Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? Yes
- Available as generic? No
- Drug class: Antihypertensive, ACE inhibitor
Uses
Treatment for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid. Instructions to take on empty
stomach mean 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
When to take:
At the same times each day, usually 2-3 times daily. Take
first dose at bedtime and lie down immediately.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than
2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Reduces resistance in arteries.
Strengthens heartbeat.
Time lapse before drug works:
60 to 90 minutes.
Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
Low blood pressure, fever, chills, sore throat, fainting,
convulsions, coma.
WHAT TO DO:
- Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance
or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
- See EMERGENCY Information.
Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Life-threatening:
Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency itching, faintness treatment
immediately. soon after a dose (anaphylaxis); difficulty breathing.
Common:
Infrequent:
- Swelling of mouth, face, hands or feet.
- Dizziness, fainting, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat,
coughing, confusion, nervousness, numbness and tingling
in hands or feet.
- Diarrhea, headache, tiredness.
Rare:
- Sore throat, cloudy urine, fever, chills.
- Nausea, vomiting, indigestion, abdominal pain.
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
- You are allergic to captopril, enalapril or lisinopril.
- You are receiving blood from a blood bank.
- You will have surgery within 2 months, including dental
surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
- If you have had a stroke.
- If you have angina or heart or blood vessel disease.
- If you have any autoimmune disease, including AIDS or
lupus.
- If you have high level of potassium in blood.
- If you have kidney or liver disease.
- If you are on severe salt-restricted diet.
- If you have a bone marrow disorder.
Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and
severe than in younger persons.
Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.
Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until
you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining
milk supply.
Infants & children:
Use under close medical supervision only.
Prolonged use:
- May decrease white cells in blood or cause protein loss
in urine.
- Request periodic laboratory blood counts and urine tests.
Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you become dizzy or faint. Otherwise, no problems
expected.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require
gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time.
Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.
Others:
- Stop taking diuretics or increase salt intake 1 week before
starting any ACE inhibitor.
- Avoid exercising in hot weather.
- May affect results in some medical tests.
- Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you
take this medicine.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
