Captopril is a drug fortreat hypertension or heart failure. This drug can also be used in the treatment of post-heart attack or kidney disease caused by diabetes (diabetic nephropathy).
Captopril or captopril is a class of drugs ACE inhibitor It works by blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin plays a role in the constriction of blood vessels. This way of working will help dilate blood vessels, so blood flow is smoother and blood pressure decreases.
This drug can also reduce complications due to hypertension and also has a protective effect on the kidneys. This drug can be used alone or in combination with other drugs.
Brandcaptopril trade: Acendril, Acepress, Captopril, Dexacap, Etapril, Farmoten, Otoryl, Prix 25, Scantensin, Tensobon, Tensicap, Tensicap 12.5, Vapril 25
What is Captopril
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | ACE inhibitor |
| Benefit | Overcoming hypertension and heart failure, preventing complications after a heart attack, and treating diabetic nephropathy |
| Consumed by | Adults, children and seniors |
| Captopril for pregnant and lactating women | Category D: There is positive evidence of risks to the human fetus, but the benefits may outweigh the risks, for example in dealing with life-threatening situations. Captopril can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablet |
Warning Before Taking Captopril
Captopril should only be taken according to a doctor's prescription. Before taking this drug, there are several things you need to pay attention to, including:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Captopril should not be used in patients allergic to this drug or to ACE drugs inhibitor others, such as perindopril.
- Tell your doctor if you have renal artery stenosis, anuria, or angioedema. Captopril should not be given to patients with these conditions.
- Tell your doctor if you have lupus, kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease, hyperkalemia, are undergoing dialysis (hemodialysis), connective tissue disease, such as Marfan's syndrome or scleroderma.
- Do not drive a vehicle or operate equipment that requires vigilance while undergoing treatment with captopril, because this drug can cause
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy. Captopril should not be used by pregnant women
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain supplements, herbal products, or medications. Captoril should not be used with aliskiren or sacubitril.
- Tell your doctor that you are taking captopril if you plan to have surgery or medical procedures, including dental surgery.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to a drug, a serious side effect, or an overdose after taking captopril.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Captopril
The doctor will determine the dose of captopril according to your age, the condition you want to treat, and the severity of the condition. In general, the following are the captopril dosages:
Condition: Hypertension
- Mature: Initial dose 25–75 mg, 2–3 times daily. The dose may be increased to 100–150 mg, divided into 2–3 doses after 2 weeks of use.
- Children less than 1 year old: 0.15 mg/kg body weight per day.
- Children and teenagers: 0.3 mg/kg body weight per day.
- seniors: Initial dose 6.25 mg per day.
Condition: Heart failure
- Mature: Initial dose 6.25–12.5 m, 2-3 times daily. Maintenance dose 75–150 mg daily.
- Children less than 1 year old: 0.15 mg/kg body weight per day.
- Children and teenagers: 0.3 mg/kg body weight per day.
- seniors: Initial dose 6.25 mg per day.
Condition: Post heart attack
- Mature: The initial dose less than 24 hours after the onset of symptoms is 6.25 mg, followed by a dose of 12.5 mg after 2 hours and 25 mg after 12 hours.
- Mature: The initial dose more than 24 hours after symptoms appear is 6.25 mg 3–16 days after a heart attack. The dose may be increased to 12.5–25 mg, 3 times daily for 2 days. Maintenance dose 75–150 mg, 2–3 times daily.
- Children less than 1 year old: 0.15 mg/kg body weight per day.
- Children and teenagers: 0.3 mg/kg body weight per day.
- seniors: Initial dose 6.25 mg per day.
Condition: Diabetic nephropathy
- Mature: 75–100 mg daily.
- Children less than 1 year old: 0.15 mg/kg body weight per day.
- Children and teenagers: 0.3 mg/kg body weight per day.
- seniors: Initial dose 6.25 mg per day.
How to Take Captopril Correctly
Use captopril as recommended by the doctor and don't forget to read the information on the drug packaging. Do not increase or decrease the dose, and do not use the drug for more than the recommended time.
Captopril should be taken on an empty stomach, ideally 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. This drug is usually recommended to be taken before bed because it can cause dizziness in the early stages of use.
Make sure that there is sufficient time between one dose and the next. Try to take captopril at the same time each day to maximize the effectiveness of the drug.
If you forget to take captopril, it is recommended to take it immediately if the gap with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Do not stop taking captopril without consulting your doctor first, even if your condition feels better. To control blood pressure, you are advised to adopt a low-salt and low-fat diet, exercise regularly, do not smoke, and limit alcoholic beverages.
Do blood pressure and health checks to the doctor regularly while taking captopril to monitor the development of body condition.
Store captopril at room temperature, and avoid heat, humidity and direct sunlight. Keep medicine out of reach of children.
Captopril Interactions with Other Drugs
There are several interactions between drugs that can occur if captopril is taken with certain drugs, including:
- Increased risk of hypotension, hyperkalemia and impaired renal function when used with aliskiren
- Increased risk of angioedema when used with sacubitril, temsirolimus, or everolimus
- Increased risk of anaphylactic shock when used with dextran sulfate
- Increased levels of lithium in the blood which can cause drug poisoning
- Increased risk of developing leukopenia (low white blood cell count) if used with procainamide or immunosuppressant drugs
- Increased risk of side effects, such as low blood pressure, when used with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), antipsychotics, or diuretics
- Decreased effectiveness of captopril and increased risk of kidney problems when used with NSAIDs
Side Effects and Dangers of Captopril
Some of the common side effects when taking captopril are:
- Dizziness or a sensation of floating
- Loss of ability to feel
- Warmth in the face, neck, or chest (flush)
- dry cough
- Low blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Fast heart rate or palpitations
Check with your doctor if the side effects above do not subside. Immediately see a doctor if you have an allergic reaction to the drug or experience more serious side effects, such as:
- Very severe fainting or dizziness
- Very fast heart rate
- High levels of potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia), which can be characterized by symptoms such as a slow or irregular heartbeat and muscle weakness
- Impaired kidney function, which can be characterized by symptoms such as infrequent urination or the amount of urine that comes out very little
- Impaired liver function, which can be characterized by symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, severe nausea and vomiting, or jaundice
- Infectious disease, which can be characterized by symptoms such as fever, chills, or sore throat
- Angioedema, which can be characterized by symptoms such as swelling of the face, tongue, or lips