Cardopril 50mg

Captopril is a sulfhydryl-containing analog of proline with antihypertensive activity. Captopril competitively inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), thereby decreasing levels of angiotensin II, increasing plasma renin activity, and decreasing aldosterone secretion. Approxiately 60-75% of an oral dose of captopril is repidly absorbed from the GI tract in fasting healthy individuals or hypertensive patients. More than 95% of a dose is excreted renally, both as unchanged (45-50%) drug and as metabolites.

Mild-to-moderate hypertension: The initial dose is 12.5 mg twice daily. The usual maintenance dose is 25mg twice daily which can be increased incrementally, at two to four week intervals, until a satisfactory response is achieved, to a maximum of 50 mg twice daily.

Severe hypertension: In severe hypertension the starting dose is 12.5 mg b.d. The dosage may be increased incrementally to a maximum of 50 mg t.d.s.

Heart failure: A starting dose of 6.25mg or 12.5mg may minimise a transient hypotensive effect. The usual maintenance dose is 25mg three times a day. The usual maximum dose is 150 mg daily.

Captopril must be taken 1 hour before meals to ensure maximum absorption.

Use in Child: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.