Kadril

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Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Kadril

What is Kadril?

Kadril is a pharmaceutical formulation that combines two active ingredients: diphenhydramine hydrochloride and ammonium chloride. It is primarily utilized as an expectorant and antihistamine combination to manage symptoms associated with the common cold, upper respiratory allergies, and bronchial irritation.

Components and Mechanism

The efficacy of Kadril is derived from the synergistic actions of its two primary components:

  • Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride: This is a first-generation antihistamine. It works by blocking H1 receptors in the body, which helps to reduce allergic responses such as sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. Additionally, it possesses mild antitussive properties, which can help suppress the cough reflex.
  • Ammonium Chloride: This agent functions as an expectorant. It works by irritating the gastric mucosa, which reflexively increases the production of respiratory tract fluid. This process thins the mucus and reduces its viscosity, making it easier for the patient to clear secretions from the airways through coughing.

Therapeutic Intent

Kadril is intended for the temporary relief of coughs and congestion. By combining an antihistamine with an expectorant, the medication addresses both the allergic triggers of respiratory distress and the physical accumulation of mucus in the bronchial tubes.

It is often used in clinical settings to provide symptomatic relief for patients experiencing productive coughs where thick phlegm is present, alongside typical allergic rhinitis symptoms. While it manages the symptoms of respiratory irritation, it does not treat the underlying viral or bacterial cause of an infection.

Regulatory References

  1. WHO Essential Medicines List
  2. ACE inhibitor

What side effects are possible with Kadril?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Kadril (Enalapril maleate) is officially documented by government regulatory bodies and outlines adverse reactions categorized by frequency and affected physiological systems. The most common effects classified as Very Common include dizziness and a persistent cough. Other common reactions involve headache, fatigue, nausea, and various forms of hypotension.

Adverse reactions are grouped into System-Organ Classes, covering effects on the Vascular system, Nervous system, Respiratory system, and Renal system. The official labels highlight the potential for serious adverse reactions, which are medically significant events. The most critical serious reaction documented is Angioedema (swelling of the face, tongue, or throat), alongside severe Hypotension and rare instances of Hepatic Failure or acute Renal Failure.

The regulatory safety profile includes specific constraints and population notes. Hypotension and related effects are explicitly noted as being more common following the initial dose or during dose adjustment. Kadril is contraindicated in pregnancy during the second and third trimesters. Furthermore, the medicine is restricted for use in patients with a history of angioedema related to a prior ACE inhibitor and requires careful safety consideration in populations with existing renal impairment.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

Overdose of Kadril may present with manifestations of severe excessive hypotension due to profound blood pressure reduction. Clinical signs documented in regulatory information can include fainting (syncope), dizziness, lightheadedness, and loss of consciousness. The physiological systems most critically affected are the cardiovascular system, which can lead to life-threatening events such as circulatory shock or cardiovascular collapse, and the renal system, potentially resulting in acute renal failure. Additionally, laboratory findings include elevated hyperkalaemia and increases in serum creatinine.

Population-specific overdose notes: Patients who are volume-depleted (e.g., from prior diuretic therapy, diarrhoea, or vomiting) or who have pre-existing Heart Failure may face an increased risk for more severe hypotensive episodes and resulting complications.

Emergency actions and required support: Seek immediate medical attention upon any suspicion of overdose and call emergency services immediately. No specific antidote is known for Kadril overdose; therefore, management is strictly symptomatic and supportive. Officially required procedures include placing the patient in the supine position and initiating an intravenous infusion of normal saline for volume expansion. The active metabolite, enalaprilat, is dialysable, and hemodialysis may be used as an elimination measure in severe cases.

Therapeutic Uses of Kadril

What Kadril Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Kadril is considered relevant in clinical settings for short-term symptom management. Effective management is essential for various forms of physical discomfort, and Kadril is generally applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed, consistent with principles of managing discomfort.

Types of Symptoms and Conditions

Kadril is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed, relevant for managing symptoms related to physical discomfort or systemic imbalance. Kadril is commonly used across conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms, involving episodic or fluctuating manifestations, or presenting with systemic or localized discomfort. It assists with coping during episodes of heightened discomfort.

Clinical Scenarios and Patient Benefits

Kadril is generally used when symptoms intensify and supportive relief is needed, or when symptoms become momentarily overwhelming. It contributes to supportive relief, helping to maintain a sense of stability when symptoms are more noticeable, and assists with maintaining functional stability. It contributes to easing the overall symptom load across various symptom axes.

Quick Fact: Supports Management of Sudden Symptomatic Discomfort

Regulatory References

  1. MedlinePlus overview of pain types

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Map: Who can and cannot use Kadril — Official Regulatory Information

The eligibility for Kadril (Enalapril maleate) is defined by official government documents based on absolute prohibitions, life stage, and pre-existing medical conditions.

Scope Regulatory Status
Populations for whom use is allowed Adults and children aged 1 month to 16 years for hypertension [Source 2.4, 3.4].
Populations for whom use is not recommended Women in the first trimester of pregnancy; Neonates (infants 1 month of age or less); Breastfeeding mothers of newborns [Source 2.4, 3.1, 3.3].
Populations for whom use is contraindicated Patients with a history of angioedema related to any ACE inhibitor; Women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy; Patients with hereditary or idiopathic angioedema [Source 1.1, 2.5].

Condition and Age Restrictions

Official labeling contraindicates Kadril in patients with diabetes mellitus who are taking aliskiren, and for anyone who has taken a neprilysin inhibitor (e.g., sacubitril/valsartan) within 36 hours [Source 1.1, 1.3].

Use requires caution and monitoring in patients with conditions such as severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance leq 30 mL/min), severe salt/volume depletion, collagen vascular disease, and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction [Source 2.1, 4.2]. The medication is not recommended for children with severe kidney disease (GFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m²) [Source 2.4].

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Kadril (Enalapril maleate) interacts with several medicinal products and substances, as documented by regulatory authorities, primarily through pharmacodynamic effects on blood pressure, renal function, and electrolyte balance.

Contraindicated Combinations

Co-administration is formally contraindicated with Sacubitril/Valsartan due to a high risk of angioedema. A mandatory minimum 36-hour wash-out period is required when switching between Kadril and this combination agent. Use with Aliskiren is also contraindicated in patients with diabetes or moderate-to-severe renal impairment (GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m^2), constituting a dual blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAAS).

Clinically Significant Interactions

Combination with agents that increase serum potassium, such as Potassium-sparing diuretics or Potassium supplements/salt substitutes, may cause hyperkalemia. Concomitant use with Lithium results in the drug's reduced renal clearance, increasing serum concentrations and the risk of toxicity. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce Kadril’s antihypertensive effect and increase the risk of renal function deterioration, especially in elderly or volume-depleted patients. Concurrent use with mTOR Inhibitors (e.g., Sirolimus) increases the risk of angioedema.

Mechanism of Action

Kadril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Its primary biological target is the ACE enzyme, which is localized in the vascular endothelium and the kidney. Kadril acts as a competitive inhibitor by binding to the active site of ACE, preventing the enzymatic conversion of angiotensin I (a relatively inactive decapeptide) into angiotensin II (a potent vasoconstrictor octapeptide).

This molecular interaction results in the downstream cascade of reduced circulating and local tissue levels of angiotensin II. The reduction of angiotensin II modifies cellular signaling by decreasing its agonism at the Angiotensin II type 1 ( AT1) receptors, primarily located on vascular smooth muscle cells and adrenal cortex cells. Reduced AT1 receptor stimulation leads to a decrease in Gq-coupled signaling, which normally mediates inositol trisphosphate ( IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG) production, and subsequent intracellular calcium ( Ca^2+) release.

The overall system-level physiological consequence of ACE inhibition is the modulation of vascular tone, resulting in a decrease in total peripheral resistance and a reduction in aldosterone-mediated sodium and water reabsorption.

Dosage and Administration Information

Official Administration Guidelines for Kadril

Kadril (Enalapril maleate) therapy is structured around official instructions that define its proper use as a chronic treatment. The medicine is primarily administered orally as a tablet or solution, although the active metabolite, enalaprilat, is available for intravenous use in specialized clinical settings. The oral solution requires reconstitution with a specific diluent prior to use.

The procedural structure mandates a low-start, gradual-titration protocol over a period of weeks. For Hypertension, the usual adult initial dose is 5 mg once daily, with the maximum daily dose authorized at 40 mg. For Heart Failure, the initial labeled dose is typically 2.5 mg twice daily, and the dose is gradually adjusted upward based on the patient's response and tolerance.

Dosing and Administration Details Official Instructions
Timing in relation to meals Kadril may be taken with or without food as its absorption is not affected by meals.
Frequency Pattern Typically administered once daily for hypertension or twice daily for heart failure.
Population Adjustments Patients with severe renal impairment (Creatinine Clearance le 30 mL/min) must start with a reduced initial dose of 2.5 mg once daily. Pediatric dosing for hypertension is weight-based.
Missed Dose Rule If a dose is missed, it should be skipped, and the patient should resume the next scheduled dose at the usual time; a double dose must not be taken.

This framework defines the standardized approach to introducing and maintaining the medicine consistently, ensuring adherence to the labeled frequency and dose limits across various patient groups.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of studies for Kadril

Evidence for Use in Managing Chronic High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Kadril was evaluated in research exploring high blood pressure through extensive Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). These studies examined how the medicine affected changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements over defined time intervals. Long-term trials examined the reported incidence of certain cardiovascular events like stroke and heart attack, including a comparative assessment against placebo arms. Reported findings described measured changes in average blood pressure in the studied populations.

Evidence for Use in Symptomatic Heart Failure

Research for this condition primarily involved large-scale survival trials and systematic reviews in adult populations. These studies explored outcomes related to functional imbalance and physiological strain, specifically focusing on endpoints like frequency of hospitalization due to the condition worsening. The studies monitored long-term outcomes tracked in survival trials, and findings described measured rates in the groups receiving the study drug compared to the placebo groups.

Evidence in Specific Patient Populations

Research has explored Kadril's use in distinct populations, including both older adults and pediatric patients (children ages 1 month to 16 years). The pediatric research primarily involved Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies that examined how the medication is processed by the body in this younger population. Studies also monitored populations with comorbid conditions such as diabetes or renal impairment.

Areas Where Research Remains Limited or Uncertain

The research landscape shows high-quality evidence supporting the main indications, yet certainty remains low in specific areas. Research is lacking for long-term, head-to-head trials against all currently available anti-hypertensive drug classes. Data for optimizing dosing in very young children (e.g., under 6 years of age) with high blood pressure remain insufficient.

Key Studies & References

  1. Enalapril Maleate Official FDA Label and Monograph (DailyMed)
  2. Effects of enalapril on mortality and the development of heart failure in asymptomatic patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fractions (SOLVD Prevention Trial)
  3. Effects of enalapril on mortality in severe congestive heart failure. The Consensus Trial Study Group (CONSENSUS Trial)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Kadril (FAQ)

Q: What is Kadril and what is it used for?

Kadril is the brand name for a medicine containing the active ingredient enalapril. It belongs to a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors).

It is primarily used to treat:

  • High blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children.
  • Heart failure (where the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should).
  • To prevent symptomatic heart failure in people who have damage to the left side of the heart but are not yet showing symptoms.

Q: How should I take Kadril?

Kadril is taken by mouth as a tablet. You should take it exactly as your doctor prescribes, which is usually once or twice a day.

  • The tablet can be taken with or without food.
  • Try to take your medicine at the same time each day.
  • Do not stop taking Kadril suddenly, even if you feel well, unless instructed by your doctor.

Q: What are the common side effects of Kadril?

Like all medicines, Kadril can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. Common side effects may include:

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up quickly.
  • Headache.
  • Fatigue or weakness.
  • A persistent, dry cough.
  • Nausea.

If you experience any severe side effects or if common side effects persist, contact your healthcare provider.

Q: Can I drink alcohol while taking Kadril?

Drinking alcohol while taking Kadril can increase the blood pressure-lowering effects of the medicine. This may cause or worsen side effects like dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.

It is generally recommended to limit or avoid alcohol consumption while you are taking Kadril. Always discuss alcohol use with your doctor or pharmacist.

Q: What should I do if I miss a dose of Kadril?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Q: What foods or drugs should I avoid while taking Kadril?

Avoid taking potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium unless specifically instructed by your doctor. Kadril can increase potassium levels in your blood, and adding more potassium can be dangerous.

Also, tell your doctor about all other medicines you take, especially:

  • Diuretics (water pills).
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
  • Lithium.
  • Other blood pressure medicines.

How should Kadril be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Kadril (Enalapril maleate)

Kadril oral tablets must be stored according to official regulatory specifications to maintain the product's stability.

Storage Conditions

Item Requirement
Temperature Store at Controlled Room Temperature, 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F).
Protection Keep the medication tightly closed in the original container, protected from moisture and excessive heat. Do not freeze.
Safety Store Kadril out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal

Unused or expired Kadril must be disposed of according to local guidelines for pharmaceutical waste. Do not discard the tablets by flushing them down a toilet or pouring them into a drain unless specifically instructed to do so.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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