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aliskiren vs enalapril

Side-by-side comparison of aliskiren and enalapril. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

major Known Drug Interaction

Dual Blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) Dual blockade of the RAS with angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, or aliskiren is associated with increased risks of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and changes in renal function (including acute renal failure) compared to monotherapy. Do not coadminister aliskiren with enalapril maleate in patients with diabetes. Avoid use of aliskiren with enalapril maleate in patients with renal impairment (GFR <60 mL/min).

Recommendation: Avoid taking these together if you have diabetes or kidney disease, as it can be harmful.

Drug Class
aliskiren Direct Renin Inhibitor
enalapril ACE Inhibitor
Type
aliskiren Prescription
enalapril Prescription
Summary
aliskiren

Tekturna is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure. It helps lower blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

enalapril

Enalapril (Vasotec) is a medicine that lowers blood pressure and helps treat heart failure. It belongs to a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors.

What It Treats
aliskiren

Tekturna is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children who weigh at least 110 pounds and are 6 years or older. Lowering your blood pressure helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. It is important to manage high blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle too.

enalapril

Enalapril is used to treat high blood pressure. It can be used alone or with other blood pressure medicines, like water pills. Enalapril also treats symptomatic congestive heart failure, usually with other medicines. It can also help clinically stable patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

How It Works
aliskiren

Tekturna works by blocking a substance in your body called renin. Renin helps to control your blood pressure. By blocking renin, Tekturna helps to lower your blood pressure.

enalapril

Enalapril blocks a substance in your body that tightens blood vessels. This helps your blood vessels relax and widens them. As a result, blood pressure is lowered, and blood can flow more easily.

Common Side Effects
aliskiren
  • Diarrhea
enalapril
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Cough
FAERS Reports
aliskiren
  • Weakness 367
  • Fall 356
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 336
  • Shortness of breath 314
  • Headache 301
enalapril
  • Diarrhea 2,806
  • Difficulty breathing 2,659
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 2,571
  • Tiredness 2,374
  • Medicine interfering with another medicine 2,337
Serious Warnings
aliskiren

Tekturna can harm your unborn baby, even causing death. If you become pregnant, stop taking Tekturna right away and tell your doctor.

enalapril

This drug can harm your unborn baby. Stop taking enalapril as soon as you know you are pregnant.

Pregnancy
aliskiren

Tekturna can cause serious harm or death to an unborn baby. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about other blood pressure medicines. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking Tekturna.

enalapril

Do not take enalapril if you are pregnant because it can cause harm or death to the developing fetus. Talk to your doctor about safe alternatives if you are breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This aliskiren vs enalapril Comparison

aliskiren is classified in the Direct Renin Inhibitor drug class, while enalapril sits within the ACE Inhibitor class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, aliskiren has 1,674 submissions while enalapril has 12,747. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known major interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to both drugs work on the same system to lower blood pressure, which can lead to dangerously low blood pressure or kidney damage.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between aliskiren and enalapril - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.