What is Captopril?
Captopril is a medication used by adults on its own or in conjunction with other medicines in order to manage hypertension (hypertension) as well as congestive heart failure.
Captopril can also be utilized to increase survival and decrease the chance of suffering from heart failure following an attack on the heart in those who suffer from a heart disease known as left-ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement of the walls of the left side of the heart). Captopril can also be used to fight kidney problems (nephropathy) due to diabetes in people suffering from type 1 diabetes as well as retinopathy (eye disease).
Captopril belongs to a class of medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It lowers certain chemicals that tighten blood vessels, which means that blood flow is more fluid and the heart is able to pump blood more efficiently.
Warnings
Don't use captopril while you are expecting. Stop taking captopril and inform your doctor immediately if you are pregnant. If you are diabetic, don't take captopril in conjunction with any other medication that includes an aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, or Tekamlo). Discuss with your doctor any other medications you are taking. Certain medications should not be taken with captopril.
Before you take this drug
You shouldn't take this medication if you are sensitive to captopril or another ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor like fosinopril, benazepril, moexipril, or lisinopril. quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril. If you suffer from diabetes, don't take captopril along with any other medicine that includes an ingredient called aliskiren (a blood pressure medication). Do not take captopril for the first 36 hours after taking a medicine containing sacubitril (such as Entresto).
To ensure that captopril is appropriate for you, tell your doctor if you have previously had:
- Heart failure,
- An allergic reaction that is severe, such as angioedema;
- Stomach discomfort;
- Low blood pressure;
- Low white blood cell count;
- Connective tissue diseases like Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis;
- If you're on an e-diet that is low in salt,
- To consume drugs that can weaken the immune system, such as chemotherapy medication, steroids, and other medicines that help prevent organ donation rejection;
- Diabetes;
- Liver disease liver disease
- Kidney disease (or those who are dialysis-dependent).
You might also have to stay clear of taking captopril when you take an aliskiren in the event of kidney problems. Stop using this medication and inform your physician immediately if you are pregnant. Captopril can cause injuries or even death to an unborn baby if you take the drug in the third or second trimester. Do not breastfeed.
How do I take captopril?
Use captopril as directed by your physician. Follow the instructions on the prescription label and go through all medication guides and instructions. The doctor might modify your dosage. Eat on an empty stomach at least one hour prior to eating.
Contact your physician if you have persistent nausea, diarrhea, or sweat more than you normally do. It is possible to become dehydrated when taking captopril. This can result in lower blood pressure, electrolyte imbalance, or kidney failure. Your blood pressure is likely to be monitored regularly, and you could require regular blood tests.
Captopril can cause false results in a urine test. Inform the lab staff that you are using captopril. Speak to your doctor if you are planning a procedure. If you suffer from hypertension, you should continue taking this medication even if you are feeling well. High blood pressure can have no signs. Keep tightly sealed in a cool, dry place far from heat and moisture.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Initial dose: 25 mg taken orally 2-3 times a day, one hour prior to meals.
Maintenance dose: may increase every one to two weeks, up to 50 mg, orally three times per day. If blood pressure does not control within 1 to 2 weeks of this dose, take a thiazide diuretic (a loop diuretic in the event that severe kidney impairment is present) and adjust to its maximum usual dose of antihypertensive prior to any further increases in captopril.
Maximum dose: 450 mg/day
Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure:
Initial dosage: 25 mg orally three times per day (6.25 or 12.5 mg orally three times per day in cases of hypotension, hyponatremic, or hypovolemic).
The recommended maintenance dose is 50 mg taken orally 3 times per day for at least 2 weeks to guarantee a positive response.
Maximum dose: 450 mg/day
Comments:
Most patients show an improvement in their clinical condition at either 50 or 100 mg three times per day.
Should be generally used in conjunction with diuretics and digitalis.
Usual Adult Dose for Left Ventricular Dysfunction:
Initial dosage: 6.25 mg orally once at least three days after myocardial infarction. then 12.5 mg orally three times per day. Then increase to 25 mg taken orally three times per day for the following days, and gradually increase to the recommended dose over the course of a few weeks, as tolerated.
The recommended dose for maintenance is 50 mg taken orally three times per day.
Use: To increase the chance of survival after myocardial ischemia in patients who are clinically stable with left ventricular dysfunction manifested as an ejection percentage that is less than 40% and to decrease the risk of heart failure that is not obvious and hospitalizations due to the condition known as congestive heart failure in those patients.
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetic Nephropathy:
25 mg orally, three times per day.
Note: Additional medications for hypertension can be combined with this medication if further blood pressure reduction is required.
Use: Treatment for diabetic kidney disease (proteinuria greater than 500 mg/day) in patients suffering from type I diabetes mellitus that is insulin-dependent and the condition known as retinopathy.
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertensive Emergency:
25 mg taken orally every 2 to 3 times a day; continue diuretic treatment and stop all other antihypertensives at the time of starting this drug. could increase the dose at intervals of one to two hours or until satisfactory blood pressure is achieved or the dosage is reached.
What happens If I miss a dose?
Do not take the medicine for as long as you are able, but do not take your missed dose if you are close to the time of the next dose. Don't take two doses at once.
What happens If I overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should be avoided?
Be careful not to get up too fast from a lying or sitting position, as you could be dizzy. Don't supplement your potassium intake with potassium or salt substitutes unless your doctor has instructed you to. Avoid becoming too hot or dehydrated during workouts, in hot weather, or by drinking insufficient fluids. Follow your doctor's advice on the types and amounts of fluids you need to consume. In some instances, drinking too much liquid could be as harmful as drinking too little. Do not exercise vigorously if you have been treated for heart disease. Consult your physician about the risks.
Side effects of Captopril
Contact a medical professional immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction due to capstopril, such as severe stomach pain, hives, breathing difficulties, or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue,
Captopril may cause serious side effects. Contact your doctor immediately in the event of:
- Chest pain, rapid or slow heart rate;
- An euphoric feeling, similar to passing out;
- Heart-related problems swelling, rapidly gaining weight, and feeling tired;
- Kidney issues: the swelling of your kidney, less frequent urination, being tired, or feeling tired;
- Indications of symptoms of infection: fever symptoms of infection: chills, sore throat, body aches, strange fatigue, loss of appetite, bleeding, or bruising
- Hypertension of potassium levels in the blood—nausea and weak feeling, tingling sensation in the chest, irregular heartbeat, decreased movement;
- Lower blood sodium, low blood sodium headache or confusion, issues with memory or thinking weakness, unsteadiness or
- Low white blood cells The symptoms include fever, mouth sores and skin sores, throat sores, and cough.
Common side effects of captopril include:
- Cough;
- Low blood pressure
- Flushing (sudden heat, redness, or a tingly sensation);
- Low blood cell count;
- Diminished sense of taste or
- Minor skin itching or rash.
This isn't a complete list of all the side effects. Others could happen. Contact your doctor for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report any symptoms to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drugs
Captopril may cause kidney damage, particularly in conjunction with other treatments for cancer, infections, and osteoporosis.
Inform your doctor about all other medications, particularly:
- Diuretic, also known as a "water pill," that may boost blood potassium, for instance, spironolactone, triamterene, or amiloride;
- The NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications) aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), as well as celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and many other NSAIDs;
- Medication to avoid rejection of organ transplants, such as temsirolimus, sirolimus, temsirolimus, as well as everolimus or
- Heart or blood pressure medications
This list isn't exhaustive. Other drugs can be incompatible with captopril, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. There are many possible interactions between drugs. are included here.
