"Captopril": instructions for use, indications, analogues, reviews

What pressure is Captopril prescribed for? This is a common question. We will understand it in more detail.

Captopril is a tablet that has a blood pressure lowering property. This is one of the drugs that you need to have in a medicine cabinet at home, especially for people suffering from hypertension. The drug is intended for regular use in order to maintain a normal level of pressure, and for taking it from time to time during an attack of hypertension.

We will talk about how much Captopril acts through a little later. And you can take it only as prescribed by the doctor, since only a specialist can correctly choose the dosage necessary in each individual case. Uncontrolled intake of the drug can lead to serious health complications.

In this article, we will consider in detail the instructions for use of Captopril, its composition, properties, indications and contraindications, as well as analogues and reviews.

Structure

The drug is made in the form of tablets, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 100 pieces in one package. Its main active ingredient is captopril. The following components are presented as additional substances:

• corn starch;
• lactose;
• hydrogenated castor oil;
• anhydrous colloidal silicon dioxide.

To take Captopril, the testimony must be strictly observed. It is produced in different dosages, at 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg, respectively.

The properties

The decrease in pressure in the arteries is ensured by competitive inhibition of ACE activity, which reduces the rate of conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. As a result, the vasoconstrictor effect of ACE is inhibited.

Due to the vasodilating effect of Captopril, there is a decrease in total vascular resistance at the periphery, pressure enters the cycle in the capillaries of the lungs and pulmonary vessels. Thanks to the drug, endurance to loads and cardiac output increases. How does Captopril work?

Prolonged use of tablets reduces the intensity of myocardial death and destruction of the arterial walls. In addition, the drug helps to improve myocardial circulation in coronary artery disease and reduce platelet aggregation.

Indications

According to the instructions for use, Captopril is prescribed for the treatment of hypertension, that is, high blood pressure. The active component of the drug relaxes the blood vessels, dilates them and thus prevents the development of a heart attack or stroke.

The drug is also prescribed to patients in the rehabilitation period after suffering a heart attack, to provide kidney protection for patients with diabetes mellitus, as well as as part of a therapeutic regimen in the treatment of heart failure.

The medicine "Captopril" has several advantages:

• antioxidant properties;
• low cost (about 11 rubles per package);
• high efficiency in reducing pressure in the arteries;
• It is suitable for the treatment of elderly patients.

Indications "Captopril" are indicated in the instructions.

Contraindications

Patients should definitely study what indications and contraindications exist for the use of Captopril. So, it is not recommended if the patient has:

1. Arterial hypotension.
2. Gestational period.
3. The period of breastfeeding.
4. Cardiogenic shock.
5. Violation of the activity of the liver of a pronounced nature.
6. Stenosis of the aortic orifice, mitral stenosis and other diseases that prevent the outflow of blood from the cardiac left ventricle.
7. Children under 18 years old. Clinical data on the effectiveness, and most importantly the safety of taking the drug in children, are absent.

In addition, contraindications to Captopril may be as follows:

1. Individual intolerance to captopril or other substances that make up the drug, as well as ACE inhibitors.
2. Edema of the angioneurotic type, including a genetically determined history or developed with the use of ACE inhibitors.
3. Impaired renal function, azotemia, renal artery stenosis, primary hyperaldosteronism, hyperkalemia, kidney transplantation.

All this is confirmed by the instructions for use available for Captopril.

Careful reception

The following categories of patients should be under mandatory supervision of a specialist during the treatment period:

1. Elderly people.
2. Hemodialysis patients.
3. Persons on a special diet with a low sodium intake.
4. Those who have been diagnosed with severe autoimmune pathology, including scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus.
5. Patients with cerebral ischemia and coronary heart disease.
6. Suffering from diabetes.
7. Patients with suppressed bone marrow circulation.
8. Persons in a state where there is a decrease in the volume of blood circulating in the body, manifested by vomiting and diarrhea.
9. Chronic heart failure.

If pregnancy occurs during treatment, the drug should be discontinued.

Instruction manual

In accordance with the instructions for use, Captopril should be drunk one hour before eating. The duration of administration and the dosage regimen are determined by the attending physician individually. The dosage of the tablets is selected depending on the chosen treatment regimen. There are standard dosage regimens for Captopril:

1. In case of heart failure of a chronic type, the drug is prescribed in cases where treatment with diuretics did not give the expected result. At the initial stage of therapy, 6.25 mg is prescribed twice or thrice a day. Then, every few weeks, a single dosage increases. On average, the prophylactic dosage is 25 mg, also two to three times a day. In some cases, this dosage is increased with an interval of 2 weeks. The maximum allowable daily dosage of Captopril is 150 mg.
2. For the treatment of arterial hypertension, it is required to use 25 mg twice a day at the initial stage of therapy. If necessary, the dosage is gradually added until the maximum therapeutic effect of taking the drug is achieved. In cases of mild or moderate severity of hypertension, the standard maintenance dosage will be 50 mg twice daily. In severe cases of the disease, 50 mg is prescribed three times a day. The maximum possible daily dosage is the same as in the case of heart failure - 150 mg. What Captopril helps from, now we know.
3. If the patient has a history of mild renal impairment, 75-100 mg per day is prescribed. The pronounced course of the pathology will require 12.5-25 mg at the initial stage of treatment with a further increase in dosage with long intervals.
4. For elderly patients, the dosage of “Captopril” is selected taking into account individual characteristics. Specialists are advised to start treatment with 6.25 mg twice a day. It is advisable to maintain this dosage without increasing. In some cases, other loop-type diuretics are prescribed instead of thiazide ones.

Often patients are interested in how to use Captopril correctly - under the tongue or swallow? The remedy laid under the tongue is absorbed faster and begins to act, but this method of taking the drug should be agreed in advance with your doctor.

Side effects

Side effects of “Captopril” are manifested in all different ways. They can become:

• Allergic reactions: itching and skin rashes, photosensitivity.
• Reduced blood pressure, swelling of the lower extremities, tachycardia, accompanied by increased heart rate.
• Spasm of the bronchi, pulmonary edema, dry cough, passing after the drug is withdrawn.
• Orthostatic hypotension. It is expressed in a sharp drop in pressure in the arteries when changing the position of the patient’s body, for example, when getting up from a lying or sitting position. It is accompanied by dizziness and fainting (as you see, the side effects of Captopril are rather unpleasant).
• Limb sensitivity disorder, impaired coordination of movements or ataxia, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, decreased visual acuity.
• Dry mouth, a change in taste, nausea, loss of appetite, inflammation in the oral mucosa, diarrhea, pain in the abdomen, increased bilirubin and liver enzyme activity, hepatitis.
• Neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis. Laboratory research indicators: sodium deficiency in the blood, hyperkalemia, acidosis, that is, a violation of the balance of the acid-base environment of the body.

Overdose

The main sign of Captopril overdose is an excessive decrease in pressure in the arteries. In this case, there is a risk of myocardial infarction, collapse, circulatory disorders in the brain, as well as thromboembolic complications.

In case of an overdose, the patient must be laid on a horizontal surface, raise his legs. It is necessary to normalize blood pressure and relieve the symptoms of Captopril overdose. In some cases, hemodialysis may be required.

Special recommendations

Before you start taking, you need to carefully read the instructions that came with the drug. According to her, it is necessary to remember the following rules:

1. Periodic laboratory tests during treatment with the drug. Particular attention should be paid to the number of leukocytes. During the first 3 months of treatment, blood should be taken for analysis every 4 weeks, then the break is increased to once every 2 months.
2. To prevent a sharp decrease in pressure in the arteries while taking Captopril, it is necessary to stop taking diuretics a week before the start of therapy or to reduce their dosage to a minimum. If there are signs of hypotension, you need to lay the person and raise his legs so that they are above the head. So lie from half an hour to an hour. With severe hypotension, a sterile saline solution is administered intravenously to the patient.
3. In the case when against the background of taking “Captopril” angioedema occurs, it is necessary to consult a doctor. If the edema is localized on the face, then it will be necessary to take antihistamines without specific therapy. If there is a chance of developing airway obstruction, that is, swelling of the larynx, pharynx, or tongue occurs, 0.5 ml of adrenaline is injected subcutaneously.
4. If the patient has a history of impaired renal function, Captopril is prescribed with increased precautions. The same rule applies to the combination of the drug with immunosuppressants, allopurinol, procainamide, patients with systemic vasculitis, diffuse pathologies of connective tissues, etc.

If the patient's activity requires an increased concentration and reaction rate, caution should be exercised during the period of use of the drug, since it affects the psychomotor reactions.

Interaction with other drugs

What “Captopril” helps from, we examined above. But when taking the drug, it should be borne in mind that it can interact with other drugs:

• Immunosuppressants and cytostatics increase the risk of leukopenia.
• Potassium-sparing diuretics, salt substitutes and potassium-containing dietary supplements and potassium preparations are capable of provoking hyperkalemia. This is due to the fact that ACE inhibitors reduce the concentration of aldosterone, increasing the potassium content in the body as a result of its limited excretion and excessive intake.
• Concomitant use with ACE inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can provoke a violation in the functioning of the kidneys. Captopril compatibility must be taken into account here.
• Reception with loop and thiazide diuretics can lead to severe arterial hypotension, which is especially pronounced at the first dose. This combination enhances the action of Captopril.
• In combination with anesthesia, the drug can cause severe arterial hypotension.
• Azathioprine can provoke anemia, which occurs due to inhibition of erythropoietin activity under the influence of ACE inhibitors and azathioprine.
• Allopurinol increases the likelihood of hematologic diseases. In medicine, cases of hypersensitivity to such combinations, up to Stevens-Johnson syndrome, have been reported.
• Aluminum hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide reduce the bioavailability of captopril.
• Acetylsalicylic acid reduces the antihypertensive effect of captopril. At the moment, it is not known exactly how acetylsalicylic acid affects ACE inhibitors in patients suffering from coronary heart disease or heart failure. The interaction of drugs in this case directly depends on the course of the disease. Acetylsalicylic acid can cause vasoconstriction, which leads to a decrease in cardiac output and exacerbates the condition of patients with heart failure who take ACE inhibitors.
• The concentration of digoxin in plasma increases with the use of ACE inhibitors. Particularly high risk in patients with renal failure.
• The antihypertensive effect of captopril is reduced while taking with ibuprofen and indomethacin.
• When taken with hypoglycemic agents and insulin, hypoglycemia may occur, as glucose tolerance increases.
• Interferon alpha-2a and interferon beta can trigger the development of severe granulocytopenia.
• Interleukin-3 increases the risk of developing arterial hypotension.
• The transition from Clonidine to Captopril is accompanied by a gradual build-up of antihypertensive action. During the transition, a sharp increase in pressure in the arteries is possible.
• Lithium carbonate increases the concentration of lithium in the blood, which is accompanied by jumps in blood pressure.

Analogs

Captopril has a fairly large number of analogues. However, despite the similar composition, the concentration of active substances in all preparations is different. Therefore, if necessary, replace one drug with another, you should consult your doctor to avoid unwanted reactions and complications. Consider several analogues of Captopril.

“Coramin” is indicated for restoration of heart function in case of ischemia, hypertension, myocardial infarction, intense physical exertion and the influence of various negative factors on the body. The drug is not contraindicated in old age and is prescribed to support cardiac activity. To increase the effectiveness of "Coramine", the drug is prescribed in conjunction with "Vasalamin."

“Verapamil” is intended for the treatment of Prinzmetal angina, arterial hypertension, blinking and tachycardia, atrial flutter. Dosage is selected individually by a specialist. The standard initial dose of the drug is from 40 to 80 mg. thrice a day. Side effects of the drug are: headache, dizziness, fainting, chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, drowsiness, nausea, constipation and increased appetite, rashes and itching, swelling of the face, tremor of the fingers, difficulty swallowing, etc.

"Adelphan." The main indication of the drug is hypertension. Suitable for the treatment of essential hypertension, when the cause of the disease is not identified. The duration of administration and dosage are determined by the doctor. Subject to the prescribed dosage regimen, adverse reactions are excluded. In some cases, weakness, headache, fatigue, depression and insomnia are possible.

The analogue of “Captopril” “Talliton” is taken with essential treatment. Relieves the patient’s condition with chronic heart failure and angina pectoris. Side effects include bronchitis, pneumonia, pulmonary edema and asthma, as well as dizziness and headache, anemia, insomnia, constipation, etc.

"Ebrantil" is taken for hypertensive crisis, arterial hypertension in severe and refractory form. With prolonged use, symptoms such as arrhythmia, nephropathy, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and vomiting may develop.

Nefrox is intended for the treatment of hyperazotemic nephritis, renal failure, azotemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, etc. In addition, the use of Nephrox as a prophylactic is allowed. Long-term use can cause nausea, flatulence, insomnia, and allergic reactions.

"Cardiophyte" is indicated for tachycardia of a paroxysmal supraventricular type. The drug is part of the complex therapy of ischemia, hypertension and angina pectoris.

The analogue of Captopril - Aterophyton - lowers cholesterol and strengthens blood vessels, increasing their elasticity. The drug is a source of biologically active components that prevent damage to the vascular walls that occurs with atherosclerosis. It can be taken as a prophylactic for hypertension, atherosclerosis, thrombophlebitis and heart failure.

Reviews of doctors about Captopril

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If there are signs of at least one reaction to the drug, you should stop taking it and consult a doctor. Many older people report that Captopril helps them cope with hypertension. It should not be forgotten that in this case the minimum dosage is used. However, some reviews say that taking the drug on an ongoing basis is not recommended. He is able to quickly reduce pressure during a sharp jump or during a hypertensive crisis.

For the treatment of hypertension in the reviews it is proposed to use other means that are safer and lower the pressure gradually, without sharp fluctuations.

Many positive reviews from patients with heart failure. They take Captopril on an ongoing basis and note a significant improvement in their health status.

But many reviews warn against self-medication. An improperly selected dosage can cause serious side effects. It is for this reason that the drug is dispensed only by prescription, which excludes its independent administration.

We hope that now the question of what pressure Captopril is prescribed for will turn out to be closed to you.