Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide
(Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide)Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide Overview
Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide contains two medications, captopril and hydrochlorothiazide. Captopril belongs to a class of drugs known as ACE inhibitors. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Hydrochlorothiazide is a "water pill" (diuretic). Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide increases the amount of urine you make, causing your body to get rid of extra salt and water.
Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide Warnings
Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide can cause serious (possibly fatal) harm to an unborn baby if used during pregnancy. It is important to prevent pregnancy while taking Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control while taking Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away.
How to Use Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide
Take Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide by mouth on an empty stomach one hour before a meal as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. It is best to avoid taking Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide within 4 hours of your bedtime to avoid having to get up to urinate. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your dosing schedule. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. If you are on restricted fluid intake, consult your doctor for further instructions. If you are also taking cholestyramine or colestipol, take captopril/hydrochlorothiazide at least 4 hours before or at least 4 to 6 hours after either of those drugs. The Dosage of Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. The manufacturer recommends that daily doses should not be more than 150 milligrams of captopril and 50 milligrams of hydrochlorothiazide. Use Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Do not skip doses or stop taking Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide unless directed by your doctor. Keep taking Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. It may take up to 6-8 weeks before the full benefit of Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide takes effect. Inform your doctor if your condition worsens (such as your routine blood pressure readings increase).
Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide Precautions
Before taking Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to either captopril or hydrochlorothiazide; or to other ACE inhibitors (such as enalapril, lisinopril); or to other thiazides (such as chlorothiazide); or if you have any other allergies (including an allergic reaction after exposure to certain membranes used for blood filtering). Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,a history of an allergic reaction that included swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat (angioedema), kidney problems, liver disease, gout, untreated salt/mineral imbalance (such as imbalance of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium), dehydration, collagen vascular disease (such as lupus, scleroderma), recent nerve surgery (such as sympathectomy), skin cancer. Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. You can develop dehydration if you do not drink enough fluids or if you have too much diarrhea, vomiting, or sweating. This can cause dizziness and lightheadedness due to low blood pressure. Avoid heavy exercise, and keep cool in hot weather. Contact your doctor if you are unable to drink fluids or if you have diarrhea or vomiting that doesn't stop. Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may affect your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide. Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may make you more sensitive to the sun. It may also increase your risk for skin cancer, especially if you take it for a long time. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned, have skin blisters/redness, or notice new or changed moles/skin lesions. If you have diabetes, hydrochlorothiazide may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide, especially dizziness and change in the amount of urine (kidney problems). Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide. Captopril may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide. () Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide Misdose
If you miss a dose of Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide Interactions
See also How to Use and Precautions sections. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.aliskiren, diazoxide, dofetilide, certain drugs that weaken the immune system/increase the risk of infection (such as everolimus, sirolimus), lithium, probenecid, drugs that may increase the level of potassium in the blood (such as ARBs including losartan/valsartan, birth control pills containing drospirenone), other "water pills" (diuretics such as amiloride, furosemide, triamterene), gold injections, sacubitril. A very serious reaction may occur if you are getting injections for bee/wasp sting allergy (desensitization) and are also taking captopril with hydrochlorothiazide. Make sure all your doctors know which medicines you are using. Some products have ingredients that could raise your blood pressure or worsen your heart failure. Tell your pharmacist what products you are using, and ask how to use them safely (especially cough-and-cold products, diet aids, or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen). Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide can affect the results of certain lab tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide.
Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide Side Effects
Dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, headache, tiredness, blurred vision, loss of taste, or dry cough may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. You may also experience decreased sexual ability. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide do not have serious side effects. Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance,extreme thirst, very dry mouth, muscle cramps/weakness, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, confusion. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects,signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills), easy bruising/bleeding, symptoms of a high potassium blood level (such as muscle weakness, slow/irregular heartbeat), numbness/tingling/swelling of the hands/feet, muscle/joint aches, decrease in vision, eye pain, signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine). Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver problems.nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, severe stomach/abdominal pain, unusual tiredness. A very serious allergic reaction to Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction,rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat/arms/legs), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
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