CAPTOPRIL 50 mg RPG Captopril tablets Action
Drug belonging to the family of the converting enzyme inhibitors. Converting enzyme is a substance naturally manufactured by the body and responsible for the decrease of the calibre of the arteries leading to an increase in blood pressure and heart fatigue.
Specifically, this drug has the property of blocking the action of the enzyme which converts angiotensin 1, which is a protein found in blood and usually inactive in an active form called angiotensin 2. This protein is the origin of blood vessel constriction (closure).
Converting enzyme action stops the production of angiotensin 2. This consequence is vasodilation (increase the size of blood vessels) and consecutively a decrease in blood pressure and a decrease in the work provided by the c? ur.

Indication
• Converting enzyme inhibitors, also known as IEC, are used to treat hypertension (blood pressure elevation)
• Disease of the kidney in the diabetic requiring insulin (insulin dependent) to rebalance its diabetes (excess of sugar in the blood)
• Drug used for the treatment of insufficiency of functioning of the heart pump (heart failure), also used in the suites of myocardial infarction.

Dosage
Adult: dosage is variable based on blood pressure:
in General, 1 tablet 25 mg morning and night, during or outside meals.
Diseases affecting the kidney in diabetic and heart failure: 50 to 100 mg per day. The doses are achieved progressively and are divided into two or three catches.
If one wishes to make protection of the c? ur after myocardial infarction: 75-150 mg per day. Dose divided in two or three catches.
When there is renal failure or atherosclerosis, processing is required by diuretics or a regime without salt, especially in the elderly. In this case, the starting dose is low and is gradually increased by medical decision in response to the effects of the drug.

Contraindications
Allergy to drugs of the family of the converting enzyme inhibitors

Precautions in use
Converting enzyme inhibitors are likely to cause discomfort or dizziness. This is the reason why drivers of vehicles must be warned of this risk, especially in the first catch.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The use of this drug is contraindicated during pregnancy. Indeed, its effects on the embryo and the f? tus are not known with precision. If a pregnancy starts during treatment, it is necessary to stop taking this drug and to regularly perform ultrasounds of monitoring to ensure the absence of anomalies. In some situations, the doctor or the specialist medical team may prescribe this drug, mainly when there is hyperkalemia (elevation of potassium levels) or a decrease of the calibre of the renal arteries.
During breastfeeding, this drug is contraindicated.

Side effects
Edema (swelling of the face): angioedema
In the elderly, it is necessary to take a few precautions. There is a risk of renal failure requiring a determination of creatinine and potassium levels in the blood (periodic)

Drug interactions
It is not recommended to combine this drug to:
• Diuretics
• Potassium-containing drugs
• Lithium-containing drugs
• The anti-diabetic drugs as tablets or insulin-containing
• Drugs of the family of the imipraminiques
• Some antipsychotics
• Drugs containing of baclofen
• Of corticoids (cortisone)

Note
It is sometimes advised patients to monitor their blood pressure using a home. Nevertheless, this apparatus must be calibrated on the basis of his attending physician to compare the figures obtained at home with those obtained in the consultation.
Consecutive decision-making of diuretic or sodium is likely to be the source of malaise. On the other hand, it is advisable to begin treatment a day of rest.
The use of potassium salt (some plans without salt) is contraindicated with this drug.