Tensopril (captopril)

How does it work?

Tensopril tablets contain the active ingredient captopril, which is a type of medicine called an ACE inhibitor. (NB. Captopril is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.)

ACE inhibitors work by blocking the action of a compound in the body called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Normally ACE produces another compound called angiotensin II, as part of the body's natural control of blood pressure. Angiotensin II causes blood vessels to constrict and narrow, which increases the pressure within the blood vessels.

As captopril blocks the action of ACE, it reduces the production of angiotensin II. This means that the blood vessels are allowed to relax and widen. The overall effect of this is a drop in blood pressure, hence captopril can be used to lower high blood pressure.

The reduced pressure within the blood vessels means that the heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump the blood around the body. This means that ACE inhibitors such as captopril can be used to improve the symptoms of heart failure, where the heart is not pumping as efficiently as it should be. Captopril has also been shown to improve survival following a heart attack and to help prevent heart failure in people with a weak heart after suffering a heart attack.

What is it used for?

High blood pressure

Heart failure

Improving survival following a heart attack

Preventing symptomatic heart failure in people with a poorly functioning heart (left ventricular dysfunction) after suffering a heart attack

Diabetic kidney disease in people with type 1 diabetes.

Warning!

Some people may experience dizziness caused by low blood pressure in the first few days of taking this medicine and in particular the first dose. For this reason, the first dose should preferably be taken at bedtime. Your doctor may want you to take the first dose of this medicine under medical supervision in hospital if you are aged over 70 years, have low blood pressure, very high blood pressure, low levels of fluids or salt in your blood (eg due to dehydration), severe or unstable heart failure, kidney problems, or are taking high doses of diuretic medicines, multiple diuretic medicines, or certain other medicines that dilate your blood vessels.

If you feel dizzy during treatment this can be relieved by lying down until the symptoms pass. If affected you should avoid performing potentially hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinary. If you frequently feel dizzy you should let your doctor know, as your dose of this medicine may need reducing.

Alcohol may enhance the blood pressure lowering effect of this medicine, which can increase dizziness and may increase the risk of fainting.

ACE inhibitors can sometimes cause an allergic reaction called angioedema. This is more likely to occur in black patients. Stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor immediately if you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet or ankles while taking this medicine.

Your blood pressure, kidney function and the amount of potassium in your blood should be regularly monitored while you are taking this medicine.

If you experience any signs of infection while taking this medicine, such as flu-like symptoms, high temperature (fever), sore throat or inflammation of the lining of the mouth (stomatitis), you should tell your doctor immediately.

Use with caution in

Elderly people

Children

Decreased kidney function

Narrowing of the artery which supplies blood to the kidneys (renal artery stenosis)

Decreased fluid volume in the body, eg due to diuretic therapy, low salt diet, kidney dialysis, diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration

People also taking diuretic medicines

Heart failure

People with hardening of the arteries, eg in the heart (cardiovascular disease), brain (cerebrovascular disease) or legs (peripheral vascular disease)

Narrowing of the main artery of the body (aortic stenosis)

Narrowing of one of the valves in the heart (mitral valve stenosis)

Heart disease characterised by thickening of the internal heart muscle and a blockage inside the heart (hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy)

Diabetes

Diseases affecting connective tissue, eg scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus (collagen vascular diseases)

People with kidney failure requiring a certain type of haemodialysis (high-flux membrane)

People receiving therapy to remove certain types of fat from the blood using a machine (LDL apheresis)

People undergoing therapy to decrease allergy to bee or wasp stings (desensitisation).

Not to be used in

Allergy to other ACE inhibitors

History of swelling of the lips, face or tongue (angioedema) with no known cause, or caused by previous use of an ACE inhibitor medicine

Hereditary angioedema

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used in pregnancy, particularly in the second and third trimesters, as it may be harmful to the unborn baby. Seek further medical advice from your doctor. If you get pregnant while taking this medicine, you should consult your doctor immediately.

This medicine passes into breast milk. The manufacturer states that it should not be taken by women who are breastfeeding. Women who need treatment with this medicine should not breastfeed. Seek further medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Dizziness

Dry cough

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Dry mouth

Alteration in taste

Shortness of breath

Rash or itching

Hair loss

Fatigue

Chest pain (angina)

Faster than normal heart beat (tachycardia)

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Flushing

Headache

Pins and needles sensations (paraesthesia)

Severe swelling of lips, face, tongue or throat (angioedema - see warning above)

Increased level of potassium in the blood (hyperkalaemia)

Impotence

Disorders of the kidney, liver or blood

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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