Captopril

Generic name: captopril
Brand name: Capoten
Drug class: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Dosage form: tablet
Root of administration: oral
Dose: 12.5, 25, 50, 100 mg
Mechanism of action:Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, which means it works by inhibiting the action of the ACE enzyme.
Drug usage cases: Captopril is used in adults alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and congestive heart failure.

Captopril 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).

Drug contraindications: To make sure captopril is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart failure, heart problems
• severe allergic reaction such as angioedema
• stomach pain
• low blood pressure
• low white blood cell counts
• a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis
• if you are on a low-salt diet
• to take medicines that weaken the immune system such as cancer medicine, steroids, and medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
• diabetes
• liver disease
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

Side effects: Captopril may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• chest pain, fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• heart problems – swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
• kidney problems – swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath;
• signs of infection – fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, bruising or bleeding;
• high blood potassium – nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement;
• low blood sodium – headache, confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, feeling unsteady; or
• low white blood cell counts – fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough.

Warnings: Do not use captopril if you are pregnant. Stop using captopril and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. If you have diabetes, do not use captopril together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo).

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Captopril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you use the medicine during your second or third trimester. Do not breastfeed.