Captopril And Hydrochlorothiazide 

Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide is used for: 

Treating high blood pressure. It may also be for other conditions as determined by your doctor. 

Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and thiazide diuretic combination. It works by decreasing a chemical that tightens blood vessels and by helping the kidneys eliminate extra fluid from the body. This causes blood vessels to relax (dilate) and decreases excess fluid, which lowers blood pressure. 

Do NOT use Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide if: 

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide 
• you are in the second or third trimester of pregnancy 
• you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue) to any other ACE inhibitor (eg, enalapril) or to any other sulfonamide medicine (eg, acetazolamide, glyburide, sulfamethoxazole) 
• you are taking dextran sulfate, dofetilide, or ketanserin 
• you are unable to urinate 

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding 
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement 
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances 
• if you have a history  of swelling of the hands, feet, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat; bone marrow problems;  blood vessel problems of the heart or brain; kidney disease, transplant, or dialysis; heart problems; liver problems; or parathyroid problems 
• if you have  a history of blood electrolyte problems (eg, high or low calcium, chloride, magnesium, potassium, or sodium), an autoimmune disease (eg, lupus), thickening of  the skin, gout, diabetes, asthma, or high  blood cholesterol or lipid levels, or if you are on a sodium-restricted diet 
• Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any  of the following: 
• Amphotericin B, calcium supplements, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), corticotropin (ACTH), digoxin, dofetilide, ketanserin, loop  diuretics (eg, furosemide), potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone), potassium supplements, or thiopurines (eg, azathioprine) because  the risk  of serious side effects, including kidney problems, electrolyte problems, irregular heartbeat,  and anemia, may be increased 
• Dextran sulfate because it may increase  the risk of allergic reactions, and severe dizziness or lightheadedness may be increased 
• Lithium because  the risk of toxic effects, including seizures, may be increased by Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide 
• Certain gold-containing medicines (eg, sodium aurothiomalate) because flushing, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure may occur 
• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), diazoxide, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (eg, phenelzine), narcotic pain medicines (eg, codeine, fentanyl, morphine), or other medicines for high blood pressure because they may increase the risk of Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide 's side effects 
• Cholestyramine, colestipol, or salicylates (eg, aspirin) because they may decrease Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide 's effectiveness 
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), insulin, methenamine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, indomethacin), pressor amines (eg, norepinephrine), probenecid, sulfinpyrazone, and sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide 

• Take Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide  by mouth  on an empty stomach 1 hour before meals.
• Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may increase the amount of urine or cause  you to urinate more often when you first start taking it. To keep this from disturbing your sleep, try to  take your dose before 6 pm. 
• Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide works best if  it is taken at  the same time each day.
• Continue  to take Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide even if  you feel well. Do  not miss any doses. 
• If you miss a dose of Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide , take it  as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.  Do not take 2 doses at once. 
• Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide . 
• Important safety information: 
• Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness  or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you  take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. 
• Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects. 
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. 
• Your doctor may have also prescribed a potassium supplement for you. If so, follow the dosing carefully. Do not take additional potassium or change your diet to include  more potassium without first checking with your doctor. 
• Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause you  to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time. 
• Patients who take medicine for  high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure  to take your medicine  even if you may  not feel "normal." Tell  your doctor if you develop any new symptoms. 
• Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide  may not work as well in black patients. They may also  be at greater risk of side effects. Contact  your doctor if your symptoms do not improve  or if they become worse.
• If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. 
• Diabetes patients - Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause  the results  of some tests for urine ketones  to be wrong. Ask  your doctor before you change your diet or  the dose  of your diabetes medicine. 
• Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may raise  your blood sugar. High blood sugar  may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell  your doctor right away. 
• Lab tests, including  blood pressure monitoring, blood potassium or other electrolyte levels,  and urine tests,  may be performed while you use Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide . These  tests may be used  to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure  to keep all doctor  and lab appointments. 
• Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed. 
• PREGNANCY  and BREAST-FEEDING: Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause fetal and newborn death if  you take it while you  are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while  taking Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide .