Highlights for captopril Show
Other warnings
Captopril is a prescription drug. It comes as an oral tablet. Captopril is only available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than brand-name versions. Captopril may be taken as part of a combination therapy with other drugs. Why it’s usedCaptopril is used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and heart problems after a heart attack. It is also used to treat kidney disease in people with diabetes. How it worksCaptopril belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions. Captopril works by opening your blood vessels. This allows blood to flow more easily and decreases how hard your heart has to pump. These effects lower your blood pressure levels, improve your heart’s ability to pump blood, and improve blood flow in your kidneys. Captopril oral tablet doesn’t usually cause drowsiness. It may cause low blood pressure. This can make you feel faint or dizzy. Captopril can also cause other side effects. More common side effectsThe more common side effects that can occur with captopril include:
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Serious side effectsCall your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we can not guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history. Captopril oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with captopril are listed below. SacubitrilTaking captopril with sacubitril, which is used with valsartan to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, raises your risk of angioedema (serious swelling). You should not use captopril within 36 hours of using sacubitril. High blood pressure drugsWhen taken with captopril, these drugs may increase your risk of low blood pressure, high blood potassium, and kidney problems. Examples of these drugs include:
Aliskiren is a high blood pressure drug that may increase your risk of low blood pressure levels, high potassium levels, and kidney problems if you take it with captopril. You shouldn’t take it with captopril if you have diabetes or kidney problems. Diuretics (water pills)Taking diuretics with captopril can make your blood pressure too low. When taken with captopril, potassium-sparing diuretics can cause high blood potassium in your body. Examples of these drugs include:
Potassium supplements and potassium-based saltsWhen taken with captopril, potassium supplements and potassium-based salts can cause high blood potassium in your body. Mood stabilizersTaking captopril with certain mood stabilizers can increase the effect of the mood stabilizers. This means that you may have more side effects. Examples of these drugs include:
Pain drugsTaking captopril with certain pain medications can decrease your kidney function. Examples of these drugs include:
Drugs to prevent organ transplant rejectionTaking these drugs with captopril raises your risk of angioedema (swelling), a severe allergic reaction. Examples of these drugs include:
GoldUsing injectable gold (sodium aurothiomalate) with captopril may increase your risk of a nitritoid reaction. Symptoms of this condition can include flushing (warming and reddening of your face and cheeks), nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. This drug comes with several warnings. Allergy warningCaptopril can cause a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms include:
If you develop these symptoms, stop taking this drug and call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death). Warnings for people with kidney diseaseThis drug is processed by your kidneys. If your kidneys don’t work as well as they should, this drug may build up in your body. This means that you may have more side effects. Your doctor may adjust your dosage of captopril. Warnings for other groupsFor pregnant women: Captopril is a category D pregnancy drug. That means two things:
Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Ask your doctor to tell you about the specific harm that may be done to your pregnancy. This drug should be only used if the potential risk is acceptable given the drug’s potential benefit. If you become pregnant while taking this drug, call your doctor right away. For women who are breastfeeding: Captopril may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication. For seniors: Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A typical adult dosage may cause levels of this drug to be higher than normal in your body. If you’re a senior, you may need a lower dosage or a different dosing schedule. For children: This medication hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in children younger than 18 years. All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:
Drug forms and strengthsGeneric: Captopril
Dosage for high blood pressureAdult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)
Child dosage (ages 0 to 17 years) This medication hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in children younger than 18 years. Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older) There are no specific recommendations for senior dosing. Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A typical adult dosage may cause levels of this drug to be higher than normal in your body. If you’re a senior, you may need a lower dosage or a different dosing schedule. Dosage for heart failureAdult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)
Child dosage (ages 0 to 17 years) This medication hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in children younger than 18 years. Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older) There are no specific recommendations for senior dosing. Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A typical adult dosage may cause levels of this drug to be higher than normal in your body. If you’re a senior, you may need a lower dosage or a different dosing schedule. Dosage for left ventricular dysfunction after a heart attackAdult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)
Child dosage (ages 0 to 17 years) This medication hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in children younger than 18 years. Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older) There are no specific recommendations for senior dosing. Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A typical adult dosage may cause levels of this drug to be higher than normal in your body. If you’re a senior, you may need a lower dosage or a different dosing schedule. Dosage for diabetic nephropathyAdult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years) Typical dosage: 25 mg taken 3 times per day. Child dosage (ages 0 to 17 years) This medication hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in children younger than 18 years. Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older) There are no specific recommendations for senior dosing. Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A typical adult dosage may cause levels of this drug to be higher than normal in your body. If you’re a senior, you may need a lower dosage or a different dosing schedule. Special dosage considerationsFor people with kidney problems: Captopril is cleared from your body by your kidneys. If you have kidney problems, your doctor should start you on a lower dose or a different schedule. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we can not guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Captopril oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed. If you don’t take it at all: Your high blood pressure and heart problems will get worse. This will increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. If you stop taking it suddenly: You shouldn’t stop taking captopril without talking to your doctor. Stopping the drug suddenly can cause your blood pressure to get higher. This may increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. If you don’t take it on schedule: Your blood pressure and other heart problems may not improve and may get worse. You may have a higher risk of a heart attack or stroke. What to do if you miss a dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s just a few hours until the time for your next dose, then wait and only take one dose at that time. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could cause serious side effects. If you take too much: If you take too much captopril, you’ll have a significant drop in blood pressure. If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. How to tell this drug is working: You will know that captopril is working when you check your blood pressure at home. If your blood pressure is at or below the goal your doctor set for you, the drug is working. Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes captopril for you. General
Storage
RefillsA prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. TravelWhen traveling with your medication:
Self-managementYou may need to check your blood pressure at home. You should keep a log with the date, time of day, and your blood pressure readings. Bring this diary with you to your doctor appointments. Also, you may need to buy your own blood pressure monitoring machine. Clinical monitoringBefore starting and during treatment with captopril, your doctor may check the following to make sure the drug is safe for you:
Hidden costsYou may need to buy your own blood pressure monitoring machine. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained here in is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. What diseases does captopril treat?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.
What is the first line treatment for hypertension?There are three main classes of medication that are usually in the first line of treatment for hypertension: 1. Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB) 2. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors or ACE-I) and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) 3. Diuretics.
When should I start taking captopril?- short-term treatment: Captopril treatment should begin in hospital as soon as possible following the appearance of the signs and/or symptoms in patients with stable haemodynamics. A 6.25 mg test dose should be administered, with a 12.5 mg dose being administered 2 hours afterwards and a 25 mg dose 12 hours later.
What are the indications for captopril?Captopril is an FDA-approved medication used in the management of hypertension, left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction, and diabetic nephropathy. Off-label indications include acute hypertensive crisis and Raynaud phenomenon.
|