Captopril

Question 1

Trade name

Answer 1

Capoten

Question 2

Generic name

Answer 2

Captopril

Question 3

Class of drug

Answer 3

Angiotensin-
converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
Antihypertensive

Question 4

Usual dosage

Answer 4

Oral: 12.5-50 mg 2-3 times daily.

Question 5

What is it used for

Answer 5

Hypertension, heart failure, MI (improves survival), prevents proteinuria,
Bradykinin a peptide that plays a key role in inflammation is involved in manly physiological processes as vasodilation
vasoconstriction
narrowing of bloodvessels
can be beneficially harmful depending
on the situation
protects kidneys & slows progression of renal impairment.

Question 6

Adverse effects

Answer 6

Persistent cough, hyperkalemia, acute hypotension, angioedema.

Question 7

Complication/precautions

Answer 7

Contraindications
● Hypersensitivity to drug or other
ACE inhibitors
● Angioedema (hereditary or
idiopathic)
● Pregnancy
Precautions
Use cautiously in:
● renal or hepatic impairment, hypo-
volemia, hyponatremia, aortic stenosis
and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, car-
diac or cerebrovascular insufficiency,
systemic lupus erythematous
● family history of angioedema
● black patients with hypertension
● elderly patients
● breastfeeding patients
● children.

Question 8

Action

Answer 8

Prevents conversion of angiotensin I to
angiotensin II, which leads to
decreased vasoconstriction and, ulti-
mately, to lower blood pressure. Also
decreases blood pressure by increasing
plasma renin secretion from kidney
and reducing aldosterone secretion
from adrenal cortex. Decreased aldos-
terone secretion prevents sodium and
water retention.

Question 9

Nursing consideration

Answer 9

Monitor for sudden blood pressure drop within 3 hours of initial dose if patient is receiving concurrent diuretics and on a low-sodium diet.
• Monitor hematologic, kidney, and liver function test results.
• Check for proteinuria monthly and after first 9 months of therapy.

Monitor potassium (3.5-5) (hyperkalemia (K+ greater than 5), renal function (BUN (5-25 mg/dL) & Creatinine (0.5-1.5 mg/dL), blood pressure, pulse. Teach pt: limit potassium intake, avoid salt substitutes, change position slowly to minimize orthostatic hypotension, report if experience persistent cough.

Question 10

Interaction

Answer 10

Increase potassium levels with potassium-sparing diuretics.