GenRx Captopril

Generic Name: Captopril
Product Name: GenRx Captopril

Indication

Captopril is used in the treatment of:

• Hypertension: Captopril is effective as a singleragent or in combination with other antihypertensive agents such as thiazide-type diuretics.
• Myocardial Infarction: Captopril improves survival rates following myocardial infarction and reduces the incidence of heart failure in these patients.
• Heart failure
• Diabetic Nephropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Action

Captopril is an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor. Like other drugs of this class, captopril works by interfering with a chemical cascade that leads to decreased production of Angiotensin II and Aldosterone which are important in constricting the bodies blood vessels, and conserving salt and water, both of which increase blood pressure. Therefore the effect of captopril is to reduce blood pressure and the amount of work that has to be done by the heart.

Dose advice

Hypertension

• The initial dose is 6.25-12.5mg and the usual maintenance dose is 25-50mg daily;
• If the blood pressure is not adequately lowered a thiazide diuretic should be added.

Myocardial Infarction:

• Initially 6.25mg should be given daily from the third day after the myocardial infarction.
• This dose should be gradually increased over several weeks to 50mg three times daily.

Heart failure:

• Initial dose should be 2.5-6.25mg daily and the usual maintenance dose is 25-75mg twice daily.

Diabetic Nephropathy:

• 75-100mg is given daily, in 2 divided doses.

Schedule

S4

Common side effects

• Hypotension (low blood pressure) occurs.
• Rash occurs in some patients and are more likely to occur in patients with renal impairment. The rash generally occurs during the first four weeks of treatment, and will resolve even with continued use of Captopril.
• Cough: The cough produced by Captopril and other ACE-inhibitors is typically persistent, non-productive, dry and worse at night. It resolves after discontinuation of therapy.
• Taste disturbances such as decreased taste sensitivity, or metallic tastes can occur during the first few weeks of treatment but usually disappear within 1-3 months.

Uncommon side effects

• Tachycardia, chest pain and palpitations
• Gastric irritation
• Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia and constipation.
• Stomatitis and tongue ulceration
• Proteinuria
• Polyuria, oliguria and increased urinary frequency.
• Reversible lymphadenopathy.
• Flushing
• Pallor
• Dermatological side effects such as bullous pemphigus, erythema multiforme (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome) and exfoliative dermatitis, photosensitivity.
• Paraesthesia of the hands.
• Myalgia
• fatigue
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Dyspnoea
• Bronchospasm
• Disturbed vision
• Itching and/or dry eyes
• Impotence and loss of libido
• Insomnia
• Asthenia
• Gynecomastia
• Raynaud’s phenomenon
• Photosensitivity

For further information talk to your doctor.