Brand Name

Capoten {Bristol-Myers Squibb}

Generic Name

captopril, pronounced KAP toe pril

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Capoten?

Capoten is a medication to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure, and is in a group of medications called angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors {ACE inhibitors}. You may also be prescribed Capoten to treat congestive heart failure or to lower your risk of death if you have had a heart attack. Capoten is also used to treat kidney problems caused by diabetes.

Capoten may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Capoten

Capoten is in FDA pregnancy category D. You should not use Capoten if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Capoten you should stop taking this medication and contact your doctor right away. Capoten may cause injury or death to an unborn baby if taken during your second or third trimester. You should be sure to use effective birth control while taking Capoten.

While you are taking Capoten you should not drink alcohol. Because drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure , you may experience an increase in certain side effects of Capoten if you drink while taking this medication.

Unless your doctor has advised you to do so, you should not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Capoten.

Until you know how you will react to Capoten you should avoid getting up too fast from a lying or sitting position, as you may experience dizziness. Be sure to get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall, especially when you first begin your treatment with Capoten.

If you suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating you can easily become dehydrated while taking Capoten. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure. You should tell your doctor if you suffer from these symptoms while taking Capoten, and be certain to drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.

Continue to use Capoten as your doctor has directed, and be sure to get your blood pressure
checked regularly.

Before You Take Capoten

If you are allergic to Capoten, or any other ACE inhibitor, like benazepril (Lotensin), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik) you should not take Capoten.

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding you should not take Capoten.

You should inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease or congestive heart failure before taking Capoten.

If you have diabetes you should tell your doctor before starting treatment with Capoten.

Let your doctor know if you have a connective tissue disease like Marfan syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis before taking Capoten.

Capoten Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• aspirin
• diuretics or water pills like amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide)
• gold injections to treat arthritis
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith)
• medications which dilate your blood vessels, like alprostadil (Caverject, Edex), nitroglycerin (Nitro Dur, Nitrolingual, Nitrostat, Transderm Nitro) nitroprusside (Nitropress), nesiritide (Natrecor), minoxidil (Loniten) and isosorbide dinitrate (Imdur, Isordil)
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin) and meloxicam (Mobic)
• potassium supplements like K-Dur or Klor-Con
• salt substitutes that contain potassium

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Capoten. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Capoten

You should take Capoten exactly as directed by your doctor . It is important that you do not take Capoten in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

Capoten should be taken one hour before meals.

You may need to take Capoten on a long-term basis for the treatment of high blood pressure. It is important that you follow up with your doctor on a regular basis to be sure that Capoten is helping your condition and not causing you to have any adverse or harmful effects.

Capoten should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed.

If you miss a dose of Capoten you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose is less than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

Capoten Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Capoten and seek emergency medical help immediately.

• allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• chest pain or shortness of breath
• bleeding that is unusual, like from your mouth, nose, rectum or vagina
• easy bruising or bleeding
• faint feeling, lightheadedness and paleness
• fever with chills, body aches and flu symptoms
• heartbeats which are fast, pounding or uneven
• high potassium signs, with symptoms like a slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness or a tingly feeling
• pinpoint spots under your skin that are purple or red
• swelling with rapid weight gain
• urinary abnormalities, such as urinating less often or not at all

Less serious side effects of Capoten may include:

• appetite loss or loss of taste sensation
• cough
• constipation
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• headache
• insomnia
• itching or rash that is mild
• mouth sores
• nausea

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Capoten. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Capoten Description and Dosing

Capoten is available in tablets of 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg strengths. The 12.5 mg tablet is a biconvex oval with a partial bisect bar. The 25 mg tablet is a biconvex rounded square with a quadrisect bar. The 50 mg and 100 mg tablets are biconvex ovals with a bisect bar. The Capoten tablets are all white and have a slight sulfurous odor.

Capoten may be prescribed in a range of doses. Your doctor will prescribe the correct dose of Capoten for you. Do not alter or change your dose of Capoten without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Capoten you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Capoten

Capoten contains the active ingredient captopril. Inactive ingredients include microcrystalline cellulose, corn starch, lactose, and stearic acid.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.