Generic Capoten controls high blood pressure (hypertension) by relaxing blood vessels.
High blood pressure levels can damage your kidneys, and may lead to a stroke or heart failure.

Generic Capoten also can help to treat heart failure (when heart does not pump strongly enough) and certain kidney disorders.

Some doctors also prescribe Generic Capoten for angina pectoris (crushing chest pain), Raynaud's phenomenon (a disorder of the blood vessels that causes the fingers to turn white when exposed to cold), and rheumatoid arthritis.

Angiotensin II also acts on the kidney to reduce the amount of urine formed.

As Generic Capoten stops the production of angiotensin II, these actions are reversed. Therefore more urine is produced by the kidneys, which results in less fluid in the blood vessels. The blood vessels also widen.

These effects are useful in the treatment of high blood pressure. Generic Capoten is also used in the treatment of heart failure, where the pumping action of the heart has become less effective.

ACE inhibitors have also been shown to improve survival following a heart attack, and to reduce the risk of further heart attacks.

Take capoten exactly as prescribed. Stopping capoten suddenly could cause your blood pressure to increase.

ADULTS
High Blood Pressure
The usual starting dose of capoten is 25 milligrams taken 2 or 3 times a day. If you have any problems with your kidneys or suffer from other major health problems, your starting dose may be lower. Depending on how your blood pressure responds, your doctor may increase your dose later, up to a total of 150 milligrams 2 or 3 times a day. The maximum recommended daily dose is 450 milligrams.

Heart Failure
For most people, the usual dose of capoten is 25 milligrams taken 3 times a day. A daily dosage of 450 milligrams should not be exceeded.

After a Heart Attack
The usual starting dose of capoten is 6.25 milligrams, taken once, followed by 12.5 milligrams 3 times a day. Your doctor will increase the dose over the next several days to 25 milligrams taken 3 times a day and then, over the next several weeks, to 50 milligrams 3 times a day.

Kidney Disease in Diabetes
The usual dose of capoten is 25 milligrams taken 3 times a day.

CHILDREN
The safety and effectiveness of capoten in children have not been established.

If you miss a capoten dose
Take the missed dose of capoten as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of capoten.

capoten Overdose
If you suspect an overdose of capoten, seek medical attention immediately.

Light-headedness or dizziness due to a sudden drop in blood pressure is the primary effect of a capoten overdose

capoten Storage instructions
Keep capoten out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store capoten at a temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any capoten after the expiration date.

Preparations of capoten: Tablets -12.5mg, 25mg, 50mg

People taking high doses of diuretics (e.g. frusemide) should have their diuretic dose reduced or stopped before starting Generic Capoten, to reduce the risk of a profound fall in blood pressure.

Generic Capoten reduces the ability of the body to remove lithium, which may give rise to increased lithium levels.

When taken with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as indometacin, the blood pressure lowering effect of Generic Capoten may be reduced.

If taken with potassium sparing diuretics, potassium supplements or potassium-containing salt substitutes, there is an increased risk of raised blood potassium (hyperkalaemia). Frequent monitoring of blood potassium is required.

When taken with insulin or oral antidiabetic medicines there may be an enhanced blood sugar lowering effect, resulting in very low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). Blood sugar should be monitored in diabetics starting treatment with Generic Capoten.

The use of Generic Capoten with diuretics, cyclosporine or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the risk of kidney problems and alterations to the potassium balance.

In the presence of probenecid, less Generic Capoten is removed by the kidneys.

Neutropenia and Stevens-Johnson syndrome have been reported when Generic Capoten is taken with allopurinol or procainamide. These combinations should be used with caution, especially in patients with impaired kidney function.

There may be an increased risk of a low white cell count (leucopenia) when Generic Capoten is taken with allopurinol, anti-cancer medicines, medicines that suppress the immune system, corticosteroids or procainamide. Regular blood monitoring is required.

The blood pressure lowering effects of Generic Capoten may be delayed if a switch is made from clonidine to Generic Capoten.

Special Information on Generic Capoten

Most Important Fact about Generic Capoten

Generic Capoten should be taken regularly to be effective in high blood pressure. Since blood pressure declines gradually, it may be several weeks before you get the full benefit of Generic Capoten, so you must continue taking it even if you are feeling well. Generic Capoten does not cure high blood pressure; it merely keeps it under control.

Generic Capoten precautions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Do not take Generic Capoten if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, Generic Capoten can cause injury to, and even death of, the developing baby. Notify your doctor immediately if you think you might be pregnant.

Special warnings about Generic Capoten

Some people may experience dizziness caused by low blood pressure in the first few days of taking Generic Capoten. This can be relieved by lying down until the symptoms pass. If affected you should avoid performing potentially hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinery.

If you experience any signs of infection while taking Generic Capoten, such as flu-like symptoms, high temperature (fever), sore throat or inflammation of the lining of the mouth (stomatitis), you should tell your doctor immediately.

Alcohol may enhance the blood pressure lowering effect of Generic Capoten, which may result in dizziness or fainting.

Generic Capoten is not recommended for the treatment of mild to moderate high blood pressure in children.

Kidney function should be monitored prior to starting and regularly throughout treatment. This is particularly important in people with kidney disease, when monitoring is recommended every month for the first nine months of treatment.

It is recommended that people also taking medicines which suppress the immune system, and those with connective tissue diseases, should have blood tests to monitor their blood count every 2 weeks for the first 3 months of therapy and regularly thereafter.

Why Generic Capoten should not be prescribed?

Do not take Generic Capoten if you have ever had an allergy to Generic Capoten or any of its additives, or to another ACE inhibitor.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction to Generic Capoten may include

• shortness of breath,
• wheezing or difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat

Do not take Generic Capoten if you have had a heart attack, heart failure, ischemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disease.

Do not take Generic Capoten if you have kidney disease, a single kidney or are undergoing dialysis

Do not Generic Capoten if you have a liver disease now or had in the past.

Do not take Generic Capoten if you are dehydrated, or have had a recent bout of vomiting or diarrhea or are taking a diuretic medicine (water tablets)

Special Information on Generic Capoten

Most Important Fact about Generic Capoten

Generic Capoten should be taken regularly to be effective in high blood pressure. Since blood pressure declines gradually, it may be several weeks before you get the full benefit of Generic Capoten, so you must continue taking it even if you are feeling well. Generic Capoten does not cure high blood pressure; it merely keeps it under control.

Generic Capoten precautions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Do not take Generic Capoten if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, Generic Capoten can cause injury to, and even death of, the developing baby. Notify your doctor immediately if you think you might be pregnant.

Special warnings about Generic Capoten
Some people may experience dizziness caused by low blood pressure in the first few days of taking Generic Capoten. This can be relieved by lying down until the symptoms pass. If affected you should avoid performing potentially hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinery.

If you experience any signs of infection while taking Generic Capoten, such as flu-like symptoms, high temperature (fever), sore throat or inflammation of the lining of the mouth (stomatitis), you should tell your doctor immediately.

Alcohol may enhance the blood pressure lowering effect of Generic Capoten, which may result in dizziness or fainting.

Generic Capoten is not recommended for the treatment of mild to moderate high blood pressure in children.

Kidney function should be monitored prior to starting and regularly throughout treatment. This is particularly important in people with kidney disease, when monitoring is recommended every month for the first nine months of treatment.

It is recommended that people also taking medicines which suppress the immune system, and those with connective tissue diseases, should have blood tests to monitor their blood count every 2 weeks for the first 3 months of therapy and regularly thereafter.

Why Generic Capoten should not be prescribed?

Do not take Generic Capoten if you have ever had an allergy to Generic Capoten or any of its additives, or to another ACE inhibitor.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to Generic Capoten may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
Do not take Generic Capoten if you have had a heart attack, heart failure, ischemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disease.
Do not take Generic Capoten if you have kidney disease, a single kidney or are undergoing dialysis
Do not take Generic Capoten if you have a liver disease now or had in the past.
Do not take Generic Capoten if you are dehydrated, or have had a recent bout of vomiting or diarrhea or are taking a diuretic medicine (water tablets)