Captopril (Cont.)

Effects of Captopril

A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers -- for example, 120/80. The top number is known as the systolic blood pressure and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. During clinical studies in people taking captopril, both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lowered. The higher the dose of captopril, the greater the drop in blood pressure tended to be. By lowering blood pressure, captopril can also decrease the risks that accompany long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure).
 
For people with congestive heart failure, the effects of captopril on the heart and blood vessels cause a decrease in the symptoms of congestive heart failure, including shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling, along with improved exercise tolerance.
 
Captopril can also decrease the damage to the kidneys in people with diabetic nephropathy. The exact way that this occurs, however, is not completely understood.
 

When and How Do I Take Captopril?

Some general considerations for when and how to take captopril include:
 
  • Captopril comes in tablet form that is usually taken two or three times a day.
  • Captopril should be taken on an empty stomach at least one hour before a meal or two hours after a meal.
  • Do not break, chew, or crush the captopril tablets.
  • Captopril should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level of medicine in your blood.
  • For captopril to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Captopril will not work if you stop taking it.
     

Dosing With Captopril

The dose of captopril that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • The medical condition being treated
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be currently taking.
     
As with any medication, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Captopril Dosing for more information.)
 
(Captopril Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;