Captopril : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Do not take captopril if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking captopril, call your doctor immediately. Captopril may harm the fetus.

Captopril is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It is also used to improve survival and reduce the risk of heart failure after a heart attack in patients with a heart condition called left ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement of the walls of the left side of the heart). Captopril is also used to treat kidney disease (nephropathy) caused by diabetes in patients with type 1 diabetes and retinopathy (eye disease). Captopril is in a class of medications called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It decreases certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels, so blood flows more fluidly and the heart can pump blood more efficiently.

High blood pressure is a common condition, and when left untreated it can damage the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of the body. Damage to these organs can cause heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. In addition to taking medications, making lifestyle changes will also help control your blood pressure. These changes include eating a diet low in fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising for at least 30 minutes most days, not smoking, and consuming alcohol in moderation.

Captopril comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken two to three times a day on an empty stomach, 1 hour before meals. To remind you to take captopril, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts you do not understand. Take captopril exactly as directed. Do not take more or less, or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Captopril controls high blood pressure and heart failure, but it does not cure them. Keep taking captopril even if you feel fine. Do not stop taking captopril without consulting your doctor.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking captopril,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to captopril; other ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec, in Vaseretic), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (in Prinzide, in Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc, in Uniretic), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic, in Quinaretic) and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); any other medication; or any of the ingredients in captopril tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking valsartan and sacubitril (Entresto) or if you stopped taking them within the last 36 hours. Your doctor will likely tell you not to take captopril, if you are also taking valsartan and sacubitril. Also, tell your doctor if you have diabetes and are taking aliskiren (Tekturna, in Amturnide, Tekamlo, Tekturna HCT). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take captopril if you have diabetes and are also taking aliskiren.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin (Indocin, Tivorbex); diuretics (‘water pills’); lithium (Lithobid); nitrates such as isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil, in Bidil), isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket), and nitroglycerin (Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat, others); other medications for high blood pressure; or potassium supplements.
• Tell your doctor if you have diabetes or heart or kidney disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking captopril.
• You should know that diarrhea, vomiting, not drinking enough fluids, and sweating a lot can lead to a drop in blood pressure, which can lead to dizziness and fainting.

Talk to your doctor before using salt substitutes that contain potassium. If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these instructions carefully.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you forgot.

Captopril may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• dizziness or lightheadedness
• salty or metallic taste, or decreased ability to taste
• cough
• fast heartbeat
• excessive tiredness

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• chest pain
• swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
• hives
• hoarseness
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• stomach pain
• fainting
• rash
• itching
• mouth sores
• fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit a report online to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unnecessary medications must be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and others cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medicine down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medications is through a drug take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage / recycling department to find out about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA Safe Drug Disposal website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children, since many containers (such as those containing weekly pills and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not resistant to children and small children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, always close the safety caps and immediately place the medicine in a safe place, one that is upright and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot wake up, immediately call 911 for emergency services.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly to determine your response to captopril.

Captopril tablets may have a slight sulfur odor (like rotten eggs).

Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.