Captopril/hydrochlorothiazide (By mouth)

Captopril (KAP-toe-pril), Hydrochlorothiazide (hye-droe-klor-oh-THYE-a-zide)

Treats high blood pressure (hypertension). This medicine is a combination of an ACE inhibitor and a thiazide diuretic.

Brand Name(s):

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to captopril or hydrochlorothiazide. Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to sulfa drugs, or other blood pressure medicines such as enalapril, lisinopril, Accupril®, Altace®, Lotensin®, Lotrel®, Monopril®, Prinivil®, Vasotec®, or Zestril®. Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant, or if you have problems urinating.

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach, 1 hour before you eat a meal.
Be sure to drink plenty of fluids if you exercise, sweat more than usual, or have diarrhea or vomiting. Most adults should drink at least 6 to 8 (eight-ounce) cups of water each day.

If a dose is missed:

Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

There are many other drugs that can interact with captopril/hydrochlorothiazide. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using, especially any other blood pressure medicines or diuretics ("water pills"). Examples of diuretics include furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, triamterene, Aldactone®, Dyrenium®, Dyazide®, Hyzaar®, Lasix®, Maxzide®, Midamor®, and Moduretic®.
You should not use lithium together with captopril/hydrochlorothiazide, unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium without asking your doctor.
Avoid using narcotic pain relievers, phenobarbital, or other sedatives.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breast feeding, or if you have lupus, scleroderma, polychondritis, or Behcet's syndrome. Tell your doctor if you have asthma, allergies, congestive heart failure, gout, diabetes, liver disease, or kidney disease, or if you are on dialysis.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeat.
Confusion, weakness, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, or numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips.
Dark-colored urine or pale stools, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach.
Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting.
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
Increase in how much or how often you urinate.
Lightheadedness or fainting.
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Cough.
Hot, dry skin.
Increased sweating.
Mild skin rash.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017