Synonyms in a broader sense
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
Effect
Captopril, which belongs to the group of blood pressure drugs, is an ACE inhibitor and attacks the body’s so-called renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which regulates vascular resistance and thus blood pressure with the help of various enzymes. The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), which normally produces angiotensin 2 from angiotensin I, is the direct target of the ACE inhibitors. Due to the action of the ACE inhibitors, the ACE is now hindered in its function, which means that angiotensin II is no longer produced. Angiotensin II causes an increase in blood pressure through several mechanisms, so its elimination in the course of the action of these blood pressure drugs reduces blood pressure.
Dosage
Captopril = 12.5 to 75mgComparison of other ACE inhibitors: Enalapril = 2.5 to 20mg, Fosinopril = 20mg, The values given refer to the respective target dose per day. A lower dosage is started with a lower dosage, which is slowly increased.
Side effects
As adverse drug reactions, taking captopril can cause coughing in about 10% of cases and taste disorders in 1 to 3% of cases. Low blood pressure (hypotension) may also occur in 1-3% of cases. Functional disorders of the kidney as well as the liver and skin changes are also among the side effects. Angioedema (quinkeedema), swelling of the skin and mucous membranes, and changes in blood count (thrombocytopenia, haemolytic anaemia) have also been described as side effects.
Interactions
Captopril interacts with other antihypertensive drugs, so that in the end there is an even greater decrease in blood pressure. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen), on the other hand, reduce the blood pressure-lowering effect of ACE inhibitors. Furthermore, the administration of these blood pressure medications interacts with them: Changes in the blood count can occur.
There are also influences from potassium preparations or potassium-sparing diuretics. Simultaneous administration results in an increase in potassium in the body. Finally, there are also interactions with diabetes medication (oral antidiabetics). If both drugs are taken, blood sugar is lowered to a greater extent and fluctuations in blood sugar can occur. – Immunosuppressive drugs
- Cytostatics
- Cortisoneor
- Allopurinol (treatment of gout)
Fields of application
ACE inhibitors (captopril) as blood pressure medication are used to treat high blood pressure (arterial hypertension), chronic cardiac insufficiency (chronic heart failure), after a heart attack, and kidney disease resulting from diabetes mellitus (diabetic nephropathy).
Contraindications
ACE inhibitors are contraindicated for pregnant women and nursing mothers as they have a teratogenic (damaging effect on the embryo) effect. Furthermore, these blood pressure medications may not be prescribed in cases of narrowing of the renal artery (renal artery stenosis) or the aorta (aortic stenosis). Due to the side effects, caution is advised in cases of kidney dysfunction and autoimmune diseases due to their blood-image altering effects.
