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Captopril Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 12, 2023.

Applies to the following strengths: 12.5 mg; 25 mg; 50 mg; 100 mg

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension

Initial dose: 25 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day one hour before meals

Maintenance dose: May increase every 1 to 2 weeks up to 50 mg orally three times a day. If blood pressure remains uncontrolled after 1 to 2 weeks at this dose, add a thiazide diuretic (loop diuretic if severe renal impairment exists) and titrate to its highest usual antihypertensive dose before further increases of captopril.

Maximum dose: 450 mg/day

Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure

Initial dose: 25 mg orally three times a day (6.25 to 12.5 mg orally three times a day if hypotensive, hyponatremic, or hypovolemic)

Target maintenance dose: 50 mg orally three times a day for at least two weeks to ensure a satisfactory response

Maximum dose: 450 mg/day

Comments:

Usual Adult Dose for Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Initial dose: 6.25 mg orally once as early as three days post-myocardial infarction, followed by 12.5 mg orally three times a day; increase to 25 mg orally three times a day over the next several days, and then increase to target dose over the next several weeks as tolerated.

Target maintenance dose: 50 mg orally three times a day

Use: To improve survival following myocardial infarction in clinically stable patients with left ventricular dysfunction manifested as an ejection fraction of 40% or less and to reduce the incidence of overt heart failure and subsequent hospitalizations for congestive heart failure in these patients.

Usual Adult Dose for Diabetic Nephropathy

25 mg orally three times a day

Comments: Other antihypertensives may be used in conjunction with this drug if additional blood pressure reduction is required.

Use: Treatment of diabetic nephropathy (proteinuria greater than 500 mg/day) in patients with type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and retinopathy.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertensive Emergency

25 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day; continue diuretic therapy and stop other antihypertensives upon initiation of this drug; may increase dose every 24 hours or less until satisfactory blood pressure or maximum dose is reached.

Renal Dose Adjustments

Reduce initial dose and titrate using 1 to 2 week intervals. This drug should be used at the lowest effective dose.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Precautions

US BOXED WARNING:


Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice: Should be taken 1 hour before meals.

Monitoring:


Patient advice:

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.