Capoten

C

Generic Name: captopril (KAP toe pril)
Brand Names: Capoten

What is captopril?

Captopril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme.

Captopril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), congestive heart failure, kidney problems caused by diabetes, and to improve survival after a heart attack.

Captopril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about captopril? Do not use captopril if you are pregnant. Captopril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of captopril. Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking captopril, unless your doctor has told you to.

Conditions that may cause very low blood pressure include: vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low salt diet, or taking diuretics (water pills). Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while taking captopril. Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking captopril? You should not use this medication if you are allergic to captopril or to any other ACE inhibitor, such as benazepril (Lotensin), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).

To make sure you can safely take captopril, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

liver disease;

heart disease or congestive heart failure;

diabetes; or

a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use captopril if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Captopril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking captopril. Captopril can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using captopril. How should I take captopril?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Captopril is usually taken 1 hour before meals. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Conditions that may cause very low blood pressure include: vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low salt diet, or taking diuretics (water pills). Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while taking captopril. Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using captopril. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

See also: Capoten dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose? Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include feeling extremely dizzy or light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking captopril? Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of captopril. Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking captopril, unless your doctor has told you to. Captopril side effects Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

feeling light-headed, fainting;

urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;

easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;

chest pain; or

swelling, rapid weight gain.

Less serious side effects may include:

cough;

loss of taste sensation, loss of appetite;

dizziness, drowsiness, headache;

sleep problems (insomnia);

dry mouth, sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

nausea, diarrhea, constipation; 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.

What other drugs will affect captopril?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

gold injections to treat arthritis;

lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);

a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con;

salt substitutes that contain potassium;

drugs that can dilate blood vessels, such as alprostadil (Caverject, Edex), nitroglycerin (Nitro Dur, Nitrolingual, Nitrostat, Transderm Nitro, and others), nitroprusside (Nitropress), nesiritide (Natrecor), minoxidil (Loniten), or isosorbide dinitrate (Imdur, Isordil);

aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others; or

a diuretic (water pill).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with captopril. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Capoten resources Capoten Side Effects (in more detail)Capoten DosageCapoten Use in Pregnancy & BreastfeedingDrug ImagesCapoten Drug InteractionsCapoten Support Group0 Reviews for Capoten - Add your own review/rating Capoten Prescribing Information (FDA) Capoten Monograph (AHFS DI) Capoten Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information Capoten Consumer Overview Capoten MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer) Captopril Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer) Compare Capoten with other medications CystinuriaDiabetic Kidney DiseaseHeart FailureHigh Blood PressureHypertensive EmergencyLeft Ventricular Dysfunction Where can I get more information? Your pharmacist can provide more information about captopril.

See also: Capoten side effects (in more detail)

Capoten

.