Captopril

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Canadian/Mexican Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure.
• It is used to improve symptoms produced by a weakened heart and to improve left ventricular dysfunction after a heart attack.
• It is used to protect kidney function in diabetic patients who have protein loss.
• It is used to improve symptoms of Raynaud's syndrome.

How does it work?

• Captopril lowers blood pressure by decreasing production of a strong chemical in the body that increases blood pressure.
• This lowered blood pressure also protects the weakened heart and helps improve fluid removal from the body.
• The improvement in blood flow through the kidney helps the diabetic.

How is it best taken?

• Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
• Do not take antacids within 2 hours of this medicine.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can increase blood pressure.
• If you are diabetic, watch blood sugar. This medicine may decrease blood sugar. Diabetic medicines may need adjustments.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are taking allopurinol or lithium. You may see an increase in side effects.
• Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Avoid potassium-containing salt substitutes, potassium-sparing diuretics, and potassium supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Be careful in hot weather. You may see a greater blood pressure lowering effect.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
• Feeling lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Abnormal taste (metallic, salty, or none). This is usually reversible.
• Dry cough.
• Rash.

What should I monitor?

• Watch for swelling of legs or belly, shortness of breath, weight gain, exercise tolerance. If any of these worsen tell healthcare provider.
• Report a 3-5 pound weight gain.
• Check blood pressure regularly.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
• Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Excessive perspiration, dehydration, vomiting/diarrhea. May lead to low blood pressure.
• Chest pains, fast heartbeats, shortness of breath, or decreased ability to walk.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight container at room temperature. Protect from moisture.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others or take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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