Drug Information Table
ACE Inhibitors – captopril (Capoten)
Therapeutic Use Administration
• Treatment of • Available for oral use only
◦ Hypertension • Must be taken two to three
◦ Heart failure (HF) times daily for hypertension;
◦ Diabetic nephropathy three times daily for heart
◦ Left ventricular dysfunction failure
following myocardial infarction, • Give captopril 1 hr before meals
(ramipril) for adequate absorption
Side/Adverse Effects Interventions Patient Instructions
• Severe hypotension following • Start ACE inhibitors with low • Be aware that this effects may
first dose (most likely in patients dose and gradually increase to occur
taking diuretics, with high BP, or prevent hypotension • Lie supine if lightheadedness
who have hyponatremia) • Diuretics may be temporarily occurs following first dose
stopped before first dose of
ACE inhibitor is given
• Monitor BP following first dose
• Manage severe hypotension by
expanding blood volume with IV
fluid therapy
• Dry, nonproductive cough due • Monitor for and report dry • Report dry cough to provider
to increase in bradykinin cough
• Discontinue use of ACE
inhibitor if dry cough occurs
• Rash and report of metallic • Monitor for and report these • Report rash to provider
taste in mouth effects (ACE inhibitor may be • Report metallic or decreased
discontinued) ability to taste foods associated
with decreased intake and
weight loss
• Angioedema (swelling of • Treat severe angioedema with • Report minor swelling of mouth,
mouth, throat (due to inhibition IV epinephrine throat to provider; call 911
of kinase II) • Discontinue use of any ACE immediately if severe reaction
inhibitor if angioedema occurs occurs
• Hyperkalemia • Monitor potassium levels in • Refrain from using potassium
patients who are at risk (See supplements and potassium-
interactions, below) containing salt substitutes while
taking an ACE inhibitor
• Report palpitations, muscle
twitching, weakness or
paresthesias in extremities to
provider
• Neutropenia (decrease in white • Monitor white blood cell • Report sore throat or other
blood cells with increased risk counts (WBC) with differential signs of infection to provider
of infection) (includes number of neutrophils
and other types of white blood
cells) every 2 weeks for first
3 months of therapy and then
periodically
• Do not take an ACE inhibitor
if you are pregnant or
breastfeeding
Contraindications Precautions Interactions
ACE Inhibitors – captopril (Capoten)
Therapeutic Use Administration
• Treatment of • Available for oral use only
◦ Hypertension • Must be taken two to three
◦ Heart failure (HF) times daily for hypertension;
◦ Diabetic nephropathy three times daily for heart
◦ Left ventricular dysfunction failure
following myocardial infarction, • Give captopril 1 hr before meals
(ramipril) for adequate absorption
Side/Adverse Effects Interventions Patient Instructions
• Severe hypotension following • Start ACE inhibitors with low • Be aware that this effects may
first dose (most likely in patients dose and gradually increase to occur
taking diuretics, with high BP, or prevent hypotension • Lie supine if lightheadedness
who have hyponatremia) • Diuretics may be temporarily occurs following first dose
stopped before first dose of
ACE inhibitor is given
• Monitor BP following first dose
• Manage severe hypotension by
expanding blood volume with IV
fluid therapy
• Dry, nonproductive cough due • Monitor for and report dry • Report dry cough to provider
to increase in bradykinin cough
• Discontinue use of ACE
inhibitor if dry cough occurs
• Rash and report of metallic • Monitor for and report these • Report rash to provider
taste in mouth effects (ACE inhibitor may be • Report metallic or decreased
discontinued) ability to taste foods associated
with decreased intake and
weight loss
• Angioedema (swelling of • Treat severe angioedema with • Report minor swelling of mouth,
mouth, throat (due to inhibition IV epinephrine throat to provider; call 911
of kinase II) • Discontinue use of any ACE immediately if severe reaction
inhibitor if angioedema occurs occurs
• Hyperkalemia • Monitor potassium levels in • Refrain from using potassium
patients who are at risk (See supplements and potassium-
interactions, below) containing salt substitutes while
taking an ACE inhibitor
• Report palpitations, muscle
twitching, weakness or
paresthesias in extremities to
provider
• Neutropenia (decrease in white • Monitor white blood cell • Report sore throat or other
blood cells with increased risk counts (WBC) with differential signs of infection to provider
of infection) (includes number of neutrophils
and other types of white blood
cells) every 2 weeks for first
3 months of therapy and then
periodically
• Do not take an ACE inhibitor
if you are pregnant or
breastfeeding
Contraindications Precautions Interactions
