"Capoten": how long does it take for the drug to start working?

How long does it take for Kapoten to take effect?

“Capoten” affects the functioning of the kidneys, or rather suppresses the production of an enzyme that contributes to an increase in blood pressure. This medication can be used as an emergency aid or in combination to treat any ailment. How long does Capoten last at high blood pressure? The therapeutic effect lasts for six hours. This is an average figure, since much depends on the clinical picture of the disease and the physiological characteristics of the person.

How long does it take for Kapoten to work at high blood pressure? It depends on the method of administration. If you take a tablet half an hour before your main meal and drink three or four tablets daily, the therapeutic effect will remain constant, and the tablet will begin to act after half an hour.

But sometimes it is necessary to quickly reduce blood pressure, so doctors advise placing the tablet under the tongue, because the rate of absorption into the mucous membrane is much higher. How long does it take for Kapoten to work under the tongue? Some people notice obvious relief within 5-10 minutes from the moment of administration, but in general about a third of an hour should pass.

Important! During this period of time, you need to lie down, do not perform work on complex mechanisms or require increased concentration. A sharp decrease in blood pressure can lead to weakness, dizziness and temporary clouding of consciousness.

CAPOTEN

special instructions

Before starting, as well as regularly during treatment with Capoten®, renal function should be monitored.
In patients with chronic heart failure, it is used under close medical supervision. When taking ACE inhibitors, a characteristic non-productive cough is observed, which stops after discontinuation of therapy with ACE inhibitors. In rare cases, when taking ACE inhibitors, a syndrome is observed that begins with the appearance of cholestatic jaundice, turning into fulminant hepatonecrosis, sometimes with a fatal outcome. The mechanism of development of this syndrome is unknown. If a patient receiving therapy with ACE inhibitors develops jaundice or there is a marked increase in the activity of liver enzymes, treatment with ACE inhibitors should be discontinued and the patient should be monitored. Some patients with kidney disease, especially those with severe renal artery stenosis, experience increases in serum urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations after lowering blood pressure. This increase is usually reversible upon discontinuation of therapy with Capoten®. In these cases, it may be necessary to reduce the dose of Capoten® and/or discontinue the diuretic.

During long-term use of the drug Capoten®, approximately 20% of patients experience an increase in serum urea and creatinine concentrations by more than 20% compared to the norm or baseline value.

In less than 5% of patients, especially with severe nephropathy, treatment discontinuation is required due to an increase in creatinine concentration.

The use of dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) caused by the simultaneous use of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists or aliskiren and aliskiren-containing drugs is not recommended, since it has been associated with an increased incidence of side effects such as arterial hypotension, hyperkalemia, decreased renal function (including acute renal failure). If the simultaneous use of ACE inhibitors and ARA II (dual blockade of the RAAS) is necessary, then treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a physician and with constant monitoring of renal function, electrolyte levels in the blood, and blood pressure.

The combined use of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists in patients with diabetic nephropathy is not recommended.

In patients with arterial hypertension, when using the drug Capoten®, severe arterial hypotension is observed only in rare cases; the likelihood of developing this condition increases with increased loss of fluid and salts (for example, after intensive treatment with diuretics), in patients with heart failure or on dialysis. The possibility of a sharp decrease in blood pressure can be minimized by first withdrawing (4-7 days before) the diuretic or increasing the intake of sodium chloride (about a week before starting treatment), or by prescribing the drug Capoten® at the beginning of treatment in small doses (6, 25-12.5 mg/day).

Prescribe with caution to patients on a low-salt or salt-free diet (increased risk of developing arterial hypotension) and hyperkalemia. An excessive decrease in blood pressure may occur in patients during major surgical operations, as well as when using general anesthesia agents that have a hypotensive effect. In such cases, to correct low blood pressure, measures are taken to increase the volume of circulating blood.

Excessive reduction in blood pressure due to antihypertensive medications may increase the risk of myocardial infarction or stroke in patients with coronary heart disease or cerebrovascular disease. If arterial hypotension develops, the patient should take a horizontal position with legs elevated. Intravenous administration of 0.9% sodium chloride solution may be required.

Caution should be exercised when taking ACE inhibitors in patients with mitral/aortic stenosis/hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy; in case of cardiogenic shock and hemodynamically significant obstruction, use is not recommended.

Neutropenia/agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia and anemia have been reported in patients taking ACE inhibitors. In patients with normal renal function and in the absence of other disorders, neutropenia is rare. In case of renal failure, simultaneous use of the drug Capoten® and allopurinol led to neutropenia.

The drug Capoten® should be used very carefully in patients with autoimmune connective tissue diseases, in those taking immunosuppressants, allopurinol and procainamide, especially in the presence of pre-existing renal dysfunction. Due to the fact that the majority of fatal cases of neutropenia due to ACE inhibitors developed in such patients, their blood leukocyte count should be monitored before starting treatment, in the first 3 months - every 2 weeks, then every 2 months.

In all patients, the number of leukocytes in the blood should be monitored monthly in the first 3 months after starting therapy with Capoten®, then every 2 months. If the number of leukocytes is below 4000/μl, a repeat general blood test is indicated; below 1000/μl, the drug is stopped while monitoring the patient continues. Typically, restoration of the number of neutrophils occurs within 2 weeks after discontinuation of the drug Capoten®. In 13% of cases of neutropenia, death was noted. In almost all cases, death was observed in patients with connective tissue diseases, renal or heart failure, while taking immunosuppressants, or a combination of both of these factors.

When using ACE inhibitors, proteinuria may occur, mainly in patients with impaired renal function, as well as when using high doses of drugs. In most cases, proteinuria when taking the drug Capoten® disappeared or its severity decreased within 6 months, regardless of whether the drug was stopped or not. Renal function tests (blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations) in patients with proteinuria were almost always within normal limits. In patients with kidney disease, the protein content in the urine should be determined before starting treatment and periodically throughout the course of therapy. In some cases, against the background of the use of ACE inhibitors, incl. the drug Capoten®, an increase in potassium content in the blood serum is observed. The risk of developing hyperkalemia when using ACE inhibitors is increased in patients with renal failure and diabetes mellitus, as well as those taking potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, or other drugs that cause an increase in potassium levels in the blood (for example, heparin). The simultaneous use of potassium-sparing diuretics and potassium supplements should be avoided. In addition, when using ACE inhibitors simultaneously with thiazide diuretics, the risk of hypokalemia cannot be excluded, therefore, in such cases, regular monitoring of potassium levels in the blood during therapy should be carried out.

When performing hemodialysis in patients receiving ACE inhibitors, the use of high-permeability dialysis membranes (for example, AN69) should be avoided, since in such cases the risk of developing anaphylactoid reactions increases. Anaphylactoid reactions have also been reported in patients undergoing low-density lipoprotein removal (apheresis) with dextran sulfate. The use of either a different class of antihypertensive drugs or a different type of dialysis membrane should be considered.

In rare cases, during therapy with ACE inhibitors, life-threatening anaphylactoid reactions were observed in patients undergoing desensitization with hymenoptera venom (bees, wasps). In such patients, these reactions were prevented by temporarily stopping ACE inhibitor therapy. Particular care should be taken when desensitization is performed in such patients.

If angioedema develops, the drug is discontinued and careful medical observation is carried out until the symptoms disappear completely. Angioedema of the larynx can be fatal. If the swelling is localized on the face, special treatment is usually not required (antihistamines can be used to reduce the severity of symptoms); if the swelling spreads to the tongue, pharynx or larynx and there is a threat of developing airway obstruction, epinephrine (adrenaline) should be immediately administered subcutaneously (0.3-0.5 ml in a dilution of 1:1000). In rare cases, patients after taking ACE inhibitors experienced angioedema of the intestine, which was accompanied by abdominal pain (with or without nausea and vomiting), sometimes with normal values ​​of C-1-esterase activity and without previous facial edema. Intestinal edema should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with complaints of abdominal pain while taking ACE inhibitors.

In representatives of the Negroid race, cases of the development of angioedema were noted with greater frequency compared to representatives of the Caucasian race.

In patients with diabetes mellitus receiving hypoglycemic agents (oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin), glycemic levels should be carefully monitored, especially during the first month of therapy with ACE inhibitors.

ACE inhibitors are less effective in blacks than in Caucasians, which may be due to the higher prevalence of low renin activity in blacks.

During major surgery or when using general anesthesia agents that have a hypotensive effect, patients taking ACE inhibitors may experience an excessive decrease in blood pressure. And in these cases, you can increase the volume of circulating blood.

When taking the drug Capoten®, a false-positive reaction may occur when testing urine for acetone.

What do the instructions say?

As medical practice shows, this drug is most often prescribed by doctors as part of complex therapy for the treatment of arterial hypertension. The mechanism of action is very simple. Our kidneys produce an enzyme that has a vasoconstrictor effect. Against this background, pressure increases and the load on the heart muscle increases. “Capoten” is aimed specifically at minimizing the production of such an enzyme. And a decrease in pressure is just a consequence of a complex chemical process.

List of indications:

• heart failure;
• arterial type hypertension;
• diabetic nephropathy;
• heart attacks;
• renal pathologies.

If we are talking about the treatment of any of the listed ailments, then the appointment of “Capoten” is the exclusive prerogative of the doctor. But in emergency situations, a person makes his own decisions. One tablet is enough, but there are cases when the pressure level has exceeded 200. You can take two tablets under the tongue, but you must take a break of at least half an hour.

On a note! Before taking Capoten again, you should measure your blood pressure. If it stabilizes to a normal level, taking a second tablet is not necessary.

Reception features

You will not find such information in the annotation. A doctor can advise you on the correct use of Capoten in emergency cases. In general, the tablets are taken whole, but in order to speed up the action, they are placed under the tongue, chewed or crushed to a powdery consistency.

Admission rules:

• Before taking the Capoten tablet, you should take a sitting position;
• rinse the mouth with filtered water to remove food debris;
• The entire tablet is placed under the tongue;
• after complete absorption of the medication, it is forbidden to eat, drink or smoke;
• This method of taking Capoten is strictly contraindicated in cases where a person is unconscious.

There are a number of other nuances that are worth paying attention to. “Kapoten” cannot always help a person. In some cases, this medication will cause harm if taken without taking into account existing contraindications.

List of contraindications:

• swelling of an allergic nature;
• cardiac ischemia;
• circulatory disorders in parts of the brain;
• stenosis;
• connective tissue diseases;
• excess potassium in the body;
• liver and kidney pathologies.

Before taking the Capoten tablet in an emergency, you should make sure that the person does not suffer from the above ailments. Otherwise, taking the drug can only aggravate the clinical situation and have a negative effect on the body.

Achieved effect

The medicine underwent clinical trials, during which its effectiveness was proven.

According to the instructions, Glycine helps:

• reduce psycho-emotional stress, conflict, aggressiveness, increase social adaptation;
• improve mood;
• make it easier to fall asleep;
• increase mental performance;
• reduce vegetative-vascular disorders;
• reduce the severity of brain disorders in traumatic brain injury and ischemic stroke;
• reduce the toxic effects of drugs and alcohol.

Overdose is possible

As has already been mentioned several times, when taking such a medication, blood pressure levels sharply decrease. Such surges also have a negative impact on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Therefore, no doctor will advise self-medication. Uncontrolled use of Capoten can lead to the development of complicated consequences, overdose and the manifestation of side symptoms. If possible, always coordinate the use of such medications with a specialized doctor. After conducting a comprehensive examination, assessing the clinical picture and physiological characteristics, the doctor will select the safest and most effective medication, and also describe a regimen for its administration.

If Capoten is taken in excess of the prescribed dosage, side effects will not take long to appear. Their list is huge.

Side symptoms:

• pain in the epigastric region;
• bowel dysfunction;
• the appearance of swelling;
• dry cough;
• increased heart rate;
• anemia;
• drowsiness;
• sudden increase in body temperature, etc.