Captopril

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Updated on September 8, 2023

Captopril (KAP toe pril) is a generic medication prescribed for high blood pressure and certain other conditions in adults. Captopril belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved captopril to:

• treat high blood pressure
• treat heart failure
• improve survival and reduce the risk of heart failure after a heart attack in certain people
• treat a kidney problem called diabetic nephropathy in certain people who have diabetes

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm or pregnancy loss

Captopril oral tablet has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm or pregnancy loss. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings” section.

Side effects of captopril

Captopril may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of captopril and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about captopril’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for captopril listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of captopril are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about captopril’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Captopril oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• cough
• dizziness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
• changes in your sense of taste
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for captopril” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of captopril are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about captopril’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, captopril’s serious side effects include:

• heart problems, including chest pain, heart rhythm problems, and heart attack
• high potassium levels
• kidney problems
• low blood cell counts, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
• low blood pressure
• sudden swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, throat, limbs, or intestines
• boxed warning: risk of fetal harm or pregnancy loss*
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for captopril” section.

Common questions about captopril

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about captopril.

What brand names are available for captopril?

Currently, no brand-name drugs are available for captopril. Captopril oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Capoten. But Capoten is no longer on the market.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared with brand-name drugs.

To find out more about this or captopril, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does captopril work? And how long does it take to start working?

Captopril works by blocking angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). (This process is captopril’s mechanism of action.) Blocking ACE relaxes the blood vessels, which widens them and allows blood to flow more easily. This lowers blood pressure and reduces how hard your heart needs to pump. It also allows more blood flow in your kidneys.

Captopril starts working within 1–2 hours of taking it. But it may take a few weeks to see its full effects for treating your condition.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is captopril similar to lisinopril?

Yes, captopril is similar to lisinopril. Both drugs are angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors with similar side effects and warnings. They also have similar uses, including treating high blood pressure and certain heart conditions.

A primary difference is that lisinopril is approved to treat high blood pressure in certain children. But captopril doesn’t have this approval.

You can learn more about how these two drugs compare by talking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Uses of captopril

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as captopril for certain conditions. Below is a description of these approved uses for captopril.

Use for conditions related to the heart and blood vessels

Captopril oral tablet is approved to treat various conditions related to the heart and blood vessels.

High blood pressure

Doctors may prescribe captopril oral tablet for treating high blood pressure. It’s used for this purpose in adults. Usually it’s prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With high blood pressure, you usually don’t have any symptoms. But having it increases your risk of life threatening problems, including heart attack and stroke. Lowering blood pressure with medication, such as captopril, can help prevent these problems.

To treat high blood pressure, doctors may prescribe captopril together with other blood pressure medications. This typically includes a diuretic (water pill), such as hydrochlorothiazide.

Heart failure

Doctors may prescribe captopril oral tablet for treating heart failure. It’s used for this purpose in adults. Usually it’s prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With heart failure, your heart becomes weak and can’t pump blood the way it should. This means your body’s organs and tissues can’t get enough blood. Symptoms of heart failure can include fatigue (low energy), shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs or ankles.

To treat heart failure, doctors may prescribe captopril together with a diuretic (water pill) and digoxin.

After a heart attack to improve survival and reduce the risk of heart failure

Doctors may prescribe captopril oral tablet after a heart attack to improve survival. It helps reduce the risk of developing heart failure and needing hospitalization. It’s used for this purpose in adults. Usually it’s prescribed as a long-term treatment.

Use for diabetic nephropathy

Doctors may prescribe captopril oral tablet for treating a kidney problem called diabetic nephropathy. It’s used for this purpose in adults who have diabetes. Usually it’s prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With diabetic nephropathy, high blood sugar levels cause damage to the kidneys over time. This leads to problems with kidney function and kidney failure. In fact, diabetes is one of the most common causes of kidney failure. Symptoms of diabetic nephropathy include urinating more than usual and swelling in the legs, ankles, or hands.

Interactions and warnings for captopril

Below you’ll find information about captopril’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of captopril

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take captopril, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for captopril” section.

Warnings for captopril

Some people should not take captopril, and others should take it cautiously.

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm or pregnancy loss

Captopril has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm or pregnancy loss. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Captopril and pregnancy” section below.

Other warnings

Captopril could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether captopril is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for captopril, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Captopril can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to captopril or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe captopril. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• severe skin rashes that may blister and peel
• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to captopril, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of captopril

If you take captopril by mouth, you should not take more captopril than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much captopril, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and captopril

Information about captopril and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Captopril and pregnancy

Captopril should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with captopril.

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm or pregnancy loss

Captopril has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm or pregnancy loss. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Taking captopril oral tablet during pregnancy can cause harm to the fetus or loss of pregnancy.

If you become pregnant during captopril treatment, tell your doctor immediately. They’ll have you stop taking captopril. They may recommend another treatment option that is safe during pregnancy.

To learn more about this boxed warning, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Captopril and breastfeeding

Captopril should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with captopril.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about captopril or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• What’s the most important information I need to know about captopril?
• Do any of my other medications interact with captopril?
• Are there any alternative medications I can take for my condition?

Resources

• Captopril tablets, USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/563737c5-4d63-4957-8022-e3bc3112dfac/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.