Captopril is used on its own or together with other medicines to keep your blood pressure under control.
This medicine may also be used to treat other conditions such as heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood) and kidney disease caused by diabetes, and to reduce the risk of heart complications after a heart attack.
Take Captopril exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you should take this medicine with or without food. Different brands of Captopril may be taken differently.
This medicine is available as a tablet or oral solution.
If you have been given the oral solution, use the pipette (dropper) supplied with each bottle to measure your dose. Refer to the package insert for directions on how the dropper should be used.
Captopril must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of swelling of the deep layers of the skin usually around the face, lips and throat from a previous therapy with a similar medicine
- inherited swelling of the deep layers of the skin caused by a build-up of fluid or due to an unknown reason
as Captopril may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. Captopril may cause harm to your unborn child.
Do not take this medicine with sacubitril (medicine used in combination with valsartan to treat long-term heart failure).
Do not take Captopril with aliskiren (medicine used to treat high blood pressure) if you have diabetes and severe kidney disease.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- reduced sodium levels in the blood or fluid volume in the body that may be due to a dietary salt restriction, kidney dialysis, vomiting or diarrhoea
- high level of aldosterone hormone due to overactivity of adrenal glands
- heart disease such as narrowing of the valves of the heart
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- immune system diseases affecting collagen
- diabetes
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. urine test for acetone), inform your doctor that you are taking Captopril.
Let your doctor know if you are going to undergo other procedures or treatments such as desensitisation (treatment for an allergic reaction) to wasp or bee stings, removal of cholesterol from your blood by a machine (LDL apheresis), or dialysis with high flux membranes.
If you are of a Black race, this medicine may be less effective. Inform your doctor if you are taking this medicine.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. kidney function, electrolyte levels, complete blood count) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly.
What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my blood pressure?
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help control your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Engage in physical activity like walking for at least 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. If you have not exercised for a long time, start with light exercises such as slow walks. Speak to your doctor about what type of exercise would be suitable for you. Follow a healthy diet plan by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products and reduce your intake of foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Cutting down on deep-fried foods and using less salt when cooking can kick-start your healthy diet.
If you smoke, you should try to quit. Smoking is harmful to your blood pressure, heart and overall health. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to stop your smoking habit.
Captopril may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, stomach discomfort and pain, indigestion, taste impairment, dizziness, persistent dry cough, loss of appetite, difficulty in breathing, joint pain, difficulty sleeping, chest pain, palpitations, rapid heartbeat, flushing, paleness, rash, itchiness, and hair loss.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- swelling of the face, limbs, tongue or throat
- pain or difficulty in passing urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine
- muscle weakness, cramping or numbness; fast or irregular heartbeat
- nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps at night, frequent urination, foamy, frothy or bubbly urine; swelling in your hands, feet, belly or face
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
Captopril may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.
This medicine may cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Captopril with aliskiren (medicine used to treat high blood pressure) if you have diabetes and severe kidney disease.
Do not take this medicine if have taken sacubitril (medicine used in combination with valsartan to treat long-term heart failure) within 36 hours.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. sirolimus, temsirolimus, everolimus
- water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride
- potassium supplements (either as a medicine or as a salt substitute)
- medicine to treat depression e.g. amitriptyline
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. risperidone, clozapine, lithium
- medicines for diabetes e.g. insulin, gliclazide, vildagliptin
- other medicines for high blood pressure
- NSAIDs (medicine for pain and inflammation) e.g. indometacin, ibuprofen, celecoxib
- medicine to block pain and sensation
- sodium aurothiomalate or injectable gold (medicine to treat inflammation in the joints of fingers, wrist, feet, and ankles)
- medicines for cancer e.g. cisplatin
- medicines for gout (high uric acid level in the blood) e.g. allopurinol, probenecid
- procainamide (medicine for irregular heartbeat)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Captopril.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements and medicine that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Avoid taking too much food that is high in potassium, such as orange juice, bananas, or prunes.
Cut down on your salt intake. This may help lower your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Discuss with your doctor or dietitian about ways to cut down on your salt intake.
Store tablets in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from moisture.
Available products of Captopril oral solution may vary with its storage requirements. Ask your doctor or pharmacist on how to properly store this medicine.
The oral solution should be used within 28 weeks after opening.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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