy. Often less expensive ($30–$70). Requires prescription for compounded formulation.
Generic enalapril tablets
For adults who can swallow. Widely available, Tier 1 on most insurance plans, as low as $12–$15 with GoodRx for 30-day supply.
Losartan (ARB)
Angiotensin receptor blocker — alternative drug class that works similarly but does not cause the ACE inhibitor cough. Compoundable suspension available for pediatric use.
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Aliskiren (in diabetic patients)
majorContraindicated in diabetic patients. Dual RAAS blockade causes severe hypotension, hyperkalemia, and renal failure.
ARBs (losartan, valsartan, etc.)
majorAvoid combination. Dual RAAS blockade significantly increases risk of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and acute kidney injury.
Sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto)
majorDo not use within 36 hours of Entresto. Greatly increased angioedema risk.
NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib)
moderateReduces antihypertensive effect; increases risk of renal impairment. Use acetaminophen for pain relief when possible.
Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone, amiloride)
moderateIncreased risk of hyperkalemia. Monitor serum potassium regularly.
Potassium supplements / salt substitutes
moderateIncreased risk of hyperkalemia. Avoid unless prescribed by physician.
Lithium
moderateACE inhibitors can raise lithium levels. Monitor lithium serum concentrations when initiating or adjusting Epaned.
Loop/thiazide diuretics
moderateRisk of symptomatic hypotension, especially after first dose. Adjust diuretic dose or start Epaned at lower dose.
Epaned (enalapril maleate oral solution) is a medically important medication for patients who cannot use enalapril tablets — particularly infants and young children with hypertension and adults with swallowing difficulties. Its decades-long safety record and FDA-approved liquid formulation make it the gold standard when a liquid ACE inhibitor is needed.
The primary challenges with Epaned in 2026 are access and cost. Most community pharmacies don't stock it regularly, insurance coverage is limited (particularly under Medicare), and the retail price without a discount card can exceed $418 per bottle. Patients and caregivers should start refills early, use discount programs like GoodRx or SingleCare, and explore manufacturer patient assistance if needed. Compounded enalapril suspension is a viable and often less expensive alternative when the commercial product is unavailable.
If you're struggling to find Epaned in stock, medfinder can help. Enter your medication and location, and medfinder will call pharmacies near you to find which ones can fill your prescription — saving you hours of phone calls. Results are texted directly to you.
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Real-time availability
Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Epaned. 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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