captopril

Brand name(s):

Capoten

What is the most important information I should know about captopril?

Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Captopril could cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of captopril. Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking captopril, unless your doctor has told you to.

Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking captopril. Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.

What is captopril?

Captopril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme.

Captopril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), congestive heart failure, kidney problems caused by diabetes, and to improve survival after a heart attack.

Captopril may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking captopril?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to captopril or to any other ACE inhibitor, such as benazopril (Lotensin), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).

Before using captopril, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
heart disease or congestive heart failure;
diabetes; or
a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use captopril, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Captopril could cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Captopril can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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