High blood pressure is not the norm for the human body. In youth, often this problem goes unnoticed. With age, elevated blood pressure causes many adverse and dangerous changes in the body.
To normalize the condition at high pressure and to reduce the likelihood of undesirable consequences, doctors prescribe antihypertensive drugs to their patients suffering from hypertension. The group of these drugs includes Kapoten. This tool is not safe. When taking "Kapoten" overdose, side effects are not excluded. For this reason, one can not ignore the instructions for the drug, the recommendations of doctors.
The composition of the drug
The active ingredient of Capoten is captopril. Its content in one tablet is 25 mg. This substance prevents the increase in blood pressure, helps to reduce it.
There are several excipients in the Kapoten composition:
- corn starch;
- microcrystalline cellulose;
- lactose;
- stearic acid.
Drug action
Due to the fact that the active substance helps to lower blood pressure, Kapoten is referred to as antihypertensive drugs. It is a highly specific ACE inhibitor. It is not so easy to describe the effect of the drug, because people without medical knowledge have no idea what complex processes are happening in their body.
How does the pressure rise? In the human body there is such a hormone as angiotensin. It is he who constricts blood vessels, increases pressure. Angiotensin I is formed from an angiotensinogen protein that is produced by the liver. In the future, changes occur with the hormone. Under the influence of angiotensin - converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin I, which does not have biological activity, becomes angiotensin II, which has powerful vasoconstrictor properties.
Captopril, when it enters the human body after taking the Capoten tablet, prevents the formation of angiotensin II. Due to this, the vasoconstrictor effect of the hormone on venous and arterial vessels decreases, blood pressure decreases.
Indications for use
The drug is recommended to drink with arterial hypertension. This information is indicated in the instructions for use of Kapoten. At what pressure does arterial hypertension occur? Doctors call the exact numbers - from 140/90 mm Hg. Art. and higher. Arterial hypertension is mainly caused by a hereditary predisposition, but other factors (relationships with people, nutrition, working conditions and others) play an important role.
The drug has other indications:
- Kapoten is drunk in chronic heart failure. This is a syndrome that develops as a result of diseases of the cardiovascular system and leads to a decrease in the pumping function of the heart.
- After myocardial infarction. The drug is prescribed by a doctor to treat the impaired functioning of the left ventricle. Admission is recommended for those patients who are in a stable clinical condition.
Contraindications
The drug is not prescribed if there is a history of hypersensitivity to captopril. It is also not recommended for pregnant women, during lactation, for children under 18 years of age. In such cases, the drug is not prescribed due to the fact that today there is no evidence of its effectiveness and safety for the listed conditions, the indicated age period.
Among the contraindications are:
- stenosis of the aortic orifice or other changes that impede the normal outflow of blood from the left ventricle;
- severe violations in the functioning of the kidneys, liver;
- hyperkalemia (abnormally high concentration of potassium in the blood);
- the presence of a history of edema in places with developed subcutaneous tissue (on the eyelids, cheeks, lips) that arose during treatment with ACE inhibitors (in medicine, this condition is called Quincke's edema);
- artery stenosis of a single kidney with progressive azotemia;
- bilateral renal artery stenosis ;
- condition after kidney transplantation.
Dosage and administration
"Kapoten" is a tool that is completely unsuitable for self-medication. Concerning its use, it is necessary to consult a doctor. The specialist for each patient selects a specific treatment regimen, taking into account the diagnosis, age. He says how much to drink “Kapoten”.
For example, with arterial hypertension, treatment begins with the intake of half a tablet. This initial dose is divided into 2 times a day. Then it increases taking into account the diagnosis. With a mild to moderate course of the disease, 1 tablet is prescribed twice a day. The maximum allowable dose is set for patients with this diagnosis in the amount of 4 tablets. In severe arterial hypertension, they drink 2 tablets 3 times a day.
With heart failure, treatment is carried out strictly under the supervision of a doctor. Therapy begins with the minimum daily dosage of “Kapoten” for adults - 6.25 mg three times a day (weight of 1 tablet is 25 mg). After a few days, the dose is gradually increased. Its maximum allowable daily value is 150 mg. The same minimum and maximum dose is established for treatment after myocardial infarction.
Elderly people are strictly prescribed by a doctor for any diagnoses. At this age, dose adjustment is required.
Additional guidance
The question of how long Kapoten acts is of interest to many people taking this medicine. The manufacturer does not name exact numbers. The instructions indicate that after administration, the drug is rapidly absorbed through the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. It is also recommended that Kapoten should be drunk 1 hour before meals. Shortly before and during meals, the drug should not be taken, since food slows down the absorption of the active substance by 30–40%.
In the right dosage “Kapoten” is not put under the tongue. It is washed down with a sufficient amount of water and swallowed. A special recommendation has been made regarding nutrition. During treatment, a low sodium diet should be followed.
Attention also deserves the interaction of Kapoten with other drugs. Here are some of the effects that can occur with the wrong combination of medicines:
- When taking adrenoblockers, ganglion blockers, diuretics, the effect of captopril is enhanced. The active substance contributes to an even greater decrease in blood pressure.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, Indomethacin), Clonidine reduce the antihypertensive effect of Capoten.
- When taking immunosuppressants and captopril, the likelihood of hematological disorders increases.
Side effects
Side symptoms can occur from different systems of internal organs. Skin rashes are possible. Often with this symptom itching. In rare cases, body temperature rises. The rash disappears after a decrease in the dosage of the drug.
The gastrointestinal tract often responds to the intake of the drug with a taste disorder, dry mouth, abdominal pain, diarrhea. Some patients complain of headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, cough, tachycardia, peripheral edema. There are a lot of side symptoms. Their presence must be reported to the doctor. Some side effects require medical attention. For example, with swelling of the face and lips, the medication is canceled and antihistamines are prescribed. With swelling of the tongue, pharynx, and larynx, there is a threat to life. To eliminate this side effect, the introduction of adrenaline under the skin is required.
Is an overdose possible
An overdose is possible, because it is not for nothing that the experts established the maximum permissible doses. This medicine is not harmless. An overdose of “Kapotenom” is a dangerous condition. With it, the work of the cardiovascular system is disrupted, blood pressure drops sharply.
Not even a fatal outcome is possible. How many tablets with an overdose of “Kapoten” can lead to such a deplorable consequence? There is no single lethal dose. For each patient, it is individual. By the way, death is possible not only with an overdose, but also when taking the drug in the presence of contraindications.
When an overdose occurs
Overdose is possible in several cases:
- The patient took a large dose of the drug. This happens quite often when a person feels bad. He, wanting to quickly get rid of the symptoms or save his life, drinks too many pills, forgets about the maximum allowable dose.
- The patient takes several drugs to lower blood pressure. These situations are possible during self-medication. In order not to encounter an overdose, you need to consult a doctor about the doses and drug interactions of Kapoten with other medicines.
- The child took the pills found at home. In order to prevent such situations, you need to store the tablets in places that are inaccessible to children.
How does an overdose manifest and what to do
Overdose "Kapotenom" manifests itself in a number of symptoms. The patient has a pronounced decrease in blood pressure. In case of captopril poisoning, thromboembolic complications, acute cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction are not excluded.
In case of an overdose, the help of medical workers is necessary . The patient requires the introduction of an isotonic sodium hydrochloride solution intravenously. Instead, other plasma-substituting solutions may be used . Also, treatment with an overdose of “Kapoten” includes hemodialysis - an extrarenal blood purification method through an artificial membrane using an “artificial kidney” apparatus.
Where to buy medicine
The drug is in all Russian pharmacies. Anyone can not buy it. Kapoten is sold only by prescription. In pharmacies, there are different packages that differ in the number of tablets, at the price of:
- In a pack there may be 2 blisters of 14 tablets. Such packaging is considered the smallest. The price of 28 pills is 180 rubles.
- In medium-sized packs, there are 40 tablets - 4 blisters of 10 pieces. The cost is an average of 250 rubles.
- 56 pills are packaged in a large pack. These are 4 blisters for 14 pieces. The approximate price of such a Kapoten package is 340 rubles.
A convenient and modern way of buying “Kapoten” is to order a medicine in a federal online service. From any convenient place where there is Internet access, you can order the right drug. Delivery is carried out only in pharmacies. It is there that you will need to pay for the purchase and present a prescription.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that when taking medication you should always be guided by the doctor’s prescription and instructions for the use of Kapoten. Under what pressure to accept it is a question on which it is important for everyone to know the answer. Pressure from 140/90 mm Hg Art. and higher is considered elevated and in any case requires a visit to the doctor in order to receive recommendations on taking "Kapoten" or any other antihypertensive agent.