Health Centres - Ecopace (captopril)
How does it work?
Ecopace 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?
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High blood pressure
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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
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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.
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