Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects known to be associated with captopril. Just because a side effect is stated here doesn't mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Common side effects (affect between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people)
- Dizziness or feeling light-headed. This is more likely when you first start taking captopril or after any dose increases. If you feel dizzy, lie down until this passes.
- Dry, tickly cough.
- Shortness of breath.
- Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain.
- Dry mouth.
- Change in sense of taste.
- Rash or itching.
- Hair loss.
- Sleep disorders.
Uncommon side effects (affect between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 people)
- Feeling tired or generally unwell.
- Chest pain.
- Fast heartbeat (tachycardia) or palpitations.
- Low blood pressure (hypotension).
- Looking pale.
- Narrowing of the blood vessels in the hands or feet leading to periods of white, painful fingers or toes (Raynaud's syndrome).
- Severe swelling of lips, face, tongue or throat (an allergic reaction called angioedema). Stop taking captopril and consult a doctor immediately if you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet or ankles.
Rare side effects (affect between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 10,000 people)
- Pins and needles sensations (paraesthesia).
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss.
- Mouth ulcers.
- Problems with kidney function.
Very rare (affect fewer than 1 in 10,000 people)
- Increased level of potassium in the blood (hyperkalaemia).
- Low blood sugar level (hypoglycaemia).
- Disturbances in the normal levels of blood cells in the blood. Tell your doctor if you get a sore throat, mouth ulcers, high temperature (fever), or feel tired or generally unwell while taking captopril. You may need to have a blood test to check your blood cells.
- Problems with liver function, including jaundice or hepatitis. Consult your doctor promptly if you develop unexplained itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusually dark urine, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pains, loss of appetite or flu-like symptoms while taking captopril.
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
- Impotence (erectile dysfunction).
- Severe skin reactions, including increased sensitivity of the skin to light.
- Blurred vision.
If you want any more information about the possible side effects of captopril you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist, or read the leaflet that comes with the medicine. If you think you have experienced a side effect, did you know you can report this using the yellow card website?
What monitoring will I need?
- Your blood pressure, kidney function and the amount of potassium in your blood should be regularly monitored while you're taking captopril.
- What is captopril used for and what should I know?
- How do I take captopril?
- Who shouldn't take captopril?
- Can I take other medicines with captopril?
Last updated: 21.02.2017