Captopril: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What medicine is Captopril?

What is Captopril for?

Captopril is a medicine to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Captropril belongs to a group of heart drugs called ACE inhibitors.

This drug works by inhibiting the angiotensin converting enzyme which then decreases the amount of angiotensin II (a hormone that constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure)

Apart from treating hypertension, captopril also helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, diabetic nephropathy, and kidney problems. How to use, captopril dosage and captopril side effects will be explained further below.

Captopril dosage

What are the rules for taking Captopril?

Some of the rules that you must understand when taking captopril drugs are:

• Take captopril on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before meals) as directed by your doctor, usually two or three times a day. The dosage is based on your health condition and response to treatment.
• Use this remedy regularly for best results. To help you remember drinking at the same time every day. It is very important to continue using this drug even if you feel better.
• For the treatment of heart failure, it may take several weeks to several months before you can feel the benefits of this drug.

Contact your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.

How do I store Captopril?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Captopril side effects

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of Captopril for adults?

For high blood pressure or hypertension, the dosage for using the drug captopril is as follows:

Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. Blood pressure itself is the force of blood flow from the heart pushing against the walls of blood vessels (arteries).

The strength of this blood pressure can change over time, influenced by what activity the heart is doing (for example, exercising or at rest) and the resistance of the blood vessels.

High blood pressure is a condition in which blood pressure higher than 140/90 millimeter of mercury (mmHG). The number 140 mmHG refers to a systolic reading, when the heart pumps blood around the body.

Meanwhile, the number 90 mmHG refers to a diastolic reading, when the heart is relaxed while refilling its chambers with blood. The following dosage is used:

• Initial dose: captopril 25 mg orally, 2-3 times a day one hour before meals.
• Follow-up dose: captopril 25-150 mg orally, 2-3 times a day one hour before meals.

For heart failure, the dosage for using the drug captopril is:

Heart failure is a term used to describe a heart condition that is not functioning properly and is unable to pump blood around the body efficiently.

In people with heart failure, blood moves around the body through the heart more slowly. Due to an insufficient amount of blood, the chambers of the heart respond by stretching to hold more blood or by stiffening and thickening.

This condition can help to keep the blood moving, but the heart muscle will eventually weaken and can't work effectively.

As a result, it triggers the kidneys to retain more fluid and salt. Eventually, fluids build up in the body parts and cause blockages. Heart failure is a different condition from a heart attack and a weak heart.

• Initial dose: captopril 25 mg orally 3 times a day (6.25-12.5 mg orally, 3 times a day if the volume is reduced or hypotensive).
• Follow-up dose: after the three times daily dose of captopril 50 mg is reached, additional follow-up doses should be delayed by at least 2 weeks to see if a satisfactory response occurs. Many of the patients studied progressed at 50-100 mg three times a day. Captopril should generally be used in conjunction with diuretics and digitalis.

For left ventricular damage, the dosage for using captopril is:

When the left side of the heart doesn't pump blood out, blood builds up in the heart or blocks organs or tissues, causing blood to build up in the circulatory system.

If the left heart fails, the right heart system will be congested due to the accumulated blood. Inside, the heart is blocked from excess contractions that push up blood and can lead to heart failure.

However, if the right side of the heart fails, the left heart is affected and it can also cause heart failure. The following dosage is used:

• Initial dose: 6.25 mg orally for 1 dose, then 12.5 orally 3 times a day.
• Increase in dose: the dose is increased to 25 mg orally 3 times a day over the next several days.
• Follow-up dose: the dose is increased to a target dose of captopril 50 mg orally 3 times a day for up to several weeks thereafter to the patient's tolerance.

Therapy may be started 3 days after myocardial infarction (damage to the myocardium of the heart). Captropil can also be used in patients in other postmyocardial infarction medications such as thrombolytics, aspirin, beta blockers.

For diabetic nephropathy, the dosage for captropil is:

Diabetic nephropathy is a type of progressive kidney disease that occurs in people who have diabetes. Experts estimate that 20-40 percent of people with diabetes will experience diabetic nephropathy at some point in their life.

Diabetic nephropathy progresses slowly. The median time taken to progress from early stage to end-stage renal failure to kidney disease was 23 years. However, not everyone progresses to stage five of the disease. The following dosages are used:

• The recommended long-term dose is 25 mg orally three times a day.

For emergency hypertension, the dosage for using the drug captopril is:

• When indicated that a sudden increase in blood pressure is indicated, continue diuretic therapy and discontinue any current drug therapy, and give captopril 25 mg 2-3 times a day under close observation.
• Increase the dose every 24 hours or less until a satisfactory response is achieved or the maximum dose has been reached.

For kidney stones, the dosage for using the drug captopril is:

Kidney stones are conditions that occur due to hard deposits formed from amino acids in the urine. The process is called nephrolithiasis.

Kidney stones or urinary stones are usually very small or can reach about a few inches. Larger sizes of stones that fill the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder are called staghorn stones. The following is the dosage for the use of the drug:

• Initial dose: Captopril 25 mg orally two to 3 times a day one hour before meals. The initial dose will probably be titrated as the patient tolerates about every 1-2 weeks to reduce the level of cystinuria.

What is the dose of Captopril for children?

The safety and effectiveness of captopril have not been established in pediatric patients (under 18 years of age).

In what dosage is Captopril available?

Captopril dosage is:

• Tablet, oral: 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg.

Captopril Drug Warnings and Cautions

What side effects can be experienced due to Captopril?

Side effects that may occur from using captopril are:

• Cough
• Loss of taste, loss of appetite
• Dizziness, drowsiness, headache
• Sleep disturbance (insomnia)

The more serious side effects of captopril are listed below. See a doctor immediately if you experience the following side effects:

• Lightheadedness, fainting
• You urinate more or less, or not at all
• Fever, chills, pain, flu symptoms
• Pale skin, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, difficulty concentrating
• Easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red spots under the skin
• Fast or unstable heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Swelling, rapid weight gain

Not everyone experiences the above side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Captopril Drug Interactions

What should be known before using Captopril?

Do not use this medication if you have an allergy to Captopril. Before using Captopril, tell your doctor if you have any allergies to any drugs, or if you have:

• Kidney illness
• Hearing difficulties

If you have these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to use Captopril safely.

Is Captopril safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using captopril in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This medication is in the risk of pregnancy category D (there is evidence of risk) according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Captopril overdose

What medicines may interact with Captopril?

Although certain drugs are not recommended to be used together, in other cases two different drugs can be used together even though drug interactions may occur. In these cases, your doctor may change the dose, or other precautions need to be taken. Tell your health care provider if you are using other prescription or nonprescription drugs.

Use of this drug with the drugs listed below is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to continue treatment with this drug or change other drugs that you are taking.

• Aliskiren
• Colchicine

Use of this drug with the drugs listed below is generally not recommended, but may be needed in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often one or the other drug is used.

• Afatinib
• Allopurinol
• Alteplase, Recombinant
• Amiloride
• Azathioprine
• Azilsartan
• Bosutinib
• Candesartan Cilexetil
• Canrenoate
• Dabigatran Etexilate
• Doxorubicin
• Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
• Eplerenone
• Eprosartan
• Everolimus
• Interferon Alfa-2a
• Irbesartan
• Losartan
• Morphine
• Morphine Sulfate Liposome
• Nilotinib
• Olmesartan Medoxomil
• Pixantrone
• Pomalidomide
• Potassium
• Romidepsin
• Spironolactone
• Telmisartan
• Topotecan
• Trabectedin
• Triamterene
• Trimethoprim
• Valsartan
• Vincristine
• Vincristine Sulfate Liposome

Using this medication with the medicines listed below may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, however using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one drug for the other.

• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Aspirin
• Azosemide
• Bemetizide
• Cyclopenthiazide
• Benzthiazide
• Bromfenac
• Bufexamac
• Bumetanide
• Bupivacaine
• Bupivacaine Liposome
• Buthiazide
• Capsaicin
• Celecoxib
• Chlorothiazide
• Chlorpromazine
• Chlorthalidone
• Choline Salicylate
• Clonixin
• Clopamide
• Cyclopenthiazide
• Cyclothiazide
• Dexibuprofen
• Dexketoprofen
• Diclofenac
• Dislunisal
• Digoxin
• Dipyrone
• Ethacrynic Acid
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Etoricoxib
• Felbinac
• Fenoprofen
• Fepradinol
• Feprazone
• Floctafenine
• Flufenamic Acid
• Flurbiprofen
• Furosemide
• Gold Sodium Thiomalate
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Hydroflumethiazide
• Ibuprofen
• Ibuprofen Lysine
• Icatibant
• Indapamide
• Indomethacin
• Ketoprofen
• Ketorolac
• Lornoxicam
• Loxoprofen
• Lumiracoxib
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Meloxicam
• Methyclothiazide
• Metolazone
• Morniflumate
• Nabumetone
• Naproxen
• Nepafenac
• Nesiritide
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Oxaprozin
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Parecoxib
• Phenylbutazone
• Piketoprofen
• Piretanide
• Piroxicam
• Polythiazide
• Pranoprofen
• Proglumetacin
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Quinethazone
• Rofecoxib
• Salicylic Acid
• Salsalate
• Sodium Salicylate
• Sulindac
• Tenoxicam
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Torsemide
• Trichlormethiazide
• Valdecoxib
• Xipamide

Can food or alcohol interact with Captopril?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Captopril?

The presence of other health problems can affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, arms or legs).
• Collagen vascular disease (autoimmune disease) along with kidney disease or scleroderma (autoimmune disease).
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
• Electrolyte imbalance (example: low sodium in the blood).
• Fluid imbalance (caused by dehydration, vomiting, or diarrhea).
• Heart or blood vessel disease (such as aortic stenosis).
• Liver disease.
• Kidney problems (including patients on dialysis). The effect can be increased due to slower release of the drug from the body.

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.