Capoten is an antihypertensive (blood pressure lowering agent) known as an ACE inhibitor.

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.

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

Some doctors also prescribe Capoten for angina pectoris (crushing chest pain), Raynaud s phenomenon (a disorder of

Capoten belongs to a group of medicines called ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors. ACE inhibitors are powerful vasodilators, that is, they widen blood vessels. They act by blocking the action of an enzyme in the bloodstream that is responsible for converting a chemical called angiotensin I into angiotensin II. Angiotensin II encourages the narrowing of blood vessels and its absence permits them to widen.

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

As Capoten stops the production of angiotensin II,

Capoten should be taken 1 hour before meals. If you are taking an antacid such as Mylanta, take it 2 hours prior to Capoten.

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

Capoten when taken with other medicines that decrease blood pressure there is a risk of a large fall in blood pressure, particularly with the first dose.

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

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

Most Important Fact about Capoten
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 Capoten , so you must continue taking it even if you are feeling well. Capoten does not cure high blood pressure; it merely keeps it under control.

Capoten precautions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Do not take Capoten if you are pregnant or could become pregnant

More common side effects of Capoten may include:

• itching,
• loss of taste,
• low blood pressure,
• rash

Less common side effects of Capoten may include:

• abdominal pain,
• anemia,
• angina pectoris (severe chest pain),
• blisters,
• blurred vision,
• breast development in males,
• cardiac arrest,
• changes in heart rhythm,
• chest pain,
• confusion,
• constipation,
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