Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor.

Indications: mild to moderate hypertension as an adjunct to thiazide therapy; severe hypertension resistant to other treatment; adjunct treatment in severe congestive heart failure.

Cautions, contra-Indications and Side Effects: (see ACE-inhibitors) Also tachycardia, serum sickness, weight loss, stomatitis, maculopapular rash photosensitivity, flushing, acidosis.

Dose: Alone mild to moderate hypertension, initially 12.5 mg twice daily.

Maintenance dose, 25 mg twice daily; can be increased at 2-4 week intervals until a satisfactory response is obtained to a max. of 50 mg twice daily.

A thiazide diuretic may be added; its dose is increased at 1-2 week intervals until optimum response is obtained or until max. dose is reached.

Severe hypertension, starting dose is 12.5 mg twice daily increased to a max. of 50 mg three times daily. A dose of 150 mg daily should not normally be exceeded. Other antihypertensive can be used but their doses are individual.

Heart failure, a starting dose of 6.25 or 12.5 mg. Usual maintenance dose is 25 mg two or three times daily.

Usual max. dose is 150 mg daily.

Diabetic nephropathy, 75-100 mg daily in divided doses. Child, initially 0.3 mg/kg (0.15 mg/kg if a diuretic is given) 3 times daily; may be increased to a max. dose of 6 mg/kg body weight in divided doses. This dose should not be exceeded.

The drug is not recommended in mild to moderate hypertension in children.