Uses of Captopril
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.
Precautions and Warnings
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to captopril or to any other ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor such as benazepril, fosinopril, enalapril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril.
If you have diabetes, do not take captopril with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).
Do not take captopril within 36 hours before or after taking medicine that contains sacubitril (such as Entresto).
To make sure captopril is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- heart failure, heart problems;
- severe allergic reaction such as angioedema;
- stomach pain;
- low blood pressure;
- low white blood cell counts;
- a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis;
- if you are on a low-salt diet;
- to take medicines that weaken the immune system such as cancer medicine, steroids, and medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection;
- diabetes;
- liver disease; or
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).
You may also need to avoid taking captopril with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Captopril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you use the medicine during your second or third trimester. Do not breastfeed.
Dosage
The dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on your age, the condition being treated, the severity of your condition, other medical conditions you have and how you react to the first dose.
The Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension is 25 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day one hour before meals.
Side Effects
Common Side Effects:
- Cough;
- Low blood pressure;
- Flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
- Low blood cell counts;
- Decreased sense of taste; or
- Mild skin itching or rash.
Serious Side Effects:
- Hest pain, fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;
- A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- Heart problems – swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
- Kidney problems – swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath;
- Signs of infection – fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, bruising or bleeding;
- High blood potassium – nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement;
- Low blood sodium – headache, confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, feeling unsteady; or
- Low white blood cell counts – fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough.
