How should I take captopril?
Take captopril exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Captopril is usually taken 1 hour before meals. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking captopril.

Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking captopril. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Store captopril at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a captopril overdose may include feeling extremely dizzy or light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking captopril?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of captopril. Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking captopril, unless your doctor has told you to.

What are the possible side effects of captopril?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to captopril: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

feeling light-headed, fainting;

urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;

fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;

chest pain; or

swelling, rapid weight gain.

Less serious captopril side effects may include:

cough;

loss of taste sensation, loss of appetite;

dizziness, drowsiness, headache;

sleep problems (insomnia);

dry mouth, sores in the mouth or on the lips;

nausea, diarrhea, constipation; or

mild skin itching or rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-10881-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect captopril?
Before taking captopril, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

gold injections to treat arthritis;

lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);

a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con;

salt substitutes that contain potassium;

drugs that can dilate blood vessels, such as alprostadil (Caverject, Edex), nitroglycerin, nitroprusside (Nitropress), nesiritide (Natrecor), minoxidil (Loniten), or isosorbide dinitrate (Imdur, Isordil);

aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil),diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn),and others; or

a diuretic (water pill).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use captopril or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect captopril. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about captopril.