Captopril for heart failure

This leaflet is about the use of captopril in children with heart failure.

This leaflet has been written specifically about the use of this medicine in children. The information may differ from that provided by the manufacturer. Please read this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again.

Name of drug

Captopril
Common brands: Ecopace®, Kaplon®, Tensopril®, Capoten®

Why is it important for my child to take this medicine?

Captopril will help your child’s heart to work better so that they have fewer symptoms of heart failure, such as difficulty breathing and poor growth.

What is captopril available as?

  • Tablets: 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg
  • Liquid medicine can be ordered specially from your pharmacist but it may take up to 3 weeks to supply.

When should I give captopril?

Captopril is usually given three times a day. This should be first thing in the morning, early afternoon and at bedtime. Try to make sure that these times are at least 4 hours apart.
Give the medicine at about the same times each day so that this becomes part of your child’s daily routine, which will help you to remember.

How much should I give?

Your doctor will work out the amount of captopril (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label.

It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to give.

How should I give it?

Tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water, milk or juice. Your child should not chew the tablets. You can crush the tablet and mix it with a small amount of soft food such as yogurt, honey or jam. Make sure your child swallows it straight away, without chewing.

Liquid medicine: Shake the medicine well. Measure out the right amount using an oral syringe or a medicine spoon. You can get these from your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.

When should the medicine start working?

Captopril may make your child’s blood pressure fall for a short while after each dose and they may feel dizzy or faint. If this happens, they should sit or lie down for a while after taking a dose.

What if my child is sick (vomits)?

  • If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a dose of captopril, give them the same dose again.
  • If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after having a dose of captopril, you do not need to give them another dose. Wait until the next normal dose.

What if I forget to give it?

If you miss a dose, wait until the next normal dose. Do not give the missed dose.

Never give a double dose of captopril.

What if I give too much?

It can be dangerous to give too much captopril because it may make your child’s blood pressure fall.

If your child feels faint or dizzy, cold and sweaty, or has a weak or rapid heart rate (they may feel as though their heart is racing or fluttering), or they begin to breathe
quickly, contact your doctor or take your child to hospital straight away.

If you think you may have given your child too much captopril, contact your doctor or NHS Direct (0845 4647) or take your child to hospital.

Take the medicine container or packet with you, even if it is empty. This will be useful to the doctor. Have the packet with you if you telephone for advice.

Are there any possible side-effects?

We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side-effects).

Side-effects you need to know about

If your child gets a rash in the first 2 weeks of taking captopril, contact your doctor straight away, as they may be allergic to captopril. Do not give any more medicine until you have spoken to your doctor.

  • Your child may feel dizzy or light-headed when they stand up, or may even faint. Encourage them to stand up slowly, and to sit or lie down if they feel dizzy or lightheaded.
  • Your child may get flushing (reddening of the face and neck).
  • Your child may feel sick or be sick (vomit). Giving the medicine with some food may help. This effect should wear off after a few days as your child’s body gets used to the medicine. If it is still a problem after a week, contact your doctor for advice.
  • Your child may develop a dry cough that doesn’t go away. If it becomes a problem, contact your doctor for advice, but continue to give captopril as normal.

Can other medicines be given at the same time as captopril?

  • You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.
  • Captopril should not be taken with some other medicines that affect the kidneys or blood pressure. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any other medicines that your child is taking before starting captopril.
  • You must also tell your doctor and pharmacist that your child is taking captopril before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal or complementary medicines.

Is there anything else I need to know about captopril?

  • Treatment with captopril is usually started in hospital, so that its effects on your child can be monitored carefully and the right dose worked out.
  • Your doctor will do blood tests to make sure that your child’s kidneys are working well. They will also check your child’s blood pressure regularly.
  • When you get a new prescription of liquid medicine, check what strength medicine you have and how much to give your child, as this may be different from the previous batch.

General advice about medicines

  • Try to give medicines at about the same times each day, to help you remember.
  • If you are not sure a medicine is working, contact your doctor but continue to give the medicine as usual in the meantime. Do not give extra doses as you may do harm.
  • Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the same, as this could do harm.

If you think someone else may have taken the medicine by accident, contact your doctor straight away.

  • Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run out.
  • Make sure that the medicine you have at home has not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.

Where I should keep this medicine?

  • Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
  • Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
  • Keep the medicine in the container it came in.

Who to contact for more information

Your child’s doctor, pharmacist or nurse will be able to give you more information about captopril and about other medicines used to treat heart failure in children.


You can also get useful information from:


Publication Date

17/11/2011

Copyright Disclaimer

Version 1.2, February 2010 (November 2011). © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild 2010, all rights reserved.

The primary source for the information in this leaflet is the British National Formulary for Children. For details on any other sources used for this leaflet, please contact us through our website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk
We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply to other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading this leaflet.