Capoten

Capoten is a drug from the ACE inhibitor group. It has antihypertensive properties.

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Indications Capotena.

It is used to treat the following disorders:

• myocardial infarction;
• CHF (as part of complex treatment);
• elevated blood pressure (for monotherapy, but can also be used in combination with other medications);
• diabetic form of nephropathy that develops against the background of diabetes mellitus (type 1).

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Release form

The drug is released in tablets with a volume of 25 mg; blister packs contain 14 tablets. A box contains 1-4 such packs.

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Pharmacodynamics

The drug can prevent the production of angiotensin 2, and in addition, weakens its ability to narrow the blood vessels of veins and arteries.

Capoten reduces pre- and post-load, reduces blood pressure values, and at the same time reduces the pressure level inside the pulmonary circulation and atrium. In addition, the drug increases the cardiac output and reduces the amount of aldosterone secreted by the adrenal glands.

Already after 10 minutes from the moment of taking the drug, its therapeutic effect begins, but the substance demonstrates maximum efficiency after 1.5 hours. The duration of maximum medicinal effect is no more than 6 hours.

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Pharmacokinetics

After taking the drug, approximately 75% of the medicinal component is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. If taken with food, the rate of absorption of the drug decreases.

More than 90% of Capoten is excreted by the kidneys. Approximately 50% of this mass is excreted unchanged, and the remainder is excreted in the form of metabolic products.

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Dosing and administration

The tablets should be taken orally, 60 minutes before meals. The medicine can also be taken sublingually. Dosage sizes are selected individually.

Use in people with hypertension.

With elevated blood pressure, the drug intake should be started with a minimum dose, selected for each patient individually. If a person has a moderate or mild form of the disease, the drug should first be taken at a dosage of 12.5 mg (0.5 tablets) 2 times a day. If it is necessary to increase the dose, this should be done gradually, with intervals of 0.5-1 month. A dosage of 50 mg (corresponding to 2 tablets), taken 2 times a day, is highly effective.

For severe hypertension, the initial dose is similar to that used in the above scheme - 12.5 mg taken twice a day. Then it should be gradually increased to the maximum - 0.15 g (50 mg, 3 times a day).

Use in individuals with cardiac insufficiency.

Therapy can only be carried out under the supervision of the attending physician. In order to minimize the effect of transient hypotension, at the beginning of the treatment cycle, it is necessary to use doses of a maximum of 6.25 mg (a quarter of a tablet), taken 3 times a day. The optimal maintenance dose is 1 tablet (25 mg), taken 2-3 times a day. If necessary, the dose is increased at intervals of 2 weeks until the maximum dosage of 0.15 g is reached.

Therapy for myocardial infarction.

The treatment cycle should be started after 3 days from the moment of the attack. At first, the drug should be used in the optimal dose of 6.25 mg (a quarter of a tablet), taken 3 times a day. Then this dosage is gradually increased to taking 1 tablet (25 mg) 3 times a day.

Scheme of use in diabetic nephropathy.

The serving size is 3-4 tablets (volume 75-100 mg), taken 2-3 times a day.

Use in people with renal dysfunction.

In case of mild or moderate renal dysfunction, 3 doses of 75-100 mg of the drug (3-4 tablets) per day are allowed.

In severe stages of the disorder, doctors recommend starting treatment with a dosage not exceeding 12.5 mg (0.5 tablets). If such a dosage does not lead to the development of the desired result, it should be gradually increased until the desired effect is achieved.

Use in the elderly.

For patients over 65 years of age, portion sizes are selected by doctors on an individual basis. The course must be started with a minimum portion, and then maintained in the same size throughout the entire cycle of taking the drug.

Before using Capoten, you should definitely consult your doctor.

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Use Capotena. during pregnancy

It is prohibited to use the medicine during pregnancy or lactation.

Contraindications

Among the contraindications:

• people who have recently had a kidney transplant;
• aortic stenosis and other similar pathologies that impede the process of blood outflow;
• arterial stenosis within a single kidney, against which progressive azotemia may develop;
• history of drug intolerance;
• angioedema;
• bilateral renal arterial stenosis;
• problems with kidney or liver function;
• hyperkalemia;
• hypersensitivity to any of the components of the drug.

Capoten should be prescribed with caution to people with suppressed hematopoiesis processes in the bone marrow, cerebral ischemia and autoimmune pathologies affecting connective tissues. In addition, caution is required for people undergoing hemodialysis during therapy, as well as those who adhere to a diet with controlled sodium intake, and the elderly.

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Side effects Capotena.

The use of the medication may cause the occurrence of certain side effects:

• tachycardia, orthostatic collapse and peripheral edema;
• dry cough, bronchial spasms and pulmonary edema;
• swelling affecting the mucous membranes inside the larynx, as well as the tongue, lips and extremities, and in addition, general facial swelling;
• proteinuria, acidosis, and in addition hyperkalemia with hyponatremia and an increase in blood urea nitrogen values;
• anemia, agranulocytosis, thrombocyto- or neutropenia;
• aphthous stomatitis, taste disorder, dry oral mucosa and increased liver enzyme activity. Rarely, severe abdominal pain appears or hepatitis, gingival hyperplasia or diarrhea develops;
• rashes, often accompanied by itching or, less commonly, an increase in temperature. Erythema, a rash of a bullous or vesicular nature, photosensitivity or frequent flushes of blood to the skin of the face may appear;
• dizziness, ataxia, drowsiness, paresthesia, headaches and visual disturbances.

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Overdose

A manifestation of intoxication is a sharp and significant decrease in blood pressure.

To treat this disorder, the patient must be given plasma-substituting drugs and undergo hemodialysis procedures.

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Interactions with other drugs

The antihypertensive effect of the drug is potentiated when combined with adrenergic blockers, diuretics and ganglionic blockers.

Blood potassium levels may increase when the medication is combined with potassium-sparing diuretics (such as triamterene with spironolactone and amiloride) or dietary supplements containing potassium.

Clonidine with indomethacin weaken the hypotensive effect of Capoten.

Concomitant use of the drug with procainamide or allopurinol may provoke the development of Stevens-Johnson syndrome or neutropenia.

Immunosuppressants, including azathioprine or cyclophosphamide, when combined with the drug increase the likelihood of developing hematological disorders.

The use of lithium or ACE inhibitors causes an increase in blood lithium levels, which increases the likelihood of negative effects from lithium drugs.

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Storage conditions

Capoten must be kept at temperatures averaging 15-25°C.

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Shelf life

Capoten can be used within 36 months from the date of manufacture of the drug.

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Application for children

Capoten is not prescribed in pediatrics – to children under 18 years of age.

Analogues

Analogues of the drug are Captopril, Diroton, Kapozid with Berlipril, and also Accupro, Lisinocol, Zokardis, etc.

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Reviews

Capoten generally receives good reviews from patients - they report that the drug has a quick effect and effectively reduces blood pressure. In addition, the convenient dosage form of the drug is noted. But there are also those who have developed negative reactions while taking the drug, including mild numbness of the tongue.

Doctors say that when used correctly, the drug has an effective and rapid therapeutic effect, with almost no side effects. It is also noted that it should be used exclusively with the prescription of a doctor, who will select the appropriate dosage and regimen for the patient.