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Capoten (Captopril) - Purchase Online
Brand name: Capoten
Generic name: Captopril
Capoten (Captopril tablets) is a specific competitive inhibitor of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), the enzyme responsible for the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. It works by decreasing a chemical that tightens blood vessels. This causes blood vessels to relax (dilate), which lowers blood pressure and decreases the workload on the heart.
Captopril is a white to off-white crystalline powder that may have a slight sulfurous odor; it is soluble in water (approx. 160 mg/ mL), methanol, and ethanol and sparingly soluble in chloroform and ethyl acetate.
Capoten is available in potencies of 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg as scored tablets for oral administration. Inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, corn starch, lactose, and stearic acid.
Capoten is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, heart failure, or certain diabetic kidney problems. It is used to improve survival and decrease heart failure in certain patients after a heart attack. Capoten is indicated in the treatment of congestive heart failure usually in combination with diuretics and digitalis. The beneficial effect of captopril in heart failure does not require the presence of digitalis, however, most controlled clinical trial experience with captopril has been in patients receiving digitalis, as well as diuretic treatment.
Capoten may be used as initial therapy for patients with normal renal function, in whom the risk is relatively low. In patients with impaired renal function, particularly those with collagen vascular disease, captopril should be reserved for hypertensives who have either developed unacceptable side effects on other drugs, or have failed to respond satisfactorily to drug combinations.
Capoten is effective alone and in combination with other anti-hypertensive agents, especially thiazide-type diuretics. The blood pressure lowering effects of captopril and thiazides are approximately additive.
The initial dose of Capoten (captopril tablets) is 25 mg bid or tid. If satisfactory reduction of blood pressure has not been achieved after one or two weeks, the dose may be increased to 50 mg bid or tid. Concomitant sodium restriction may be beneficial when Capoten is used alone.
The dose of Capoten in hypertension usually does not exceed 50 mg tid. Therefore, if the blood pressure has not been satisfactorily controlled after one to two weeks at this dose, (and the patient is not already receiving a diuretic), a modest dose of a thiazide-type diuretic (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide, 25 mg daily), should be added. The diuretic dose may be increased at one to two-week intervals until its highest usual antihypertensive dose is reached.
The adverse effect and pharmacokinetic limitations of Capoten stimulated the development enalapril and subsequent ACE inhibitors. These were specifically designed to lack the sulfhydryl moiety believed to be responsible for rash and taste disturbance (Patchett et al., 1980). Most subsequent ACE inhibitors are given as prodrugs, to improve oral bioavailability. All have a longer half-life and are given once or twice daily, which may improve patient compliance.
Cough is the most common long-therm adverse drug reaction associated with Capoten therapy, as it is with all the ACE inhibitors. Hypotension is also a possible adverse effect, if the dose is too high. Hyperkalemia is possible, due to ACE inhibition reducing aldosterone production.
Before using Capoten, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
Do NOT use Captopril if:
Patients should be advised to immediately report to their physician any signs or symptoms suggesting angioedema (e.g., swelling of face, eyes, lips, tongue, larynx and extremities; difficulty in swallowing or breathing; hoarseness) and to discontinue therapy.
Patients should be told to report promptly any indication of infection (e.g., sore throat, fever), which may be a sign of neutropenia, or of progressive edema which might be related to proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome.
All patients should be cautioned that excessive perspiration and dehydration may lead to an excessive fall in blood pressure because of reduction in fluid volume. Other causes of volume depletion such as vomiting or diarrhea may also lead to a fall in blood pressure; patients should be advised to consult with the physician.
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