Capoten is used in the treatment of high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. When prescribed for high blood pressure, it is effective used alone or combined with diuretics. If it is prescribed for congestive heart failure, it is used in combination with digitalis and diuretics. Capoten is in a family of drugs known as "ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors." It works by preventing a chemical in your blood called angiotensin I from converting into a more potent form that increases salt and water retention in your body. Capoten also enhances blood flow throughout your blood vessels.
In addition, Capoten is used to improve survival in certain people who have suffered heart attacks and to treat kidney disease in diabetics.
Some doctors also prescribe Capoten for angina pectoris (crushing chest pain), Raynaud's phenomenon (a disorder of the blood vessels that causes the fingers to turn white when exposed to cold), and rheumatoid arthritis.
If you have high blood pressure, you must take Capoten regularly for it to be effective. Since blood pressure declines gradually, it may be several weeks before you get the full benefit of Capoten; you must continue taking it even if you are feeling well. Capoten does not cure high blood pressure; it merely keeps it under control.
Capoten tablets contain the active ingredient captopril, which is a type of drug called an ACE inhibitor. (NB. Captopril is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic drug.)
ACE inhibitors work by blocking the action of a compound in the body called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Normally ACE produces another compound called angiotensin II, as part of the body's natural control of blood pressure. Angiotensin II causes blood vessels to constrict and narrow, which increases the pressure within the blood vessels.
As captopril blocks the action of ACE, it reduces the production of angiotensin II. This means that the blood vessels are allowed to relax and widen. The overall effect of this is a drop in blood pressure, hence captopril can be used to lower high blood pressure.
The reduced pressure within the blood vessels means that the heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump the blood around the body. This means that ACE inhibitors such as captopril can be used to improve the symptoms of heart failure, where the heart is not pumping as efficiently as it should be. Captopril has also been shown to improve survival following a heart attack and to help prevent heart failure in people with a weak heart after suffering a heart attack.
Why is this drug prescribed?
- diabetic kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy) in people with type 1 diabetes.;
- heart failure;
- high blood pressure (hypertension);
- improving survival following a heart attack;
- preventing symptomatic heart failure in people with a poorly functioning heart (left ventricular dysfunction) after suffering a heart attack;
- rash;
- low blood pressure;
- loss of taste;
- shortness of breath;
- severe swelling of lips face tongue or throat (angioedema - see warning above);
- rash or itching;
- pins and needles sensations (paraesthesia);
- low blood pressure (hypotension);
- increased level of potassium in the blood (hyperkalaemia);
- impotence;
- headache;
- hair loss;
- flushing;
- fatigue;
- faster than normal heart beat (tachycardia);
- dry mouth;
- dizziness;
- disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea constipation nausea vomiting or abdominal pain;
- disorders of the kidney liver or blood;
- chest pain (angina);
- alteration in taste;
- itching;
ADULTS
High Blood Pressure
The usual starting dose is 25 mg taken 2 or 3 times a day. If you have any problems with your kidneys or suffer from other major health problems, your starting dose may be lower. Depending on how your blood pressure responds, your doctor may increase your dose later, up to a total of 150 mg 2 or 3 times a day. The maximum recommended daily dose is 450 mg.
Heart Failure
For most people, the usual dose is 25 mg taken 3 times a day. A daily dosage of 450 mg should not be exceeded.
After a Heart Attack
The usual starting dose is 6.25 mg, taken once, followed by 12.5 mg 3 times a day. Your doctor will increase the dose over the next several days to 25 mg taken 3 times a day and then, over the next several weeks, to 50 mg 3 times a day.
Kidney Disease in Diabetes
The usual dose is 25 mg taken 3 times a day.
CHILDREN
The safety and effectiveness of Capoten in children have not been established.
