Telephone: 

604-548 6688

Fax: 

604-548 6700

Click here 

for Address & Maps

Language:

Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide, Oral KAP-toh-pril hy-droh-klor-oh-THY-a-zide

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: ACE inhibitor; diuretic; antihypertensive

Generic and brand names: captopril/hydrochlorothiazide, oral

What is this medicine used for?

This combination medicine is taken by mouth to treat high blood pressure and other conditions. The ACE inhibitor relaxes blood vessels. The diuretic helps increase your flow of urine to remove excess salt and water from your body. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

  • an allergic reaction to any medicine
  • a stroke
  • angioedema
  • asthma
  • diabetes
  • glaucoma
  • gout
  • heart failure or any other heart or blood vessel disease
  • high cholesterol or high triglyceride levels
  • imbalances of sodium, potassium, magnesium, or calcium in the blood
  • kidney or liver disease
  • systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other connective tissue disease
  • trouble urinating

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine regularly for as long as prescribed, even if you feel better. If you are taking it for high blood pressure, you must take it every day to keep your blood pressure under control. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

This medicine increases urination. Take the last dose of the day before 6 PM to avoid interrupting your sleep at night.

This medicine is best taken on an empty stomach, at least 1Â hour before meals.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, fainting, increased urination, lightheadedness, nausea, slow heartbeat, vomiting, weakness.

What should I watch out for?

Follow the diet and exercise program your health provider recommends. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without your healthcare provider's approval.

If you have severe vomiting or diarrhea while you are taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider.

This medicine may cause eye problems that could lead to vision loss. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have eye pain or a decrease in vision.

This medicine may make you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint, especially in hot weather. Be careful when exercising. If you feel faint, lie down until the reaction passes. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help. Also, drinking alcohol may make it worse. Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.

Your blood pressure needs to be checked regularly while you are taking this medicine. You will need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

A dry cough is common with this medicine. If the cough changes or becomes bothersome, talk to your healthcare provider. Do not take nonprescription cough medicines. The cough will go away after you stop taking the medicine.

If you have any sign of infection, such as a sore throat or fever, contact your healthcare provider.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (swelling of the lips, tongue or throat; hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; trouble breathing).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain, fainting, severe drowsiness, fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, mouth sores, sore throat, irregular or fast heartbeat, yellowish eyes or skin, very dry mouth, extreme thirst, vomiting, muscle cramps, trouble urinating or decreased urination, severe weakness, severe stomach pain, eye pain, decrease in vision.

Other: Stomach upset, diarrhea, tiredness, dizziness, lightheadedness, loss of appetite, headache, dry cough.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

  • ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril, lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace)
  • allopurinol (Zyloprim)
  • antiarrhythmics (medicines to treat irregular heartbeat) such as amiodarone (Cordarone) and dofetilide (Tikosyn)
  • angiotensin receptor II blockers such as candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), olmesartan (Benicar), telmisartan (Micardis), and valsartan (Diovan)
  • antacids such as Maalox, Mylanta, and Tums (take them at least 2 hours before or after this medicine)
  • aspirin or other salicylates
  • azathioprine (Imuran)
  • barbiturates such as butabarbital (Butisol), pentobarbital (Nembutal), and phenobarbital
  • calcium supplements
  • carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol)
  • cholesterol-lowering medicines such as cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid)
  • corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Celestone), corticotropin (ACTH), cortisone, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Orapred), prednisone, and triamcinolone (Aristospan, Kenalog)
  • cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral)
  • diabetes medicines such as glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), repaglinide (Prandin), and rosiglitazone (Avandia)
  • digoxin (Lanoxin)
  • diuretics (water pills) such as amiloride, bumetanide, chlorothiazide (Diuril), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), spironolactone (Aldactone), torsemide (Demadex), and triamterene (Dyrenium)
  • eplerenone (Inspra)
  • lithium (Lithobid)
  • narcotic pain medicines such as codeine, fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq), hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin, Lortab), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone), oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet, Tylox), and pentazocine (Talwin)
  • natural remedies such as alfalfa, arginine, dandelion, dong quai, ephedra, garlic, ginseng, hawthorn, horsetail, lysine, milkweed, nettle, noni juice, Siberian ginseng, and yohimbe
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), ibuprofen (Motrin, Motrin IB, Advil), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril)
  • potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium
  • pregabalin (Lyrica)

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine, unless your healthcare provider approves.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.


This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.


Developed by RelayHealth.
Medication Advisor 2012.1 published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2012-02-01
Last reviewed: 2010-12-14
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
© 2012 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
Contact KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital Call: 04-548 66 88 Contact Us Online Request an Appointment