Generic Name: captopril (KAP toe pril)Brand Names: Capoten
Captopril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. 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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking captopril. Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before you take captopril, tell your doctor if you have:
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.
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.Captopril is usually taken 1 hour before meals. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking captopril. Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking 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 fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store captopril at room temperature away from moisture and heat.See also: Captopril dosage in more detail
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
feeling light-headed, fainting;
urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
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 in the mouth or on the 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.
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Initial dose: 25 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day one hour before meals.Maintenance dose: 25 to 150 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day one hour before meals.
Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure:
Initial dose: 25 mg orally 3 times a day (6.25 to 12.5 mg orally 3 times a day if volume depleted or hypotensive).Maintenance dose: After a dose of 50 mg three times a day is reached, further increases in dosage should be delayed, where possible, for at least 2 weeks to determine if a satisfactory response occurs. Most patients studied have had a satisfactory clinical improvement at 50 to 100 mg three times a day. Captopril should generally be used in conjunction with a diuretic and digitalis.
Usual Adult Dose for Left Ventricular Dysfunction:
Initial dose: 6.25 mg orally for one dose, then 12.5 mg orally 3 times a day.Increasing dose: The dose is increased to 25 mg orally 3 times a day during the next several days. Maintenance dose: The dose is increased to a target dose of 50 mg orally 3 times a day over the next several weeks as tolerated.Therapy may be initiated as early as three days following a myocardial infarction. Captopril may be used in patients treated with other post-myocardial infarction therapies, e.g., thrombolytics, aspirin, beta blockers.
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetic Nephropathy:
The recommended dose for long-term use is 25 mg orally 3 times a day.
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertensive Emergency:
When prompt titration of blood pressure is indicated, continue diuretic therapy and halt current medication therapy and initiate 25 mg two or three times daily under close supervision. Increase the dose every 24 hours or less until a satisfactory response is obtained or the maximum dose is reached.
Usual Adult Dose for Cystinuria:
Initial dose: 25 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day one hour before meals. Initial doses may be titrated as tolerated approximately every 1 to 2 weeks to reduce the degree of cystinuria.Limited data have shown significant reductions in the urinary excretion of cystine after daily doses of captopril of 150 mg.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Congestive Heart Failure:
Neonates: 0.1 to 0.4 mg/kg/day orally given every 6 to 8 hours Infants: 0.15 to 0.3 mg/kg/dose orally; titrate upward if needed to a maximum dose of 6 mg/kg/day in 2 to 4 divided dosesChildren: 0.3 to 0.5 mg/kg/dose orally every 8 hours; titrate upward if needed to a maximum dose of 6 mg/kg/day in 2 to 4 divided dosesAdolescents: 12.5-25 mg/dose orally 2 to 3 times per day; increase weekly if necessary by 25 mg/dose to maximum dose of 450 mg per day
Usual Pediatric Dose for Diabetic Nephropathy:
Neonates: 0.1 to 0.4 mg/kg/day orally given every 6 to 8 hours Infants: 0.15 to 0.3 mg/kg/dose orally; titrate upward if needed to a maximum dose of 6 mg/kg/day in 2 to 4 divided dosesChildren: 0.3 to 0.5 mg/kg/dose orally every 8 hours; titrate upward if needed to a maximum dose of 6 mg/kg/day in 2 to 4 divided dosesAdolescents: 12.5-25 mg/dose orally 2 to 3 times per day; increase weekly if necessary by 25 mg/dose to maximum dose of 450 mg per day
Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension:
Neonates: 0.1 to 0.4 mg/kg/day orally given every 6 to 8 hours Infants: 0.15 to 0.3 mg/kg/dose orally; titrate upward if needed to a maximum dose of 6 mg/kg/day in 2 to 4 divided dosesChildren: 0.3 to 0.5 mg/kg/dose orally every 8 hours; titrate upward if needed to a maximum dose of 6 mg/kg/day in 2 to 4 divided dosesAdolescents: 12.5-25 mg/dose orally 2 to 3 times per day; increase weekly if necessary by 25 mg/dose to maximum dose of 450 mg per day
Before taking captopril, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
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, nitroprusside (Nitropress), nesiritide (Natrecor), minoxidil (Loniten), or isosorbide dinitrate (Imdur, Isordil);
aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and others; or
a diuretic (water pill).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with captopril. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.