Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that develops when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, or the body cannot use it properly, to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells, where it is used for energy. High blood sugar can harm many body systems.
Insulin helps the body use glucose for energy and store extra sugar in muscle, fat, and liver cells. The stored sugar can be released and used for energy when needed. When insulin is not available or is not used properly, the blood sugar level rises above what is safe. If blood sugar levels remain high for years, blood vessels and nerves throughout the body may be damaged, and the person is at increased risk for eye, heart, blood vessel, nerve, and kidney disease.
Common symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, unusual weight loss, extreme fatigue, and irritability. However, in type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levels rise so slowly that a person usually does not have symptoms and may have had the disease for many years before diagnosis.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. People who develop type 2 diabetes are often overweight and not physically active. It is most common in people over the age of 40 but is becoming more common in children. Type 2 diabetes was formerly called adult-onset diabetes or non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or at least delayed if a person maintains a healthy body weight and exercises regularly. Treatment focuses on keeping blood sugar and cholesterol at safe levels. A balanced diet and regular exercise are effective for many people, but some may need one or more medications, including insulin, to help control blood sugar levels.Diabetic retinopathy, a common complication of diabetes, may cause poor vision or even blindness

You can slow the progression of your complication from type 1 diabetes and prevent or delay other complications by keeping your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible.

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) in diabetes occurs when the sugar (glucose) level in the blood rises above normal. For a person who has diabetes, high blood sugar may be caused by missed diabetes medication (insulin or pills), eatingYou may find that soon after you are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes your blood sugar levels return to normal. You are in what is called the "honeymoon period." The remaining insulin-producing cells in your pancreas are working harder to

If you are at risk for developing hypoglycemia, you need to know about health conditions or situations that may lead to low blood sugar and how to d
If you have diabetes, you can reduce the chances of developing nephropathy, or slow the disease if you already have it, by working with your health professional to keep your blood sugar levels within a safe range.2 Your health profess
eal with them
. Proper attention to your health and lifestyle can help you prevent hypo

medicine

Do not take captopril if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, captopril can cause injury to, and even death of, the developing baby. Notify your doctor immediately if you think you might be pregnant.
Captopril may increase the risk of dangerous allergic reactions. Before taking captopril, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction that involved swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat or difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop any of these symptoms while taking captopril.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Captopril may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities and notify your doctor. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes of fluid loss may lead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting during therapy with captopril. Maintain proper fluid intake to prevent dehydration and related side effects.

What is captopril?
Captopril is in a class of drugs called angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors).
Captopril is used to lower blood pressure, to relieve symptoms of congestive heart failure (shortness of breath, swelling of the legs), to improve survival after a heart attack, and to prevent kidney disease in some diabetic patients.
Captopril may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking captopril?
Captopril may increase the risk of dangerous allergic reactions. Before taking captopril, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction that involved swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat or difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop any of these symptoms while taking captopril.
Before taking captopril, tell your doctor if you
have kidney disease;
have liver disease;
are on a salt-restricted diet or have high levels of potassium in your blood;
are taking a salt substitute, potassium supplement (e.g., K-Dur, Klor-Con), or potassium-sparing diuretic such as amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone);
have diabetes;
have scleroderma or lupus; or
have any type of heart disease or have had a stroke.
You may not be able to take captopril, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Captopril is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that captopril is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, captopril can cause injury to, and even death of, the developing baby. Do not take captopril if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Captopril passes into breast milk and its effects on a nursing baby are not known. Do not take captopril without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take captopril?
Take captopril exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Take captopril on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals unless your doctor directs otherwise.

Do not stop taking captopril without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking this medication suddenly, your condition could become worse.
It is important to take captopril regularly to get the most benefit.
Your doctor may want you to have blood pressure monitoring or other medical evaluations during treatment with captopril to monitor progress and side effects.

Store captopril at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
Symptoms of a captopril overdose include extreme dizziness, weakness, fainting, and fatigue.

What should I avoid while taking captopril?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Captopril may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities and notify your doctor. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking captopril.

Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking captopril except under the supervision of your doctor.
Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes of fluid loss may lead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting during therapy with captopril. Maintain proper fluid intake to prevent dehydration and related side effects.

What are the possible side effects of captopril?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking captopril and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
difficulty breathing;
little or no urine;
an irregular heartbeat or changes in your heartbeat;
chest pain;
severe dizziness or fainting; or
signs of an infection including a sore throat or a fever.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take captopril and talk to your doctor if you experience
headache;
mild dizziness or lightheadedness;
fatigue;
dry, tickling cough;
anxiety or depression;
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs;
upset stomach;
taste disturbances; or
a rash.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect captopril?
Before taking captopril, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others;
a salt substitute that contains potassium;
a diuretic (water pill) such as triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide), spironolactone (Aldactone), amiloride (Midamor), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, others), furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), indapamide (Lozol), and others;
a nitrate such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Transderm-Nitro, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, others), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO), isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil, Sorbitrate);
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others);
digoxin (Lanoxin); or
aspirin or indomethacin (Indocin).
You may not be able to take captopril, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with captopril or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist has additional information about captopril written for health professionals that you may read.

What to the pills look like?
Captopril is available with a prescription under the brand name Capoten. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
Capoten 12.5 mg--oval, white tablets
Capoten 25 mg--rounded, square, white tablets
Capoten 50 mg--oval, white tablets
Capoten 100 mg--oval, white tablets

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children. Never share your medicines with others and only use this medication for the condition prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.