Captopril MedlinePlus Drug Information

Captopril MedlinePlus Drug Information

Question. Describe briefly captopril.

Answer. Captopril is an ACE inhibitor.

Mechanism Of Action Captopril.

1. Drug prevent the conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II by inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme thus preventing action of angiotensin II, i.e. vasoconstriction and aldosterone synthesis and causes fall in blood pressure.
2. Captopril metabolizes bradykinin which is a potent vasodilator.
   It increases bradykinin levels causing vasodilatation.

Adverse Effects Captopril.

It causes hypotension, hyperkalemia, dry persistent cough, loss of taste sensation, urticaria, angiedema, pruritus, skin rash, agranulocytosis, proteinuria, renal insuffiency

Uses captopril

1. Captopril is first line drug to be used in treatment of hypertension. The captopril is more effective in renovascular hypertension.
2. It decreases preload and afterload in cardiac heart failure.
3. In diabetics, it improves renal function.
4. Captopril is used in myocardial infarction and also causes reduction in motility.

Dose captopril.

It is given 25 mg TDS increased every week upto a maximum of 450 mg/day