Captopril and Hydrochlorothiazide

The combination of captopril and hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat high blood pressure. Captopril is in a class of medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It works by decreasing certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels, so blood flows more smoothly. Hydrochlorothiazide is in a class of medications called diuretics ('water pills'). It works by causing the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine.

The combination of captopril and hydrochlorothiazide comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day on an empty stomach, 1 hour before meals. To help you remember to take captopril and hydrochlorothiazide, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take captopril and hydrochlorothiazide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of captopril and hydrochlorothiazide and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 6 to 8 weeks. Captopril and hydrochlorothiazide controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Continue to take captopril and hydrochlorothiazide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking captopril and hydrochlorothiazide without talking to your doctor.

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

<ul>
<li>
cough</li>
<li>
dizziness or lightheadedness</li>
<li>
taste changes</li>
<li>
rash and/or itching</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li>
<li>
hoarseness</li>
<li>
difficulty breathing or swallowing</li>
<li>
fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection</li>
<li>
yellowing of the skin or eyes</li>
<li>
dry mouth</li>
<li>
thirst</li>
<li>
weakness</li>
<li>
lack of energy</li>
<li>
restlessness</li>
<li>
muscle pains or cramps</li>
<li>
infrequent urination</li>
<li>
upset stomach</li>
<li>
vomiting</li>
<li>
fainting</li>
<li>
chest pain</li>
<li>
rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat</li></ul>Captopril and hydrochlorothiazide may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.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 and hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to captopril (Capoten), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide), benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), trandolapril (Mavik), sulfa drugs, or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: amphotericin B (Fungizone); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin (Indocin); calcium supplements; cancer chemotherapy drugs; cholestyramine (Questran); colestipol (Colestid); digoxin (Lanoxin); insulin or oral medications for diabetes; lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications for gout such as probenecid (Benemid) and sulfinpyrazone (Anturane); medications that suppress the immune system; methenamine (Mandelamine, Hiprex); monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate); nitrates such as isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), and nitroglycerin (Nitrogard, Nitrolingual, Nitrostat, others); oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); other diuretics; other medications for high blood pressure; pain medications; phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); and potassium supplements. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had lupus; scleroderma; heart failure; diabetes; allergy; asthma; or liver or kidney disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking captopril and hydrochlorothiazide. ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking captopril and hydrochlorothiazide. Alcohol can worsen the side effects of captopril and hydrochlorothiazide. you should know that diarrhea, vomiting, not drinking enough fluids, and sweating a lot can cause a drop in blood pressure, which may cause lightheadedness and fainting.

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. Symptoms of overdose may include:

<ul>
<li>
drowsiness</li>
<li>
coma</li>
<li>
difficulty breathing</li>
<li>
stomach pain</li></ul>