What is the most important information I should know about captopril?
Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs should not be used with captopril.
What is captopril?
Captopril is used in adults alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, kidney problems caused by diabetes, and to improve survival after a heart attack.
Captopril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking captopril?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to captopril or to any other ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor such as benazepril, fosinopril, enalapril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril.
If you have diabetes, do not take captopril with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).
Do not take captopril within 36 hours before or after taking medicine that contains sacubitril (such as Entresto).
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; or
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).
You may also need to avoid taking captopril with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
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.
How should I take captopril?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before a meal.
Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking captopril. This can lead to very low blood pressure, an electrolyte imbalance, or kidney failure.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often, and you may need frequent blood tests.
This medicine may cause false results on a urine test. Tell the laboratory staff that you use captopril.
Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery.
If you have high blood pressure, keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking captopril?
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.
Do not take potassium supplements or use salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
Avoid strenuous exercise if you are being treated for heart failure. Ask your doctor about your risk.
What are the possible side effects of captopril?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: severe stomach pain, hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
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.
Common side effects may include:
- cough;
- low blood pressure;
- flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
- low blood cell counts;
- decreased sense of taste; 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.
What other drugs will affect captopril?
Captopril can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, or osteoporosis.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
- a diuretic or "water pill" that may increase blood potassium such as spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride;
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others;
- medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection such as temsirolimus, sirolimus, or everolimus; or
- heart or blood pressure medication.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect captopril, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about captopril.
