Zan-Extra (Lercanidipine Hydrochloride And Enalapril Maleate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Zan-Extra Used For?
Zan-Extra is a combination medication that contains two active ingredients working together to manage your blood pressure effectively.
Primary Uses
Zan-Extra is used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems including stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure.
How It Works
Zan-Extra combines two medicines: lercanidipine (a calcium channel blocker) and enalapril (an ACE inhibitor). It works by relaxing blood vessels in your body and reducing resistance to blood flow, which helps lower your blood pressure.
Good to know: Zan-Extra helps control your blood pressure but does not cure it, so you need to take it every day as prescribed by your doctor.
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How to Take Zan-Extra
Taking Zan-Extra correctly is important for it to work effectively in controlling your blood pressure.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one tablet taken once daily. Take Zan-Extra at about the same time each day, at least 15 minutes before a meal. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Taking it at the same time daily will help you remember and ensure the best effect.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take a dose but remember within 12 hours from when it was due, take it straight away, then continue as normal the next day. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip that day's dose and take the next day's dose when due. If you miss several doses, consult your doctor.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. If you have trouble remembering, ask your pharmacist for helpful reminders.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- flushing
- swelling of ankles, feet, or lower legs
- headache
- dizziness
- nausea
- abdominal pain
- taste changes
- diarrhea
- fatigue or sleepiness
- dry cough
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- angina (chest pain or tightness)
- increased or irregular heartbeat
- allergic reactions (rash, itching, hives)
- muscle pain, tenderness, or joint pain
- swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
- difficulty breathing
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before taking Zan-Extra. Please review these carefully with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Zan-Extra
Do not take Zan-Extra if you: are allergic to lercanidipine, enalapril, or related medicines; have heart obstruction, untreated heart failure, or unstable angina; have severe liver or kidney disease or are on dialysis; are taking certain medicines like antifungals, ciclosporin, or specific antibiotics; eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice; have diabetes with kidney problems and take aliskiren; are taking sacubitril/valsartan; have had swelling reactions to ACE inhibitors; are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding; or if the packaging is damaged or expired.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: low blood pressure, recent vomiting or diarrhea, heart problems, blood vessel conditions, kidney or liver problems, blood disorders, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, or if you need surgery, are on a low-salt diet, or have allergies to other medicines.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Zan-Extra should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding as it may harm your baby. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medicine. The medicine can be absorbed by your baby through the womb or breast milk.
Special Population Warning: Black patients have an increased risk of allergic reactions with swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat when taking ACE inhibitors.
Drug Interactions
Zan-Extra can interact with many other medicines, which may affect how well it works or increase side effects.
Grapefruit interaction: Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking Zan-Extra as this may increase the medicine's effects.
- allopurinol, procainamide
- diabetes medicines including insulin or vildagliptin
- arthritis medicines including gold therapy
- carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
- certain anesthetics, antidepressants, and antipsychotic medicines
- cough and cold medicines with sympathomimetics
- ciclosporin
- cimetidine (more than 800 mg daily)
- clarithromycin, erythromycin, troleandomycin
- diuretic tablets
- heparin
- itraconazole, ketoconazole
- lithium
- organ transplant rejection medicines
- metoprolol, propranolol
- anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs)
- other blood pressure medications
- potassium supplements and salt substitutes
- racecadotril
- rifampicin
- ritonavir
- sacubitril/valsartan
- vildagliptin
Alcohol & Driving
Zan-Extra may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery and can interact with alcohol.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Your doctor may ask you to limit or stop alcohol intake while taking Zan-Extra, as alcohol may increase the blood pressure-lowering effects of this medicine.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Zan-Extra affects you. While it generally doesn't cause problems, some people may feel dizzy, light-headed, or faint, especially when first starting the medicine. If you feel light-headed when getting up, do so slowly.
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it's time to take them, as removing them early may affect how well they keep. Store in a cool, dry place below 25°C away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Don't store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you've taken too much Zan-Extra, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine. Taking too much may cause dangerously low blood pressure, irregular and fast heartbeat, and possibly unconsciousness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Zan-Extra helps control your blood pressure, but the source doesn't specify exactly how long it takes to work. Your doctor will monitor your progress through regular appointments to ensure it's working effectively for you.
You should take Zan-Extra at least 15 minutes before a meal, not with food. Taking it on an empty stomach helps ensure the best effect.
Zan-Extra helps control your blood pressure but doesn't cure it, so you must take it every day. Continue taking it for as long as your doctor tells you to. Always speak to your doctor before deciding to stop taking any of your medicines.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Your doctor may ask you to limit or stop your alcohol intake while taking Zan-Extra, as alcohol may increase the blood pressure-lowering effects of this medicine.
If you remember within 12 hours of when the dose was due, take it straight away and continue normally the next day. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip that day's dose and take the next day's dose when due. Never take a double dose.
No, do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking Zan-Extra, as these may increase the effects of this medicine and could be dangerous.
Yes, always remind any doctor, dentist, or pharmacist you visit that you are taking Zan-Extra. If you need surgery, tell the anesthetist that you are taking this medicine.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.