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Captopril is used in adults alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and congestive heart failure .
Captopril is also used to improve survival and reduce the risk of heart failure after a heart attack in patients with a heart condition called left ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement of the walls of the left side of the heart). Captopril is also used to treat kidney disease (nephropathy) caused by diabetes in patients with type 1 diabetes and retinopathy (eye disease).
Captopril belongs to a class of medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It decreases certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels, so blood flows more smoothly and the heart can pump blood more efficiently.
Indications
Captopril is used in adults alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and congestive heart failure .
Captopril is also used to improve survival and reduce the risk of heart failure after a heart attack in patients with a heart condition called left ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement of the walls of the left side of the heart). Captopril is also used to treat kidney disease (nephropathy) caused by diabetes in patients with type 1 diabetes and retinopathy (eye disease).
Captopril belongs to a class of medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It decreases certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels, so blood flows more smoothly and the heart can pump blood more efficiently.
Contraindications
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to captopril or to any other ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor such as benazepril , fosinopril , enalapril , lisinopril , moexipril , perindopril , quinapril , ramipril , or trandolapril .
If you have diabetes, do not take captopril with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).
Do not take captopril within 36 hours before or after taking medicine that contains sacubitril (such as Entresto ).
To make sure captopril is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
heart failure, heart problems; severe allergic reaction such as angioedema ; stomach pain; low blood pressure ; low white blood cell counts; a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome , Sjogren's syndrome , lupus , scleroderma , or rheumatoid arthritis ; if you are on a low-salt diet; to take medicines that weaken the immune system such as cancer medicine, steroids, and medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection; diabetes; liver disease; or kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).
You may also need to avoid taking captopril with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Captopril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you use the medicine during your second or third trimester.
Do not breastfeed.
Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to captopril: severe stomach pain, hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Captopril may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:
chest pain, fast, slow, or uneven heart rate; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; heart problems - swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath; kidney problems - swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath; signs of infection - fever , chills, sore throat , body aches, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, bruising or bleeding; high blood potassium - nausea , weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement; low blood sodium - headache , confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, feeling unsteady; or low white blood cell counts - fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough .
Common captopril side effects may include:
cough; low blood pressure; flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling); low blood cell counts; decreased sense of taste; or mild skin itching or rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Do not use captopril if you are pregnant. Stop using captopril and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
If you have diabetes, do not use captopril together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo).
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs should not be used with captopril.
High Risk Groups
Do not use captopril if you are pregnant. Stop using captopril and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
If you have diabetes, do not use captopril together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo).
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs should not be used with captopril.
Adult Dosage
12.5 to 50 mg (31 (31.25)) 12 hourly PO —
Scraped Dose — Take captopril exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
Take on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before a meal.
Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea , or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking captopril. This can lead to very low blood pressure, an electrolyte imbalance, or kidney failure .
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often, and you may need frequent blood tests.
captopril may cause false results on a urine test. Tell the laboratory staff that you use captopril.
Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery .
If you have high blood pressure, keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
Child Dosage
0.5 to 2 mg/kg (1.2 (1.25)) 8 hourly Oral — Gradually increase the Dose
Neonatal Dosage
0.5 to 2 mg/kg (1.2 (1.25)) 8 hourly Oral — Gradually increase the Dose
Drug Interactions
Captopril can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, or osteoporosis .
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
a diuretic or "water pill" that may increase blood potassium such as spironolactone , triamterene , amiloride ; NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - aspirin , ibuprofen ( Advil , Motrin ), naproxen ( Aleve ), celecoxib , diclofenac , indomethacin , meloxicam , and others; medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection such as temsirolimus , sirolimus , or everolimus ; or heart or blood pressure medication.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with captopril, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins , and herbal products . Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Storage
Tab Store in a well closed container, at room temperature, Below 30°C. Protect from Sunlight and Moisture.