Captopril comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken two or three times a day on an empty stomach,
1 hour before a meal
. To help you remember to take captopril, take it around the same time(s) every day.
Why is captopril taken before meals?
Captopril is best given on an empty stomach, half an hour before food, to increase effectiveness. Usually your child will be given a test dose of Captopril under medical supervision before commencing regular dosing. This is to ensure that
Captopril doesn’t cause very low blood pressure
.
When should you not take captopril?
Aliskiren is a high blood pressure drug that may increase your risk of low blood pressure levels, high potassium levels, and kidney problems if you take it with captopril. You shouldn’t take it with captopril if you
have diabetes or kidney problems
.
Why is captopril taken at night?
Captopril administered at night
restores the diurnal blood pressure rhythm in adequately controlled
, nondipping hypertensives. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther.
What should you avoid when taking captopril?
It is recommended that if you are taking captopril you should be advised to avoid
moderately high or high potassium dietary intake
. This can cause high levels of potassium in your blood. Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking captopril, unless your doctor has told you to.
What is the main side effect of captopril?
SIDE EFFECTS:
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or loss of taste
may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. Dry cough may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Can I take captopril after meal?
Captopril comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken two or three times a day on an empty stomach,
1 hour before a meal
. To help you remember to take captopril, take it around the same time(s) every day.
How long does it take captopril to work?
In most patients, the antihypertensive effect began
about 15 to 30 minutes
after oral administration of captopril; the peak effect was achieved after 60 to 90 minutes. The maximum reduction in blood pressure of a defined captopril dose was generally visible after three to four weeks.
Does captopril affect heart rate?
Captopril caused
a decrease in heart rate in 18 patients
but an increase in 2 patients. In the remaining 68, heart rate did not change. As a whole captopril caused a significant decrease in blood pressure without compensatory increase in heart rate.
What should I check before giving captopril?
Your blood pressure will need to be checked
often, and you may need frequent blood tests. Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking captopril. This medication can cause false results with certain medical tests.
Can you take captopril at night?
Your doctor may advise you to take your very first dose at bedtime
. This is because you may feel dizzy when you first start taking captopril. After this first dose, you can generally take captopril at a time of day you find easy to remember (for most people, this is in the morning).
What is captopril used to treat?
Captopril is used to treat
high blood pressure (hypertension)
. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. It is also used to treat heart failure, protect the kidneys from harm due to diabetes, and to improve survival after a heart attack.
How does captopril lower BP?
Captopril works by blocking a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to tighten. As a result,
the blood vessels relax
. This lowers blood pressure and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. Captopril is also used to help treat heart failure.
How effective is captopril?
Captopril was withdrawn in 3 patients for not achieving satisfactory BP control and/or because of side effects. It is concluded that
captopril is safe and effective in the long-term treatment of hypertension
, however, majority of the patients with severe forms of hypertension required double or multiple combinations.
What food can cause interaction with captopril?
Captopril Interactions with Food and Herbs
Potassium Rich Foods: Captopril has the capacity to increase potassium level in the blood. High levels of potassium can lead to irregular heartbeat. It is better to avoid potassium-rich foods like
bananas, oranges and green leafy vegetables
when you are on captopril.
How can I lower my blood pressure in minutes?
If your blood pressure is elevated and you want to see an immediate change,
lie down and take deep breaths
. This is how you lower your blood pressure within minutes, helping to slow your heart rate and decrease your blood pressure. When you feel stress, hormones are released that constrict your blood vessels.
