Side Effects of Captopril

Common side effects of captopril include unexplained rash, itching, or cough. Other less common side effects that occur in less than 2 percent of patients taking the medication may include diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, and headache. Seek medical attention immediately if you develop serious captopril side effects, such as wheezing, fainting spells, or unexplained swelling of the head or neck.

Side Effects of Captopril: An Introduction

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with captopril (Capoten®). However, not everyone who takes the medicine will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the drug quite well. If side effects do occur, in many cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
About 5 percent of people with high blood pressure and about 7 percent of people with congestive heart failure stop taking captopril because of side effects.
 
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with captopril. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of captopril side effects with you.)
 

Common Captopril Side Effects

Captopril has been studied extensively in clinical trials, with thousands of people worldwide being evaluated.
 In these studies, side effects are always documented and compared to those that occurred in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. Based on these studies, the most common side effects of captopril included:
 
  • Unexplained rash -- up to 7 percent
  • Decreased or loss of taste -- up to 4 percent
  • Cough -- up to 2 percent (see Captopril Cough).
     
Other captopril side effects (occurring in more than 2 percent of people with high blood pressure or heart failure) included:
 
  • Itching
  • Protein in the urine
  • Skin flushing
  • Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
  • Chest pain
  • Heart palpitations
  • Decrease in blood cells used to fight infections.
     
Side Effects of Captopril Article Continues on Next Page >
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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