SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS 1. TRADE NAME OF THE MEDICAL PRODUCT ENLISIN 2.5 ENLISIN 5 ENLISIN 10 ENLISIN 20 2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each tablet contains lisinopril dihydrate (equivalent to 2.5 mg lisinopril)
Each tablet contains lisinopril dihydrate (equivalent to 5 mg lisinopril)
Each tablet contains lisinopril dihydrate (equivalent to 10 mg lisinopril)
Each tablet contains lisinopril dihydrate (equivalent to 20 mg lisinopril)
For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
White, round, biconvex tablets 6.2 mm diameter in size, scored on one side.
White, round, biconvex tablets 6.2 mm diameter in size, scored on one side.
White, round, biconvex tablets.8.0 mm diameter in size, scored on one side.
White, round, biconvex tablets.8.0 mm diameter in size, scored on one side.
4. CLINICAL INFORMATION 4.1 Therapeutic Indications Hypertension Heart failure Acute myocardial infarction
Short-term (6 weeks) treatment of haemodynamically stable patients within 24
hours of an acute myocardial infarction.
Renal complications of diabetes mellitus
Treatment of renal disease in hypertensive patients with Type 2 diabetes
mellitus and incipient nephropathy (see section 5.1).
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Enlisin should be administered orally in a single daily dose. As with all other
medication taken once daily, Enlisin should be taken at approximately the
same time each day. The absorption of Enlisin tablets is not affected by food.
The dose should be individualised according to patient profile and blood
Hypertension
Enlisin may be used as monotherapy or in combination with other classes of
In patients with hypertension the usual recommended starting dose is 10 mg.
Patients with a strongly activated renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (in
particular, 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 2.5-5 mg is
recommended in such patients and the initiation of treatment should take place
under medical supervision. A lower starting dose is required in the presence of
The usual effective maintenance dosage is 20 mg administered in a single
daily dose. In general if the desired therapeutic effect cannot be achieved in a
period of 2 to 4 weeks on a certain dose level, the dose can be further
increased. The maximum dose used in long-term, controlled clinical trials was
Symptomatic hypotension may occur following initiation of therapy with Enlisin.
This is more likely in patients who are being treated currently with diuretics.
Caution is recommended therefore, since these patients may be volume and/or
salt depleted. If possible, the diuretic should be discontinued 2 to 3 days before
beginning therapy with Enlisin. In hypertensive patients in whom the diuretic
cannot be discontinued, therapy with Enlisin should be initiated with a 5 mg
dose. Renal function and serum potassium should be monitored. The
subsequent dosage of Enlisin should be adjusted according to blood pressure
response. If required, diuretic therapy may be resumed (see section 4.4 and
Dosage in patients with renal impairment should be based on creatinine
Table 1 Dosage adjustment in renal impairment. Creatinine Clearance (ml/min) Starting Dose (mg/day)
* Dosage and/or frequency of administration should be adjusted depending on
The dosage may be titrated upward until blood pressure is controlled or to a
Use in hypertensive paediatric patients aged 6–16 years
The recommended initial dose is 2.5 mg once daily in patients 20 to <50 kg,
50 kg. The dosage should be individually
adjusted to a maximum of 20 mg daily in patients weighing 20 to <50 kg, and
50 kg. Doses above 0.61 mg/kg (or in excess of 40 mg)
have not been studied in paediatric patients (see section 5.1).
In children with decreased renal function, a lower starting dose or increased
Heart failure
In patients with symptomatic heart failure, Enlisin should be used as adjunctive
therapy to diuretics and, where appropriate, digitalis or beta-blockers. Enlisin
may be initiated at a starting dose of 2.5 mg once a day, which should be
administered under medical supervision to determine the initial effect on the
blood pressure. The dose of Enlisin should be increased:
• By increments of no greater than 10 mg
• At intervals of no less than 2 weeks
• To the highest dose tolerated by the patient up to a maximum of 35 mg
Dose adjustment should be based on the clinical response of individual
Patients at high risk of symptomatic hypotension e.g. patients with salt
depletion with or without hyponatraemia, patients with hypovolaemia or
patients who have been receiving vigorous diuretic therapy should have these
conditions corrected, if possible, prior to therapy with Enlisin. Renal function
and serum potassium should be monitored (see section 4.4).
Acute myocardial infarction
Patients should receive, as appropriate, the standard recommended
treatments such as thrombolytics, aspirin, and beta-blockers. Intravenous or
transdermal glyceryl trinitrate may be used together with Enlisin.
Starting dose (first 3 days after infarction)
Treatment with Enlisin may be started within 24 hours of the onset of
symptoms. Treatment should not be started if systolic blood pressure is lower
than 100 mm Hg. The first dose of Enlisin is 5 mg given orally, followed by 5
mg after 24 hours, 10 mg after 48 hours and then 10 mg once daily. Patients
with a low systolic blood pressure (120 mm Hg or less) when treatment is
started or during the first 3 days after the infarction should be given a lower
In cases of renal impairment (creatinine clearance <80 ml/min), the initial
Enlisin dosage should be adjusted according to the patient's creatinine
The maintenance dose is 10 mg once daily. If hypotension occurs (systolic
blood pressure less than or equal to 100 mm Hg) a daily maintenance dose of
5 mg may be given with temporary reductions to 2.5 mg if needed. If prolonged
hypotension occurs (systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg for more than
Treatment should continue for 6 weeks and then the patient should be re-
evaluated. Patients who develop symptoms of heart failure should continue
Renal complications of diabetes mellitus
In hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and incipient
nephropathy, the dose is 10 mg Enlisin once daily which can be increased to
20 mg once daily, if necessary, to achieve a sitting diastolic blood pressure
In cases of renal impairment (creatinine clearance <80 ml/min), the initial
Enlisin dosage should be adjusted according to the patient's creatinine
Paediatric use
There is limited efficacy and safety experience in hypertensive children>6
years old, but no experience in other indications (see section 5.1). Enlisin is not
recommended in children in other indications than hypertension.
Enlisin is not recommended in children below the age of 6, or in children with
severe renal impairment (GFR <30ml/min/1.73m2) (see section 5.2).
Use in the elderly
In clinical studies, there was no age-related change in the efficacy or safety
profile of the drug. When advanced age is associated with decrease in renal
function, however, the guidelines set out in Table 1 should be used to
determine the starting dose of Enlisin. Thereafter, the dosage should be
adjusted according to the blood pressure response.
Use in kidney transplant patients
There is no experience regarding the administration of Enlisin in patients with
recent kidney transplantation. Treatment with Enlisin is therefore not
4.3 Contraindications
• Hypersensitivity to Enlisin, to any of the excipients or any other
angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor.
• History of angioedema associated with previous ACE inhibitor therapy
• Hereditary or idiopathic angioedema.
• Second or third trimesters of pregnancy (see sections 4.4 and 4.6)
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use Symptomatic hypotension
Symptomatic hypotension is seen rarely in uncomplicated hypertensive
patients. In hypertensive patients receiving Enlisin, 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, or has severe renin-
dependent hypertension (see section 4.5 and section 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
patients at increased risk of symptomatic hypotension, initiation of therapy and
dose adjustment should be closely monitored. Similar considerations apply to
patients with ischaemic heart or cerebrovascular disease in whom an
excessive fall in blood pressure could result in a myocardial infarction or
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
In some patients with heart failure who have normal or low blood pressure,
additional lowering of systemic blood pressure may occur with Enlisin. This
effect is anticipated and is not usually a reason to discontinue treatment. If
hypotension becomes symptomatic, a reduction of dose or discontinuation of
Hypotension in acute myocardial infarction
Treatment with Enlisin must not be initiated in acute myocardial infarction
patients who are at risk of further serious haemodynamic deterioration after
treatment with a vasodilator. These are patients with systolic blood pressure of
100 mm Hg or lower or those in cardiogenic shock. During the first 3 days
following the infarction, the dose should be reduced if the systolic blood
pressure is 120 mm Hg or lower. Maintenance doses should be reduced to 5
mg or temporarily to 2.5 mg if systolic blood pressure is 100 mm Hg or lower. If
hypotension persists (systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg for more
than 1 hour) then Enlisin should be withdrawn.
Aortic and mitral valve stenosis/hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
As with other ACE inhibitors, Enlisin should be given with caution to patients
with mitral valve stenosis and obstruction in the outflow of the left ventricle
such as aortic stenosis or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Renal function impairment
In cases of renal impairment (creatinine clearance <80 ml/min), the initial
Enlisin dosage should be adjusted according to the patient's creatinine
clearance and then as a function of the patient's response to treatment.
Routine monitoring of potassium and creatinine is part of normal medical
In patients with heart failure, hypotension following the initiation of therapy with
ACE inhibitors may lead to some further impairment in renal function. Acute
renal failure, usually reversible, has been reported in this situation.
In some patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis or with a stenosis of the
artery to a solitary kidney, who have been treated with angiotensin converting
enzyme inhibitors, increases in blood urea and serum creatinine, usually
reversible upon discontinuation of therapy, have been seen. This is especially
likely in patients with renal insufficiency. If renovascular hypertension is also
present there is an increased risk of severe hypotension and renal
insufficiency. In these patients, treatment should be started under close
medical supervision with low doses and careful dose titration. Since treatment
with diuretics may be a contributory factor to the above, they should be
discontinued and renal function should be monitored during the first weeks of
Some hypertensive patients with no apparent pre-existing renal vascular
disease have developed increases in blood urea and serum creatinine, usually
minor and transient, especially when Enlisin has been given concomitantly with
a diuretic. This is more likely to occur in patients with pre-existing renal
impairment. Dosage reduction and/or discontinuation of the diuretic and/or
In acute myocardial infarction, treatment with Enlisin should not be initiated in
patients with evidence of renal dysfunction, defined as serum creatinine
concentration exceeding 177 micromol/l and/or proteinuria exceeding 500
mg/24 h. If renal dysfunction develops during treatment with Enlisin (serum
creatinine concentration exceeding 265 micromol/l or a doubling from the pre-
treatment value) then the physician should consider withdrawal of Enlisin.
Hypersensitivity/Angioedema
Angioedema of the face, extremities, lips, tongue, glottis and/or larynx has
been reported rarely in patients treated with angiotensin converting enzyme
inhibitors, including Enlisin. This may occur at any time during therapy. In such
cases, Enlisin should be discontinued promptly and appropriate treatment and
monitoring should be instituted to ensure complete resolution of symptoms
prior to dismissing the patients. 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
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. In such cases emergency therapy should be
administered promptly. This may include the administration of adrenaline
and/or the maintenance of a patent airway. The patient should be under close
medical supervision until complete and sustained resolution of symptoms has
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors cause a higher rate of angioedema in
black patients than in non-black patients.
Patients with a history of angioedema unrelated to ACE inhibitor therapy may
be at increased risk of angioedema while receiving an ACE inhibitor (see
Anaphylactoid reactions in 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 different class of antihypertensive agent.
Anaphylactoid reactions during low-density lipoproteins (LDL) apheresis
Rarely, patients receiving ACE inhibitors during low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
anaphylactoid reactions. These reactions were avoided by temporarily
withholding ACE inhibitor therapy prior to each apheresis.
Desensitisation
Patients receiving ACE inhibitors during desensitisation treatment (e.g.
hymenoptera venom) have sustained anaphylactoid reactions. In the same
patients, these reactions have been avoided when ACE inhibitors were
temporarily withheld but they have reappeared upon inadvertent re-
administration of the medicinal product.
Hepatic failure
Very rarely, ACE inhibitors have been associated with a syndrome that starts
with cholestatic jaundice and progresses to fulminant necrosis and
(sometimes) death. The mechanism of this syndrome is not understood.
Patients receiving Enlisin who develop jaundice or marked elevations of
hepatic enzymes should discontinue Enlisin and receive appropriate medical
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.
Neutropenia and agranulocytosis are reversible after discontinuation of the
ACE inhibitor. Enlisin 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 Enlisin 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.
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors cause a higher rate of angioedema in
black patients than in non-black patients.
As with other ACE inhibitors, Enlisin may be less effective in lowering blood
pressure in black patients than in non-blacks, possibly because of a higher
prevalence of low-renin states in the black hypertensive population.
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
Surgery/Anaesthesia
In patients undergoing major surgery or during anaesthesia with agents that
produce hypotension, Enlisin may block 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
Elevations in serum potassium have been observed in some patients treated
with ACE inhibitors, including Enlisin. Patients at risk for the development of
hyperkalaemia include those with renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, or
those using concomitant potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements
or potassium-containing salt substitutes, or those patients taking other drugs
associated with increases in serum potassium (e.g. heparin). If concomitant
use of the above-mentioned agents is deemed appropriate, regular monitoring
Diabetic patients
In diabetic patients treated with oral antidiabetic agents or insulin, glycaemic
control should be closely monitored during the first month of treatment with an
The combination of lithium and Enlisin is generally not recommended.
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).
4.5 Interactions with other medications and other forms of interactions Diuretics
When a diuretic is added to the therapy of a patient receiving Enlisin the
antihypertensive effect is usually additive.
Patients already on diuretics and especially those in whom diuretic therapy was
recently instituted, may occasionally experience an excessive reduction of
blood pressure when Enlisin is added. The possibility of symptomatic
hypotension with Enlisin can be minimised by discontinuing the diuretic prior to
initiation of treatment with Enlisin (see section 4.4 and section 4.2).
Potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics or potassium- containing salt substitutes
Although in clinical trials, serum potassium usually remained within normal
limits, hyperkalaemia did occur in some patients. Risk factors for the
development of hyperkalaemia include renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus,
and concomitant use of potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g. spironolactone,
triamterene or amiloride), potassium supplements or potassium-containing salt
substitutes. The use of potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics or
potassium-containing salt substitutes, particularly in patients with impaired
renal function, may lead to a significant increase in serum potassium. If Enlisin
is given with a potassium-losing diuretic, diuretic-induced hypokalaemia may
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 increase the risk of lithium toxicity
and enhance the already increased lithium toxicity with ACE inhibitors. Use of
Enlisin with lithium is not recommended, but if the combination proves
necessary, careful monitoring of serum lithium levels should be performed (see
Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including acetylsalicylic acid 3g/day
When ACE-inhibitors are administered simultaneously with non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs (i.e. acetylsalicylic acid at anti-inflammatory dosage
regimens, COX-2 inhibitors and non-selective NSAIDs), attenuation of the
antihypertensive effect may occur. Concomitant use of ACE-inhibitors and
NSAIDs may lead to an increased risk of worsening of renal function, including
possible acute renal failure, and an increase in serum potassium, especially in
patients with poor pre-existing renal function. These effects are usually
reversible. The combination should be administered with caution, especially in
the elderly. Patients should be adequately hydrated and consideration should
be given to monitoring renal function after initiation of concomitant therapy, and
Nitritoid reactions (symptoms of vasodilatation including flushing, nausea,
dizziness and hypotension, which can be very severe) following injectable gold
(for example, sodium aurothiomalate) have been reported more frequently in
patients receiving ACE inhibitor therapy.
Other antihypertensive agents
Concomitant use of these agents may increase the hypotensive effects of
Enlisin. Concomitant use with glyceryl trinitrate and other nitrates, or other
vasodilators, may further reduce blood pressure.
Tricyclic antidepressants/Antipsychotics /Anaesthetics
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).
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.
Acetylsalicylic acid, thrombolytics, beta-blockers, nitrates
Enlisin may be used concomitantly with acetylsalicylic acid (at cardiologic
doses), thrombolytics, beta-blockers and/or nitrates.
4.6 Pregnancy and lactation Pregnancy
The use of ACE inhibitors is not recommended during the first trimester of
pregnancy (see section 4.4). The use of ACE inhibitors is contraindicated
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 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.
Exposure to ACE inhibitor therapy during the second and third trimesters is
oligohydramnios, skull ossification retardation) and neonadal toxicity (renal
failure, hypotension, hyperkalaemia). (See section 5.3).
Should exposure to ACE inhibitors have occurred from the second trimester of
pregnancy, ultrasound check of renal function and skull is recomented.
Infants whose mothers have taken ACE inhibitors should be closely observed
for hypotension (see sections 4.3 and 4.4).
Lactation
Because no information is available regarding the use of Enlisin 2.5 during
breastfeeding, Enlisin 2.5 is not recommended and alternative treatments with
better established safety profiles during breast-feeding are preferable,
especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
When driving vehicles or operating machines it should be taken into account
that occasionally dizziness or tiredness may occur.
4.8 Undesirable effects
The following undesirable effects have been observed and reported during
treatment with Enlisin and other ACE inhibitors with the following frequencies:
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) including isolated
Blood and the lymphatic system disorders
rare: decreases in haemoglobin, decreases in haematocrit.
very rare: bone marrow depression, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia,
Metabolism and nutrition disorders Nervous system and psychiatric disorders
uncommon: mood alterations, paraesthesia, vertigo, taste disturbance, sleep
rare: mental confusion, olfactory disturbance
frequency not known: depressive symptoms, syncope
Cardiac and vascular disorders
common: orthostatic effects (including hypotension)
uncommon: myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident, possibly
secondary to excessive hypotension in high risk patients (see section 4.4),
palpitations, tachycardia. Raynaud's phenomenon.
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
very rare: bronchospasm, sinusitis. Allergic alveolitis/eosinophilic pneumonia.
Gastrointestinal disorders
uncommon: nausea, abdominal pain and indigestion
very rare: pancreatitis, intestinal angioedema, hepatitis - either hepatocellular
or cholestatic, jaundice and hepatic failure.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
angioneurotic oedema of the face, extremities, lips, tongue, glottis, and/or
very rare: diaphoresis, pemphigus, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-
Johnson Syndrome, erythema multiforme, cutaneous pseudolymphoma.
A symptom complex has been reported which may include one or more of the
following: fever, vasculitis, myalgia, arthralgia/arthritis, a positive antinuclear
antibodies (ANA), elevated red blood cell sedimentation rate (ESR),
eosinophilia and leucocytosis, rash, photosensitivity or other dermatological
Renal and urinary disorders Endocrine disorders
inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion
Reproductive system and breast disorders General disorders and administration site conditions Investigations
uncommon: increases in blood urea, increases in serum creatinine, increases
rare: increases in serum bilirubin, hyponatraemia.
Safety data from clinical studies suggest that lisinopril is generally well
tolerated in hypertensive paediatric patients, and that the safety profile in this
age group is comparable to that seen in adults.
4.9 Overdose
Limited data are available for overdose in humans. Symptoms associated with
overdosage of ACE inhibitors may include hypotension, circulatory shock,
palpitations, bradycardia, dizziness, anxiety and cough.
The recommended treatment of overdose 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 Enlisin (e.g. emesis, gastric lavage, administration of
absorbents and sodium sulphate). Enlisin 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 frequently.
5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES 5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, ATC
Enlisin is a peptidyl dipeptidase inhibitor. It inhibits the angiotensin converting
enzyme (ACE) that catalyses the conversion of angiotensin I to the
vasoconstrictor peptide, angiotensin II. Angiotensin II also stimulates
aldosterone secretion by the adrenal cortex. Inhibition of ACE results in
decreased concentrations of angiotensin II which results in decreased
vasopressor activity and reduced aldosterone secretion. The latter decrease
may result in an increase in serum potassium concentration.
Whilst the mechanism through which lisinopril lowers blood pressure is
believed to be primarily suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone
system, lisinopril is antihypertensive even in patients with low renin
hypertension. ACE is identical to kininase II, an enzyme that degrades
bradykinin. Whether increased levels of bradykinin, a potent vasodilatory
peptide, play a role in the therapeutic effects of lisinopril remains to be
The effect of Enlisin on mortality and morbidity in heart failure has been
studied by comparing a high dose (32.5 mg or 35 mg once daily) with a low
dose (2.5 mg or 5 mg once daily). In a study of 3164 patients, with a median
follow up period of 46 months for surviving patients, high dose Enlisin
produced a 12% risk reduction in the combined endpoint of all-cause mortality
and all-cause hospitalisation (p = 0.002) and an 8% risk reduction in all-cause
mortality and cardiovascular hospitalisation (p = 0.036) compared with low
dose. Risk reductions for all-cause mortality (8%; p = 0.128) and
cardiovascular mortality (10%; p = 0.073) were observed. In a post-hoc
analysis, the number of hospitalisations for heart failure was reduced by 24%
(p=0.002) in patients treated with high-dose Enlisin compared with low dose.
Symptomatic benefits were similar in patients treated with high and low doses
The results of the study showed that the overall adverse event profiles for
patients treated with high or low dose Enlisin were similar in both nature and
number. Predictable events resulting from ACE inhibition, such as hypotension
or altered renal function, were manageable and rarely led to treatment
withdrawal. Cough was less frequent in patients treated with high dose Enlisin
In the GISSI-3 trial, which used a 2x2 factorial design to compare the effects of
Enlisin and glyceryl trinitrate given alone or in combination for 6 weeks versus
control in 19,394, patients who were administered the treatment within 24
hours of an acute myocardial infarction, Enlisin produced a statistically
significant risk reduction in mortality of 11% versus control (2p=0.03). The risk
reduction with glyceryl trinitrate was not significant but the combination of
Enlisin and glyceryl trinitrate produced a significant risk reduction in mortality of
17% versus control (2p=0.02). In the sub-groups of elderly (age > 70 years)
and females, pre-defined as patients at high risk of mortality, significant benefit
was observed for a combined endpoint of mortality and cardiac function. The
combined endpoint for all patients, as well as the high-risk sub-groups, at 6
months also showed significant benefit for those treated with Enlisin or Enlisin
plus glyceryl trinitrate for 6 weeks, indicating a prevention effect for Enlisin. As
would be expected from any vasodilator treatment, increased incidences of
hypotension and renal dysfunction were associated with Enlisin treatment but
these were not associated with a proportional increase in mortality.
In a double-blind, randomised, multicentre trial which compared Enlisin with a
calcium channel blocker in 335 hypertensive Type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects
with incipient nephropathy characterised by microalbuminuria, Enlisin 10 mg to
20 mg administered once daily for 12 months, reduced systolic/diastolic blood
pressure by 13/10 mmHg and urinary albumin excretion rate by 40%. When
compared with the calcium channel blocker, which produced a similar
reduction in blood pressure, those treated with Enlisin showed a significantly
greater reduction in urinary albumin excretion rate, providing evidence that the
ACE inhibitory action of Enlisin reduced microalbuminuria by a direct
mechanism on renal tissues in addition to its blood pressure lowering effect.
Lisinopril treatment does not affect glycaemic control as shown by a lack of
significant effect on levels of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c).
In a clinical study involving 115 paediatric patients with hypertension, aged 6–
16 years, patients who weighed less than 50 kg received either 0.625 mg, 2.5
mg or 20 mg of Enlisin once a day, and patients who weighed 50 kg or more
received either 1.25 mg, 5 mg or 40 mg of Enlisin once a day. At the end of 2
weeks, Enlisin administered once daily lowered trough blood pressure in a
dose-dependent manner with a consistent antihypertensive efficacy
demonstrated at doses greater than 1.25 mg.
This effect was confirmed in a withdrawal phase, where the diastolic pressure
rose by about 9 mm Hg more in patients randomised to placebo than it did in
patients who were randomised to remain on the middle and high doses of
Enlisin. The dose-dependent antihypertensive effect of Enlisin was consistent
across several demographic subgroups: age, Tanner stage, gender, and race.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Lisinopril is an orally active non-sulphydryl-containing ACE inhibitor.
Absorption
Following oral administration of lisinopril, peak serum concentrations occur
within about 7 hours, although there was a trend to a small delay in time taken
to reach peak serum concentrations in acute myocardial infarction patients.
Based on urinary recovery, the mean extent of absorption of lisinopril is
approximately 25% with interpatient variability of 6-60% over the dose range
studied (5-80 mg). The absolute bioavailability is reduced approximately 16%
in patients with heart failure. Lisinopril absorption is not affected by the
Distribution
Lisinopril does not appear to be bound to serum proteins other than to
circulating angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Studies in rats indicate that
lisinopril crosses the blood-brain barrier poorly.
Elimination
Lisinopril does not undergo metabolism and is excreted entirely unchanged
into the urine on multiple dosing lisinopril has an effective half-life of
accumulation of 12.6 hours. The clearance of lisinopril in healthy subjects is
approximately 50 ml/min. Declining serum concentrations exhibit a prolonged
terminal phase, which does not contribute to drug accumulation. This terminal
phase probably represents saturable binding to ACE and is not proportional to
Hepatic impairment
Impairment of hepatic function in cirrhotic patients resulted in a decrease in
lisinopril absorption (about 30% as determined by urinary recovery) but an
increase in exposure (approximately 50%) compared to healthy subjects due to
Renal impairment
Impaired renal function decreases elimination of lisinopril, which is excreted via
the kidneys, but this decrease becomes clinically important only when the
glomerular filtration rate is below 30 ml/min. In mild to moderate renal
impairment (creatinine clearance 30-80 ml/min) mean AUC was increased by
13% only, while a 4.5- fold increase in mean AUC was observed in severe
renal impairment (creatinine clearance 5-30 ml/min).
Lisinopril can be removed by dialysis. During 4 hours of haemodialysis, plasma
lisinopril concentrations decreased on average by 60%, with a dialysis
Heart failure
Patients with heart failure have a greater exposure of lisinopril when compared
to healthy subjects (an increase in AUC on average of 125%), but based on
the urinary recovery of lisinopril, there is reduced absorption of approximately
Paediatrics
The pharmacokinetic profile of lisinopril was studied in 29 paediatric
hypertensive patients, aged between 6 and 16 years, with a GFR above 30
ml/min/1.73m2. After doses of 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg, steady state peak plasma
concentrations of lisinopril occurred within 6 hours, and the extent of
absorption based on urinary recovery was about 28%. These values are similar
AUC and Cmax values in children in this study were consistent with those
Older patients have higher blood levels and higher values for the area under
the plasma concentration time curve (increased approximately 60%) compared
5.3 Preclinical safety data
Preclinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional
studies of general pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity, and
carcinogenic potential. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, as a class,
have been shown to induce adverse effects on the late foetal development,
resulting in foetal death and congenital effects, in particular affecting the skull.
Foetotoxicity, intrauterine growth retardation and patent ductus arteriosus have
also been reported. These developmental anomalies are thought to be partly
due to a direct action of ACE inhibitors on the foetal renin-angiotensin system
and partly due to ischaemia resulting from maternal hypotension and
decreases in foetal-placental blood flow and oxygen/nutrients delivery to the
6. PHARMACEUTICAL INFORMATION 6.1 List of excipients
Mannitol, calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, maize starch, pregelatinized
starch, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate.
6.2 Incompatibilities 6.3 Shelf-life 6.4 Special precautions for storage
Store below 25°C, protected from light and humidity.
6.5 Nature and contents of container 6.6 Instructions for use/handling 7. MARKETING AUTHORIZATION HOLDER Aegis Ltd, 17 Athinon Street, Ergates Industrial Area, 2643 Ergates, P.O. Box 28629 2081 Lefkosia 8. MARKETING AUTHORIZATION NUMBER 9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORIZATION/RENEWAL OF AUTHORIZATION 10. DATE OF (PARTIAL) REVISION OF THE TEXT
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS 
White, round, biconvex tablets 6.2 mm diameter in size, scored on one side.
White, round, biconvex tablets 6.2 mm diameter in size, scored on one side.
White, round, biconvex tablets.8.0 mm diameter in size, scored on one side.
White, round, biconvex tablets.8.0 mm diameter in size, scored on one side.
4. CLINICAL INFORMATION 
The dose should be individualised according to patient profile and blood
Hypertension 
Dosage in patients with renal impairment should be based on creatinine
Table 1 Dosage adjustment in renal impairment. 
• To the highest dose tolerated by the patient up to a maximum of 35 mg
Dose adjustment should be based on the clinical response of individual
Patients at high risk of symptomatic hypotension e.g. patients with salt
depletion with or without hyponatraemia, patients with hypovolaemia or
patients who have been receiving vigorous diuretic therapy should have these
conditions corrected, if possible, prior to therapy with Enlisin. Renal function
and serum potassium should be monitored (see section 4.4).
Acute myocardial infarction 
Treatment should continue for 6 weeks and then the patient should be re-
evaluated. Patients who develop symptoms of heart failure should continue
Renal complications of diabetes mellitus 
4.3 Contraindications 
Hypotension in acute myocardial infarction 
medical supervision with low doses and careful dose titration. Since treatment
with diuretics may be a contributory factor to the above, they should be
discontinued and renal function should be monitored during the first weeks of
Some hypertensive patients with no apparent pre-existing renal vascular
disease have developed increases in blood urea and serum creatinine, usually
minor and transient, especially when Enlisin has been given concomitantly with
a diuretic. This is more likely to occur in patients with pre-existing renal
impairment. Dosage reduction and/or discontinuation of the diuretic and/or
In acute myocardial infarction, treatment with Enlisin should not be initiated in
patients with evidence of renal dysfunction, defined as serum creatinine
concentration exceeding 177 micromol/l and/or proteinuria exceeding 500
mg/24 h. If renal dysfunction develops during treatment with Enlisin (serum
creatinine concentration exceeding 265 micromol/l or a doubling from the pre-
treatment value) then the physician should consider withdrawal of Enlisin.
Hypersensitivity/Angioedema 
and/or the maintenance of a patent airway. The patient should be under close
medical supervision until complete and sustained resolution of symptoms has
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors cause a higher rate of angioedema in
black patients than in non-black patients.
Patients with a history of angioedema unrelated to ACE inhibitor therapy may
be at increased risk of angioedema while receiving an ACE inhibitor (see
Anaphylactoid reactions in haemodialysis patients 
hepatic enzymes should discontinue Enlisin and receive appropriate medical
Neutropenia/Agranulocytosis 
compensatory renin release. If hypotension occurs and is considered to be due
to this mechanism, it can be corrected by volume expansion.
Hyperkalaemia 
Patients already on diuretics and especially those in whom diuretic therapy was
recently instituted, may occasionally experience an excessive reduction of
blood pressure when Enlisin is added. The possibility of symptomatic
hypotension with Enlisin can be minimised by discontinuing the diuretic prior to
initiation of treatment with Enlisin (see section 4.4 and section 4.2).
Potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics or potassium-
possible acute renal failure, and an increase in serum potassium, especially in
patients with poor pre-existing renal function. These effects are usually
reversible. The combination should be administered with caution, especially in
the elderly. Patients should be adequately hydrated and consideration should
be given to monitoring renal function after initiation of concomitant therapy, and
Nitritoid reactions (symptoms of vasodilatation including flushing, nausea,
dizziness and hypotension, which can be very severe) following injectable gold
(for example, sodium aurothiomalate) have been reported more frequently in
patients receiving ACE inhibitor therapy.
Other antihypertensive agents 
Enlisin may be used concomitantly with acetylsalicylic acid (at cardiologic
doses), thrombolytics, beta-blockers and/or nitrates.
4.6 Pregnancy and lactation 
When driving vehicles or operating machines it should be taken into account
that occasionally dizziness or tiredness may occur.
4.8 Undesirable effects 
very rare: bronchospasm, sinusitis. Allergic alveolitis/eosinophilic pneumonia.
Gastrointestinal disorders 
Reproductive system and breast disorders 
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties 
The results of the study showed that the overall adverse event profiles for
patients treated with high or low dose Enlisin were similar in both nature and
number. Predictable events resulting from ACE inhibition, such as hypotension
or altered renal function, were manageable and rarely led to treatment
withdrawal. Cough was less frequent in patients treated with high dose Enlisin
In the GISSI-3 trial, which used a 2x2 factorial design to compare the effects of
Enlisin and glyceryl trinitrate given alone or in combination for 6 weeks versus
control in 19,394, patients who were administered the treatment within 24
hours of an acute myocardial infarction, Enlisin produced a statistically
significant risk reduction in mortality of 11% versus control (2p=0.03). The risk
reduction with glyceryl trinitrate was not significant but the combination of
Enlisin and glyceryl trinitrate produced a significant risk reduction in mortality of
17% versus control (2p=0.02). In the sub-groups of elderly (age > 70 years)
and females, pre-defined as patients at high risk of mortality, significant benefit
was observed for a combined endpoint of mortality and cardiac function. The
combined endpoint for all patients, as well as the high-risk sub-groups, at 6
months also showed significant benefit for those treated with Enlisin or Enlisin
plus glyceryl trinitrate for 6 weeks, indicating a prevention effect for Enlisin. As
would be expected from any vasodilator treatment, increased incidences of
hypotension and renal dysfunction were associated with Enlisin treatment but
these were not associated with a proportional increase in mortality.
In a double-blind, randomised, multicentre trial which compared Enlisin with a
calcium channel blocker in 335 hypertensive Type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects
with incipient nephropathy characterised by microalbuminuria, Enlisin 10 mg to
20 mg administered once daily for 12 months, reduced systolic/diastolic blood
pressure by 13/10 mmHg and urinary albumin excretion rate by 40%. When
compared with the calcium channel blocker, which produced a similar
reduction in blood pressure, those treated with Enlisin showed a significantly
greater reduction in urinary albumin excretion rate, providing evidence that the
ACE inhibitory action of Enlisin reduced microalbuminuria by a direct
mechanism on renal tissues in addition to its blood pressure lowering effect.
Lisinopril treatment does not affect glycaemic control as shown by a lack of
significant effect on levels of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c).
In a clinical study involving 115 paediatric patients with hypertension, aged 6–
16 years, patients who weighed less than 50 kg received either 0.625 mg, 2.5
mg or 20 mg of Enlisin once a day, and patients who weighed 50 kg or more
received either 1.25 mg, 5 mg or 40 mg of Enlisin once a day. At the end of 2
weeks, Enlisin administered once daily lowered trough blood pressure in a
dose-dependent manner with a consistent antihypertensive efficacy
demonstrated at doses greater than 1.25 mg.
This effect was confirmed in a withdrawal phase, where the diastolic pressure
rose by about 9 mm Hg more in patients randomised to placebo than it did in
patients who were randomised to remain on the middle and high doses of
Enlisin. The dose-dependent antihypertensive effect of Enlisin was consistent
across several demographic subgroups: age, Tanner stage, gender, and race.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties 
Lisinopril does not undergo metabolism and is excreted entirely unchanged
into the urine on multiple dosing lisinopril has an effective half-life of
accumulation of 12.6 hours. The clearance of lisinopril in healthy subjects is
approximately 50 ml/min. Declining serum concentrations exhibit a prolonged
terminal phase, which does not contribute to drug accumulation. This terminal
phase probably represents saturable binding to ACE and is not proportional to
Hepatic impairment 
The pharmacokinetic profile of lisinopril was studied in 29 paediatric
hypertensive patients, aged between 6 and 16 years, with a GFR above 30
ml/min/1.73m2. After doses of 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg, steady state peak plasma
concentrations of lisinopril occurred within 6 hours, and the extent of
absorption based on urinary recovery was about 28%. These values are similar
AUC and Cmax values in children in this study were consistent with those
Older patients have higher blood levels and higher values for the area under
the plasma concentration time curve (increased approximately 60%) compared
5.3 Preclinical safety data 
6.2 Incompatibilities