Captopril

Captopril is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It decreases certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels, so blood flows more smoothly and the heart can pump blood more efficiently. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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 or 2 hours after a meal. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take captopril exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Captopril controls high blood pressure and heart failure but does not cure them. Continue to take captopril even if you feel well. Do not stop taking captopril without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Captopril may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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dizziness or lightheadedness</li>
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salty or metallic taste, or decreased ability to taste</li>
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cough</li>
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sore throat</li>
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fever</li>
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mouth sores</li>
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unusual bruising</li>
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fast heartbeat</li>
<li>
excessive tiredness</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
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chest pain</li>
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swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs</li>
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difficulty breathing or swallowing</li>
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fainting</li>
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rash</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking captopril, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to captopril or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially diuretics ('water pills'), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), other medications for high blood pressure, potassium supplements, and vitamins. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart or kidney disease or diabetes. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking captopril.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.