captopril

KAP-toe-pril

Oral route(Tablet)

When pregnancy is detected, discontinue captopril as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus .

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Capoten

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet


• Liquid

Therapeutic Class: Antihypertensive

Pharmacologic Class: ACE Inhibitor

Uses For captopril

Captopril is used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. Hypertension may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled .

Captopril works by blocking an enzyme in the body that is necessary to produce a substance that causes blood vessels to tighten. As a result, the blood vessels relax. This lowers blood pressure and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart .

Captopril is also used in some patients after a heart attack. After a heart attack, some of the heart muscle is damaged and weakened. The heart muscle may continue to weaken as time goes by. This makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood. Captopril may be started within the first few days after a heart attack to increase survival rate .

In addition, captopril is used to treat congestive heart failure or may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor .

captopril is available only with your doctor's prescription .

Before Using captopril

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For captopril, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to captopril or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of captopril in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of captopril in geriatric patients. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require an adjustment of dose in patients receiving captopril .

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	D	Studies in pregnant women have demonstrated a risk to the fetus. However, the benefits of therapy in a life threatening situation or a serious disease, may outweigh the potential risk.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking captopril, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using captopril with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Allopurinol


• Alteplase, Recombinant


• Amiloride


• Azathioprine


• Canrenoate


• Eplerenone


• Interferon Alfa-2a


• Potassium


• Spironolactone


• Triamterene

Using captopril with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Aceclofenac


• Acemetacin


• Alclofenac


• Aliskiren


• Apazone


• Aspirin


• Azosemide


• Bemetizide


• Bendroflumethiazide


• Benoxaprofen


• Benzthiazide


• Bromfenac


• Bufexamac


• Bumetanide


• Bupivacaine


• Buthiazide


• Capsaicin


• Carprofen


• Chlorothiazide


• Chlorpromazine


• Chlorthalidone


• Clometacin


• Clonixin


• Clopamide


• Cyclopenthiazide


• Cyclothiazide


• Dexketoprofen


• Diclofenac


• Diflunisal


• Dipyrone


• Droxicam


• Ethacrynic Acid


• Etodolac


• Etofenamate


• Felbinac


• Fenbufen


• Fenoprofen


• Fentiazac


• Floctafenine


• Flufenamic Acid


• Flurbiprofen


• Furosemide


• Gold Sodium Thiomalate


• Hydrochlorothiazide


• Hydroflumethiazide


• Ibuprofen


• Icatibant


• Indapamide


• Indomethacin


• Indoprofen


• Isoxicam


• Ketoprofen


• Ketorolac


• Lornoxicam


• Meclofenamate


• Mefenamic Acid


• Meloxicam


• Methyclothiazide


• Metolazone


• Nabumetone


• Naproxen


• Nesiritide


• Niflumic Acid


• Nimesulide


• Oxaprozin


• Oxyphenbutazone


• Phenylbutazone


• Pirazolac


• Piretanide


• Piroxicam


• Pirprofen


• Polythiazide


• Propyphenazone


• Proquazone


• Quinethazone


• Sulindac


• Suprofen


• Tenidap


• Tenoxicam


• Tiaprofenic Acid


• Tolmetin


• Torsemide


• Trichlormethiazide


• Xipamide


• Zomepirac

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of captopril. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Angioedema, history of—Captopril may increase the risk of this condition occurring again .

• Dehydration or


• Diarrhea or


• Heart failure or


• Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) or


• Kidney disease—These conditions may cause the blood pressure to fall too low with captopril .

Proper Use of captopril

In addition to the use of captopril, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and changes in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium. Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet.

Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.

Remember that captopril will not cure your high blood pressure but it does help control it. Therefore, you must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.

It is best to take captopril on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before eating any food .

Dosing

The dose of captopril will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of captopril. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  
  • For high blood pressure:
    
    • Adults—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) two times per day or three times per day, as directed by your doctor. Then, your doctor may increase your dose to 50 mg, taken two or three times per day.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    
    
  
  
  • For heart failure:
    
    • Adults—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) three times per day. Then, your doctor may increase your dose up to a maximum of 450 mg per day divided into three doses.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    
    
  
  
  • For treatment after a heart attack:
    
    • Adults—At first, 6.25 milligrams (mg) as a single dose, then 12.5 mg three times per day. Then, your doctor may slowly increase your dose to 50 mg three times per day.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of captopril, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions While Using captopril

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure captopril is working properly and to check for unwanted effects. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects .

Using captopril while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using captopril, tell your doctor right away .

Stop using captopril and call your doctor right away if you have swelling of the face, arms, legs, eyes, lips, or tongue, problems with swallowing or breathing, or hoarseness. These are symptoms of a condition called angioedema .

Tell your doctor immediately if you have any signs of infection such as chills, sore throat, or fever. These may be symptoms of an immune system condition called neutropenia .

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor .

You may experience lightheadedness during the first few days with captopril. If this becomes severe and you faint, stop using captopril and talk to your doctor right away .

Check with your doctor right away if you have symptoms of jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) because these may be signs of a serious liver condition .

captopril may increase the amount of potassium in your blood. Do not use salt substitutes containing potassium without first checking with your doctor .

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using captopril. You may need to stop using captopril several days before having surgery or medical tests .

captopril Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Chest pain


• cloudy urine


• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

Rare

• Arm, back or jaw pain


• bloody urine


• chest discomfort


• chest tightness or heaviness


• decreased blood pressure


• decreased frequency or amount of urine


• dilated neck veins


• extreme fatigue


• increased need to urinate


• increased thirst


• irregular breathing


• large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs


• loss of appetite


• low blood pressure


• lower back or side pain


• nausea


• pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back or neck


• paleness or cold feeling in fingertips and toes


• passing urine more often than usual


• problems in urination or increase in amount of urine


• shortness of breath


• sweating


• swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs


• tingling or pain in fingers or toes when exposed to cold


• troubled breathing


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• vomiting


• weight gain


• wheezing

Incidence not known

• Bleeding gums


• bloody, black, or tarry stools


• blurred vision


• chills


• confusion


• cough


• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly


• high fever


• painful or difficult urination


• pale skin


• pinpoint red spots on skin


• sore throat


• sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth


• swollen glands


• troubled breathing with exertion


• unusual bleeding or bruising

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Change in taste


• feeling of warmth


• itching skin


• loss of taste


• rash


• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: captopril side effects (in more detail)

The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.

More captopril resources

• Captopril Side Effects (in more detail)
• Captopril Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Captopril Drug Interactions
• Captopril Support Group
• 3 Reviews for Captopril - Add your own review/rating

• Captopril Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Captopril Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Captopril MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Capoten Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Capoten Consumer Overview

Compare captopril with other medications

• Cystinuria
• Diabetic Kidney Disease
• Heart Failure
• High Blood Pressure
• Hypertensive Emergency
• Left Ventricular Dysfunction