Captopril

Captopril is a drug from the group of so-called angiotensin-conversion enzyme(ACE) inhibitors. Its average half-life is about 2.0 h.

ACE inhibitors inhibit the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), a peptidase involved in the conversion of angiotensin-I to angiotensin-II. Angiotensin-II is an endogenous substance that binds to the receptors of the blood vessels and thus leads to vasoconstriction. The result is an increase in blood pressure. Captopril prevents the formation of angiotensin-II, thereby causing the blood vessels to relax and lowering blood pressure. In addition, it develops effects on the heart that lead to an economization of the heart's work.

Unlike other ACE inhibitors, Captopril is not a prodrug. It is characterized by a very rapid effect. Captopril binds with high affinity to ACE.

Captopril is used for

non organ-related high blood pressure (essential hypertension)

mild to moderate heart failure (NYHA II to III) after acute (2 to 9 days old) heart attack,

Patients with non-diabetic glomerular nephropathy (creatinine clearance < 70 ml/min/1.73 m2 , protein excretion in urine > 1 g/day) - especially if arterial hypertension is present at the same time.

kidney diseases associated with diabetes (glomerular diabetic nephropathy with microalbuminuria or macroproteinemia)

following a heart attack (myocardial infarction) with consecutive heart failure

Patients with an increased cardiovascular risk, e.g. manifest coronary heart disease), diabetes mellitus with at least one additional risk factor, circulatory disorders of the limbs (peripheral arterial occlusive disease) or a history of stroke.