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|Captopril

Captopril

Captopril is used for:

Treating high blood pressure, heart failure, or certain diabetic kidney problems. It is used to improve survival and decrease heart failure in certain patients after a heart attack. It may be used alone or in combination with other medicines. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It works by decreasing a chemical that tightens blood vessels. This causes blood vessels to relax (dilate), which lowers blood pressure and decreases the workload on the heart.

Do NOT use Captopril if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Captopril
• you are in the second or third trimester of pregnancy
• you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue) to any other ACE inhibitor (eg, enalapril)
• you are currently taking dextran sulfate

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Captopril :

Some medical conditions may interact with Captopril . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you have swelling of the lips, eyes, or tongue; bone marrow depression; decreased blood flow to the heart or brain; high blood potassium levels; low blood sodium levels; thickening of the skin; kidney disease, transplant, or dialysis; heart problems; lupus; an autoimmune disease; or are on a sodium-restricted diet

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Captopril . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Allopurinol or dextran sulfate because it may increase the risk of an allergic reaction (eg, rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue) and lightheadedness upon standing
• Diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide) because the risk of serious side effects may be increased
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin) because the effectiveness of Captopril may be decreased and the risk of kidney damage may be increased
• Lithium or thiopurines (eg, azathioprine) because the risk of serious side effects may be increased by Captopril
• Oral diabetes medicine (eg, glyburide) because side effects, including abnormally low blood sugar levels (eg, hunger, shakiness or weakness, dizziness, headache, sweating), may be increased by Captopril
• Potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, amiloride) because high blood potassium levels (eg, listlessness, confusion, abnormal skin sensations in the arms or legs, heaviness of limbs, slow or irregular heartbeat, or stopping of the heart) may occur

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Captopril may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Captopril :

Use Captopril as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Captopril 1 hour before meals, on an empty stomach.
• Captopril works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
• Continue to use Captopril even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Captopril , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Captopril .

Important safety information:

• Captopril may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Captopril . Using Captopril alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness may occur if you stand up too fast from a lying or sitting position. If this occurs, get up slowly and avoid sudden changes in posture. If lightheadedness occurs, especially during the first few days of treatment, contact your health care provider.
• Patients being treated for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after beginning therapy. Continue taking your medicine even though you may feel quite "normal." Contact your doctor or pharmacist about any new symptoms.
• Black patients are at higher risk for certain side effects, and may not respond as well to Captopril as patients of other races. If your symptoms do not improve or worsen while on Captopril , contact your doctor.
• Patients being treated for high blood pressure should avoid using nonprescription medicines that contain stimulants such as products used for dieting (appetite suppressants) or for cold symptoms (eg, pseudoephedrine).
• Do not use a salt-substitute or a potassium supplement without checking with your doctor.
• Diabetes patients - Captopril may interfere with urine tests for ketones and may give inaccurate test results. Check with your doctor before you adjust your dose of your diabetes medicine or change your diet.
• LAB TESTS, such as blood pressure monitoring, blood potassium or other electrolyte levels, and urine tests, may be performed to monitor your condition. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Captopril with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: When Captopril is used after the third month of pregnancy, it can cause injury or even death to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. Captopril is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Captopril .

Possible side effects of Captopril :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Cough; diarrhea; dizziness or lightheadedness when sitting or standing quickly; fatigue; fever; headache; itching; joint pain; nausea; taste changes; vomiting; weakness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); any signs of infection such as fever or sore throat; chest pain; difficulty swallowing; fainting; irregular or slow heartbeat; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness; weakness.

Store Captopril at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Captopril out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Captopril , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Captopril is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Captopril . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.