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| Pronunciation |
|
 (KAP
toe
pril) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Capoten® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
|
| Apo-Capto® (Canada); Capitral®
(Mexico); Capotena (Mexico); Cardipril® (Mexico); Cryopril (Mexico);
Ecapresan (Mexico); Ecaten (Mexico); Kenolan (Mexico); Lenpryl (Mexico);
Novo-Captopril (Canada); Nu-Capto® (Canada); Precaptil (Mexico);
Syn-Captopril®
(Canada) |
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|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. Use during the second
and third trimester (more than 12 weeks pregnant) can cause harm to the baby you
are carrying. Call healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant. Your
medicine will need to be
changed.
|
|
|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to captopril or any other part of the medicine.
If you are allergic to another angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, talk
with healthcare provider.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Disease of the vessels
(arteries) that take blood to the kidney, primary hyperaldosteronism, idiopathic
or hereditary angioedema.
- If you are more than 12 weeks
pregnant.
|
|
|
| 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 activities
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.
|
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight container at room temperature. Protect from
moisture.
|
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|
| 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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