A considerable number of people, especially the elderly, are currently suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system. Most of the pathologies, as a rule, cause a significant increase in blood pressure, which, in turn, negatively affects the condition of the whole organism. Therefore, after the diagnosis of arterial hypertension, doctors prescribe drugs to patients that are able to stabilize and improve the patient's condition. ACE inhibitors are considered inexpensive and effective agents. Among them, a drug such as Kapoten is distinguished. Instructions, analogues and reviews about this medication we will consider in detail in our article.
What diseases are prescribed "Kapoten"?
As already mentioned above, doctors prescribe these pills if the patient suffers from high blood pressure. Thus, the main indication for use is arterial hypertension. It should be noted that the drug is also prescribed for renovascular variation of this disease, which occurs due to pathologies of the renal artery, for example, its narrowing. However, it is strictly not recommended to buy pills and take them categorically. Even if you are sure that your blood pressure is elevated, you should always consult your physician before taking it.
Thus, we can conclude that they take pills for pressure. Instructions "Kapoten" also names the following indications for their appointment:
- Heart failure, including chronic. True, it is impossible to completely eliminate the symptoms of this disease and establish the work of the heart with these tablets, so they are prescribed as part of complex therapy.
- Nephropathy, which developed due to the patient’s type 1 diabetes. Tablets are also used only in combination with other drugs.
- Disorders of the left ventricle of the heart, which can appear after myocardial infarction. In this case, tablets can be prescribed in a fully stable condition of the patient.
Release form and packaging
There is only one form of release of this drug - tablets. The Kapoten instruction describes their appearance in detail: they have a square shape with rounded edges to make swallowing easier. These tablets are biconvex in white and sometimes cream in color. On one side there is a characteristic cruciform notch. Pills can have a noticeable smell. The drug is stored for 5 years.
The product is produced exclusively by prescription, so it will not work to buy it at a pharmacy without the appointment of a doctor. Depending on the region, the cost of pills may vary, but on average it is about 200 rubles per pack. Sell "Kapoten" in cardboard packages. They contain blisters for 10 or 14 tablets. In one pack they can be from 2 to 4 pieces.
More on the composition of the drug
The instruction of the medicine "Kapoten" indicates that captopril is its main active ingredient. One tablet, as a rule, contains 25 mg of this drug. It is with its help that a decrease in blood pressure occurs, as well as a vasoconstrictor effect. The maximum effect of captopril is achieved approximately 1-1.5 hours after administration. The substance is absorbed inward through the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, and is excreted from the body along with urine.
However, tablets also contain auxiliary components, for example, microcrystalline cellulose (40 mg), lactose monohydrate (25 mg), corn starch (7 mg) and stearic acid (3 mg).
What contraindications are described in the instructions?
Since the drug has a serious effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system, not all patients can take it. Therefore, before you start taking it, you must always consult your doctor and tell him about all the pathologies you have.
The drug "Kapoten" instructions for use does not recommend appointing in the presence of hypersensitivity to any component included in its composition. If the patient has a history of Quincke's edema after taking ACE inhibitors, then it is necessary to choose another drug. With hereditary or idiopathic angioedema, tablets are also not allowed. Since the composition of the drug includes lactose monohydrate, it can not be taken by people suffering from its intolerance.
The list of contraindications also includes severe violations of the liver and kidneys, since it is with their help that the drug is excreted from the body. This also includes patients who have recently had a kidney transplant. A serious contraindication is refractory hyperkalemia, as well as stenosis of the aortic orifice. The drug is not prescribed in the presence of any obstructive changes that disrupt the work of the left ventricle of the heart.
The instructions "Kapoten" (25 mg) also indicates that with caution it can be taken by older people. It is not recommended to use pills for severe autoimmune diseases, cerebral ischemia, or diabetes.
Can side effects occur when taking the medicine?
When taking almost any drug, unpleasant side effects may occur. Kapoten is no exception. The instructions describe in detail all the symptoms that patients can detect in themselves after starting treatment. As a rule, at the first suspicion, you must definitely stop taking the drug and seek the advice of your doctor. In turn, he can either adjust the dosage, or even prescribe another drug.
The Kapoten instructions (25 mg) describe the following possible side effects:
- Nausea resulting in vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea are the most common symptoms of the digestive system. Patients may also complain of taste disturbances and excessive dry mouth. Anorexia, a stomach ulcer and stomatitis, including aphthous, are much less often diagnosed. In exceptional cases, pancreatitis and glossitis are observed, as well as serious violations of the liver, which can lead to the development of cholestasis and hepatitis.
- From the side of the cardiovascular system, side effects can occur in the form of arrhythmia or tachycardia, a feeling of a strong and rapid heartbeat. Less commonly, patients complain of flushing or severe pallor. An excessive decrease in blood pressure is sometimes observed. In individual cases, cardiac arrest was detected, as well as cardiogenic shock.
- Quite often, patients while taking the medicine have drowsiness, increased fatigue, dizziness and insomnia. Patients complain of other disorders of the nervous system. For example, frequent headaches, confusion, the appearance of depression. Less often diagnosed with blurred vision, circulatory disorders of the brain, which, in turn, can lead to the development of a stroke.
- Severe shortness of breath and dry cough are common side effects that occur on the part of the respiratory system. Very rarely, patients complain of bronchospasm and rhinitis. Doctors sometimes diagnose eosinophilic pneumonitis and even pulmonary edema.
- The hematopoietic system can also negatively react to taking the drug. In these rare cases, patients are diagnosed with anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and other disorders.
- Since the drug is excreted in the urine, various disorders of the kidneys and other organs of the urinary system often appear. Most often diagnosed with frequent urination, polyuria or oliguria. Very rarely, taking a remedy can lead to kidney failure.
Do not forget about the possible occurrence of allergic reactions after the start of taking "Kapoten". The instructions indicate that most often patients complain of skin itching, as well as the appearance of rashes on the skin. Some people have noticed alopecia, that is, baldness. Moreover, in rare cases, serious allergic reactions may occur, including Quincke's edema, affecting the face, pharynx and larynx, limbs and even the intestines. In this case, you must immediately stop taking the drug and immediately seek medical help.
The drug "Kapoten": dosage and instructions for use
As a rule, the dosage regimen (especially in the elderly) is prescribed individually by the attending physician. At the same time, tablets must be taken 1 hour before a meal, since simultaneous intake with food worsens the absorption of the active substance by 30-60%. The pill needs to be washed down with a small amount of clean water. The tablet can be divided in half, but it is not recommended to bite or chew it.
Many patients are wondering how to take Kapoten. The instruction indicates that the dosage and number of doses depends on the specific pathology. So, with arterial hypertension, doctors prescribe half a tablet, which must be taken twice a day. This is the minimum dosage, which, if necessary, begins to increase a few weeks after the start of administration in order to achieve the greatest effect. In the treatment of moderate hypertension, one tablet (25 mg) is prescribed in the morning and evening. In this case, it is important that the maximum dosage does not exceed 50 mg per day. However, in severe forms of hypertension, doctors gradually increase the dose to 150 mg per day. Thus, the patient will have to take two tablets three times a day.
For the treatment of chronic heart failure, a lower dosage is usually used. Instructions "Kapoten" indicates that it is recommended to start taking with 1/4 tablet (6.25 mg of active substance) in the morning, afternoon and evening. Also, after two weeks, doctors can increase the dose if they find out that the minimum did not bring the desired effect. As a rule, patients take one whole tablet in the morning, afternoon and evening. The maximum dose in this case should not exceed 150 mg.
For the treatment of disorders of the left ventricle of the heart that appeared after a heart attack, a minimum dosage of 6.25 mg of active substance (1/4 tablet) is prescribed. In this case, you can take the drug three days after a heart attack, if the patient is in a stable condition. If the drug is well tolerated, then the dose begins to gradually increase. As a rule, it varies from 37.5 mg and can even reach 75 mg per day. Sometimes the dosage can be increased to a maximum of 150 mg.
It is worth noting that often the drug is prescribed to older people with high blood pressure. Instructions "Kapoten" describes a different order of taking the pills, as patients aged recommend a lower dosage. It is selected individually. Usually, doctors start therapy with a minimum dose of 6.25 mg, which is taken twice a day. At the same time, they try not to increase the dosage in the presence of a positive effect from the intake.
Special instructions that you need to read before starting
Before prescribing treatment, you should also familiarize yourself with the specific instructions that are described in detail by the Kapoten instruction. At what pressure do experts recommend taking this drug? Only with increased, since it has a vasoconstrictor effect. In addition, before taking it, it is recommended to check the functioning of the kidneys, as well as monitor them throughout the course of treatment. Patients suffering from chronic heart failure use the drug only under the strict supervision of their physician or cardiologist.
With prolonged use, 1/5 of all patients have an increase in the concentration of urea and creatinine. In some cases, severe nephropathy may develop, in which it is recommended that pill therapy be discontinued. Sometimes with constant use, an unproductive dry cough may appear. It completely stops after the end of the course of treatment.
Experts also recommend monitoring the level of white blood cells in all patients who take pills for a long time. This should be done regularly during the first three months of therapy, then tests should be taken once every two months.
Due to the risk of dizziness after taking the pill, patients are advised to refuse to drive vehicles during treatment, as well as any other activity that requires an increased concentration of attention.
What are the consequences of an overdose of pills?
The instructions of Kapoten indicate that it is strongly not recommended to exceed the dosage recommended by the doctor, as this can lead to a significant decrease in blood pressure and other serious consequences. In addition to hypotension, the patient is diagnosed with a shock condition, bradycardia, and kidney failure also develops.
If the patient has taken more tablets than should, then he urgently needs to see a doctor. In case of an overdose, gastric lavage is prescribed. Then it is necessary to introduce sodium sulfate and adsorbents to the patient, hemodialysis is also recommended.
Can pregnant women and young children take this medicine?
This drug has a rather serious effect on all body systems, so it is contraindicated for use by pregnant women, especially in the first trimester. In addition, experts found that prolonged use of tablets can provoke impaired renal function in the developing fetus. A newborn may develop arterial hypotension and renal failure. If a pregnant woman still took this drug, then she definitely needs to do an ultrasound scan to assess the condition of the fetal organs.
Tablets should not be drunk when breastfeeding, since approximately 1% of the active substance is excreted in breast milk. For young children and adolescents, the drug is also not prescribed, since doctors still have not figured out its safety and effectiveness.
Learn more about interactions with other drugs.
With caution recommends the use of other medicines instructions for the use of "Kapoten." At what pressure is it prescribed? As you already know, with increased, therefore, the simultaneous use of drugs having the opposite effect is contraindicated. Also, with caution and only under the supervision of the attending physician, along with Kapoten, diuretics, vasodilators, preparations containing lithium or insulin, hypoglycemic agents, as well as immunosuppressants are simultaneously taken.
Does Kapoten have any analogues?
There are a huge number of ACE inhibitors, which by their principle of action are analogues of Kapoten. The instruction, however, indicates that it is impossible to change one medication to another without the permission of the attending physician, since each remedy has its own contraindications and side effects. In addition, Kapoten analogs are isolated that contain the same active substance. We list the main ones:
- Captopril;
- Angiopril
- Epsitron
- Blockordil
- Catopil.
Positive drug reviews
Both the reviews and the Kapoten instructions call this drug an effective remedy that can be used for emergency pressure reduction. Patients, describing the benefits of the drug, indicate its speed and high efficiency. A significant plus, in their opinion, is also good tolerance. Patients undergoing a long course of treatment say that they did not notice the appearance of any unpleasant side effects or worsening well-being. A low price is another advantage, since the drug is prescribed most often to the elderly, who can not always afford expensive drugs. With arterial hypertension, patients recommend that they always carry these pills with them, since they can quickly reduce the jumped pressure and alleviate the patient’s condition in just a few minutes.
Negative reviews
However, the drug also has significant shortcomings, because of which many patients decided to stop taking this drug and chose another medicine for themselves. For example, even the instruction "Kapoten" indicates the risk of allergic reactions. Patient reviews confirm this information, describing that some people have itchy skin and even Quincke's edema. Another serious drawback is a strong dry cough, which usually appears at night, which makes it very difficult to sleep.
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