Dowpril (other name Capoten)

Common use

Capoten is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme. Capoten is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), congestive heart failure, kidney problems caused by diabetes, and to improve survival after a heart attack.

Dosage and direction

Take Capoten exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Capoten is usually taken 1 hour before meals. Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking Capoten. If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well.

Precautions

To make sure Capoten is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); liver disease; diabetes; a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis; or if you have had an organ transplant.

Contraindications

Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking Capoten, unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Avoid strenuous exercise without your doctor's approval if you are being treated for heart failure.
You should not use Capoten if you are allergic to captopril or to any other ACE inhibitor, such as benazepril, fosinopril, enalapril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril.
You may also need to avoid taking this medicine with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
Do not use Capoten if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away. You should not breast-feed while you are using this medicine.
Do not use Capoten if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Capoten: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have: a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; little or no urination, or urinating more than usual; shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain; chest pain or pressure, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest; high potassium - nausea, slow or unusual heart rate, weakness, loss of movement; or sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms.
Common Capoten side effects may include: cough; flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling); numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet; loss of taste sensation; or mild skin itching or rash.

Drug interaction

If you have diabetes, do not use Capoten together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo).

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the medication tightly closed when not in use, away from children and pets.