Captopril

Description

Captopril is a medicine used in the treatment of high blood pressure, heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction (a condition characterized by dilation of the left ventricle of the heart) and heart attack. It reduces the chances of having a heart attack and stroke. It is also used to treat diabetic nephropathy (a serious kidney-related complication of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes) and retinopathy (a diabetes complication that affects your eyes) in people having type 1 diabetes. Captopril shows common side effects like cough, flushing (warmth, redness of face), rash, loss of taste and numbness/pain in the hands or feet. Captopril is taken 1 hour before meals with plenty of water. Inform your doctor if you have diabetes, heart, kidney disease before taking Captopril Captopril is not recommended for use if you are pregnant as it can cause injury or death to the unborn baby, especially during your second or third trimester. Captopril can pass into breast milk, so avoid breastfeeding while using Captopril as it can harm your baby. Captopril should not be discontinued unless your doctor advises you to, even if you feel better.. Avoid driving or any activity that requires your concentration or until you know how Captopril affects you. Follow a strict exercise and diet regimen along with Captopril to get the best possible effect.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Captopril

  • Increased potassium levels
  • Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
  • Skin rash
  • Low blood pressure
  • Cough
  • Chest pain
  • Increased heart beat
  • Loss of taste sensation
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chills and fever
  • Stomach pain
  • Blurred vision
  • Decreased urine output

Uses of Captopril

What is it prescribed for?

  • Hypertension
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Left ventricular dysfunction
  • Diabetic nephropathy
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The amount of time required for Captopril to show its action is 60-90 minutes.
  • Duration of effect
    The amount of time for which Captopril remains active in the body is around 12 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendency has been reported for Captopril.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Captopril is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Captopril is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.

Allergy

Avoid using Captopril if you are allergic to it. Seek medical attention if you notice allergic reactions such as skin rash, hives, swelling ( on face, lips, tongue, etc.), breathing difficulty, etc.

Anuria

Captopril is not recommended for use in anuria condition where your kidneys are unable to produce urine, as this medicine worsen such a condition.

Angioedema

Captopril is not recommended for use if you have a known history of hereditary angioedema or angioedema induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors ( a class of medicines used to reduce high blood pressure).
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Captopril is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.

Breast-feeding

Captopril is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
General warnings

Aliskiren

Captopril is not recommended for use in combination with aliskiren (a medicine used in the treatment of high blood pressure) due to the increased risk of serious side effects. This risk is especially higher in people with diabetes. Your doctor may prescribe a suitable alternative with the same therapeutic effect based on your condition.

Hypotension

Captopril may cause hypotension, especially when used in combination with other medicines used to lower blood pressure. Your blood pressure should be monitored regularly during treatment. Your doctor will make appropriate changes to your doses based on your condition.

Hyperkalaemia

Captopril may significantly increase the potassium levels in the blood. This may cause serious unwanted effects. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on your clinical condition.

Proteinuria

Captopril may decrease the elimination of proteins through urine (proteinuria). This may damage your kidneys. Your kidney functions need to be closely monitored during treatment with this medicine. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on your clinical condition.

Use in children

Captopril is prescribed to children in lower doses, only when other alternative medicines are ineffective in treating heart conditions.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take a dose of Captopril, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.

Overdose

Never take Captopril more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you might have taken an overdose of this medicine, seek immediate medical help.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Allopurinol

Aliskiren

Insulin

Diclofenac

Candesartan

Sacubitril/Valsartan

Disease interactions

Bone marrow suppression

Captopril should be used with caution in bone marrow suppression due to the increased risk of worsening your condition. The complete blood count should be closely monitored. Your doctor may replace this medicine with a suitable alternative based on your clinical condition.

Liver disease

Captopril should be used with caution if you have liver problems due to the increased risk of serious side effects. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or replace this medicine with a suitable alternative based on your clinical condition.

Kidney diseases

Captopril should be used with caution if you have kidney problems due to the increased risk of worsening your condition. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or replace this medicine with a suitable alternative based on your clinical condition.
Food interactions
It is recommended to avoid a high potassium diet during treatment with Captopril due to the increased risk of serious side effects. Your doctor/dietitian will suggest an appropriate diet for you to avoid a high intake of potassium.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Captopril 1hour before a meal. Do not take in larger amounts than prescribed. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Do not stop the use of Captopril without consulting your doctor. Captopril can cause dizziness when you rise suddenly, so rise slowly from sitting or lying positions. You can also take Captopril at bedtime to avoid vertigo throughout the day. Inform your doctor about any long-lasting throat irritation or cough. Captopril increases the potassium levels in the blood, so it is advised to avoid taking potassium supplements or potassium-rich foods. Keep Captopril away from the reach of children and pets. Ensure that unused medicine is disposed of properly.
Miscelleneous

To be taken before food

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
Captopril works by relaxing the blood vessels which allows free blood flow and decreases blood pressure.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors

Schedule

Schedule H

Drugs, H., 2021. Captopril: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 5 August 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682823.html>

(DailyMed - CAPTOPRIL tabletCAPTOPRIL- captorpil tablet, 2021) Your Bibliography: Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - CAPTOPRIL tabletCAPTOPRIL- captorpil tablet. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 5 August 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=01cca91e-0374-4b89-a25a-be05e8b64346>

Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Captopril. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 5 August 2021].

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501247/>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Captopril 25 mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 August 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6119#gref>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Captopril 12.5 mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 August 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6128>

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Information on this page was last updated on 9 Oct 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.