Captopril
Also sold as: Capoten
Prescription neededACE inhibitors
Comes as:Tablet
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose: start 12.5 mg two or three times a day; usual dose 25 to 50 mg two or three times a day. Take about 1 hour before meals.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- dry cough
- dizziness
- taste changes
- headache
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- swelling of face
- lips
- tongue or throat
- fainting
- very high potassium (weakness
- irregular heartbeat)
- kidney problems
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Pregnancy (can harm the baby)
- Past swelling of face or throat with an ACE inhibitor
- Narrowing of the arteries to both kidneys
- Kidney disease or high potassium (use with caution)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious3 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Lithium carbonate
ACE inhibitors raise lithium levels and the risk of toxicity.
- Potassium chloride
Potassium supplements with ACE inhibitors can cause dangerously high potassium.
- Spironolactone
Together they can raise potassium to dangerous levels; blood tests are needed.
Moderate1 medicineTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Ibuprofen
NSAIDs reduce the blood pressure effect and raise the risk of kidney damage.