Zedace (Captopril)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Zedace Used For?
Zedace contains captopril, which belongs to a group of medicines called ACE inhibitors. These medicines work to lower your blood pressure to normal levels if it is too high.
Primary Uses
Zedace is used for treating high blood pressure (hypertension), certain heart conditions, and certain kidney conditions associated with diabetes. These are long-term (chronic) diseases, so it’s important to continue taking Zedace every day.
How It Works
ACE inhibitors work to lower your blood pressure to normal levels if it is too high. Zedace also helps your heart or kidneys work better.
Good to know: There is no evidence that Zedace is addictive or habit forming.
How to Take Zedace
Take Zedace at about the same time each day for the best effect. Take it on an empty stomach, preferably 1 hour before food, as food can interfere with absorption.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose ranges from 12.5 mg to 50 mg, two or three times a day. However, your doctor may ask you to take a different dose depending on your condition and your response to Zedace. Treatment may be started with low doses, particularly if you have heart failure. Swallow the tablets with a glass of water.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- dizziness, light-headedness, fainting
- headache
- tiredness
- dry cough
- dry mouth
- feeling sick
- diarrhea or constipation
- stomach pain
- taste disturbances
- sleep disorders
- hair loss
- itching or red rash
- muscle cramps
- confusion, nervousness
- irregular heartbeat
- numbness or tingling in hands, feet or lips
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- weakness or heaviness of the legs
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- severe dizziness or fainting
- skin and/or eyes turn yellow
- swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
- swelling of hands or feet
- shortness of breath, chest pain
- sore throat and fever
- itchy skin and/or rash
- pink or red itchy spots on skin which may blister
- ulcers, blistering and skin rashes or burning, red, peeling skin (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- not urinating as much as usual
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings to be aware of before taking Zedace. Always check with your doctor about your medical history and other medications.
Who Should Not Take Zedace
Do not take Zedace if you are allergic to captopril or another ACE inhibitor, are pregnant or may become pregnant, have ever had idiopathic angioedema or hereditary angioedema, have diabetes or impaired kidney function and are treated with aliskiren, or have taken or are currently taking sacubitril/valsartan.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have diabetes, systemic lupus erythematous, scleroderma, neutropenia, have had a heart attack, heart failure, ischaemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disease, kidney disease, liver disease, are dehydrated, or have had recent vomiting or diarrhea.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Elderly Patients: If you are elderly, you should be particularly careful when you get up from bed or from a chair, and when taking Zedace for the first time. These symptoms can be dangerous, especially in people with heart failure, angina or cerebrovascular disease.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Zedace and affect how it works. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking.
Important: If you are taking Zedace for high blood pressure, do not take any medicine for appetite control, asthma, colds, coughs, hay fever or sinus problems unless you have discussed it with your doctor or pharmacist.
- water tablets or diuretics
- lithium or lithium-containing preparations
- potassium tablets
- potassium-containing salt substitutes
- antacids
- other medicines for high blood pressure
- medicines for angina
- procainamide (for irregular heartbeat)
- cancer treatment medicines or immunosuppressant agents
- allopurinol (for gout)
- anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors)
- angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Vildagliptin
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful with alcohol consumption and driving while taking Zedace, as it may cause dizziness or light-headedness.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. If you drink alcohol, dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Zedace affects you. Zedace may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people, especially after the first dose. If this occurs, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
Store below 25°C. Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the pack they will not keep as well. Store in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Overdose Information
If you think that you or anyone else has taken too much Zedace, urgent medical attention may be needed. You should immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26) for advice, contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Zedace is used to treat long-term (chronic) diseases, so it’s important to continue taking it every day for as long as your doctor recommends. To properly control your condition, take Zedace every day, even if you feel well.
Take Zedace on an empty stomach, preferably 1 hour before food. Food can interfere with the absorption of Zedace.
No, there is no evidence that Zedace is addictive or habit forming.
Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor. Zedace treats long-term conditions, so it’s important to continue taking it as prescribed.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. If you drink alcohol, dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
If you are elderly, you should be particularly careful when you get up from bed or from a chair, and when taking Zedace for the first time. These symptoms can be dangerous, especially in people with heart failure, angina or cerebrovascular disease.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.