Captopril

Synonyms in a broader sense

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors

effect

The blood pressure medication, captopril, is one of the ACE inhibitors and attacks the body's renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which uses various enzymes to regulate the vascular resistance and thus blood pressure. The direct point of attack of the ACE inhibitors is the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), which normally produces angiotensin 2 from angiotensin I.
Due to the action of the ACE inhibitors, the ACE is now hindered in its function, which means that no more angiotensin II is formed. Angiotensin II causes an increase in blood pressure through several mechanisms, so if it is eliminated, the blood pressure is lowered in the course of the effect of these blood pressure medicines.

dosage

Captopril = 12.5 to 75mg
Compared to other ACE inhibitors: Enalapril = 2.5 to 20mg, Fosinopril = 20mg,
The values ​​given relate to the respective target dose per day. You start with a lower dosage, which is gradually increased.

Side effects

As adverse drug reactions can occur in about 10% of cases when taking captopril to cough and at 1 to 3% Taste disorders come. Also a low blood pressure (Hypotension) can occur in 1-3%.
Malfunction of the kidney as well as the liver and skin changes are also among the side effects.
Angioedema (Quink edema), Swelling of skin and Mucous membranes, as well as changes in the blood count (Thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia) are also described as a side effect.

Interactions

Captopril interacts with other antihypertensive agents, so it ultimately becomes an even more greater decrease in blood pressure comes.
On the other hand, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, Ibuprofen) reduce the blood pressure lowering effect of ACE inhibitors.
It also occurs when these blood pressure medications are given interaction With:

• Immunosuppressants
• Cytostatics
• Cortisone
  or
• Allopurinol (Treatment of gout)

Changes in the blood count can occur, and there are also effects from potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics. Simultaneous administration results in an increase in potassium in the body. Finally, there are also interactions with diabetes medication (oral anti-diabetic drugs). When taking both active ingredients, the blood sugar is lowered more intensely and fluctuations in blood sugar can occur.

application areas

ACE inhibitors (Captopril) as blood pressure medication are used at high blood pressure (arterial hypertension), chronic heart failure (chronic heart failure), after a Heart attack just like Kidney disease in a row one Diabetes mellitus (diabetic nephropathy).

Contraindications

For pregnant and breastfeeding women ACE inhibitors contraindicatedbecause they are teratogenic (damaging the embryo) Act.
Furthermore, these blood pressure medications may be used if the renal artery is narrowed (Renal artery stenosis) or the aorta (aortic stenosis) are not prescribed.
Because of the side effects, caution should be exercised if the kidneys are not functioning properly Autoimmune diseases because of the effects that alter the blood count.

Note: lowering blood pressure

It is therefore very important that the patient informs the attending physician of all medications that he takes regularly. This is because a sharp drop in blood pressure can occur if several drugs with antihypertensive effects are taken that are not coordinated with one another. Drugs that lower blood pressure include Beta-lockers, diuretics, sedatives, antidepressants, and alcohol.