CAPOTAL
ANTIHYPERTENSIVE , EFFECTIVE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HEART FAILURE .

PROPERTIES:
CAPOTAL is (Captopril), an antihypertensive agent, and effective in management of heart failure. CAPOTAL is a special competitive inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE inhibitor) which is responsible for the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. The beneficial effect of CAPOTAL in hypertension and heart failure are due to the suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. CAPOTAL is absorbed rapidly after oral administration, peak blood levels are attained within one hour. Food reduces its absorption by 30 - 40 %.
 

INDICATIONS:
CAPOTAL is indicated for:
- The treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agent. Especially thiazide type diuretics.
- The treatment of patients with heart failure. CAPOTAL can be administered with digitalis.
 

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION:
It should be individual but generally for:
Hypertensive Adults: the starting dose is 12.5 mg. twice daily and increased gradually every
2 – 4 weeks.
In severe and special cases the dose can be increased to 100 mg. daily under close medical supervision.
Maintenance dose: 25 – 50 mg. twice daily and should not exceed 50 mg. 3 times daily.
When the drug is shared with diuretics, the starting dose is 6.25 mg. twice daily
If the diuretic was used before the Captopril, the starting dose should be used with care.
In case of severe hypertension salt restriction is advised with the use of medication.
Heart Failure: the starting of medication should be under medical supervision.
The starting dose: 6.25 – 12.5 mg. 2 – 3 times daily.
Maintenance dose: 25 mg. 2 – 3 times daily.
The drug is used carefully in patients with coronary artery stenosis, Renal artery stenosis & in patients receiving Immunosuppressive drugs.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Hypersensitivity to Captopril or any other components.
 

SIDE EFFECTS:
A few side effects were reported on using CAPOTAL such as rash, pruritus, flushing pemphigoid-like lesion, loss of taste, stomatitis, elevation of liver enzyme, gastric irritation, abdominal pain, proteinuria, neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypotension, tachycardia, paresthesia, cough and bronchospasm.
 

DRUG INTERACTIONS:
CAPOTAL enhance the activity of other antihypertensive agents such as diuretics , -blockers, clonidine and methyldopa . The administration of indomethacin and possibly other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents may reduce CAPOTAL’s antihypertensive effect while probenecid may delay its elimination .
 

PRECAUTIONS:
Captopril should not be used in pregnancy specially in the first three months and it should be stopped during lactation.
Patients with renal disease may have their BUN and serum creatinine raised . The dose should be decreased or the diuretic , if co-administered , should be discontinued . In patients with renal dysfunction , CAPOTAL elimination is reduced . Thus the dose should be reduced or the interval be increased, after the desired therapeutic effect is attained .
 

PRESENTATION & COMPOSITION:
CAPOTAL 25: 2 x 10 tablets, each tablet contains (Captopril 25 mg) .
CAPOTAL 50: 2 x 10 tablets, each tablet contains (Captopril 50 mg) .
 

STORAGE:
Store at room temperature.
Keep out of reach of children.