Captopril Captopril is a competitive inhibition of the enzyme that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II from angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE

= Angiotensin Converting Enzyme). Benefits of captopril is treating hypertension and heart failure, due to the effects of rennin-system suppression angiotensin-aldosterone. The enzyme rennin is synthesized by the kidney is released into the blood, where it will alter rennin plasma globulin substrate to angiotensin I, a relatively inactive decapeptide. And then Angiotensin I change the enzymatically by ACE into angiotensin II octapeptide, a powerful endogenous vasoconstrictor effect. Angiotensin II also stimulates aldosterone secretion from the adrenal cortex causing sodium and fluid retention. Captopril prevent changes angiotensin I into angiotensin II by inhibiting ACE and is visible to a decrease in angiotensin II, and increased plasma reninn activity (PRA).
Increased plasma renin as a result of the missing negative feedback when the release of renin caused by the decrease in angiotensin II. Decrease Angiotensin II causes by decrease in aldosterone secretion, subsequently resulting in a slight increase in serum potassium along with sodium and fluid loss. After oral administration, absorption take a place rapidly and reached peak levels in the blood within one hour. The presence of food in the digestive tract can reduce absorption of the drug to 40%. Captopril effect is a decrease in peripheral resistance arteries in hypertensive patients without any change. Renal blood flow increased, but glomerulus filtration rate is usually unchanged. Decrease in blood pressure usually reaches a maximum within 60-90 minutes after oral administration. Duration of drug effects related to dose. Decrease in blood pressure can occur in a progressive. So to achieve maximum therapeutic effects required treatment in a few weeks. Blood pressure lowering effects of captopril and tiaziddiuretic is to be additive. The level of blood pressure reduction in both standing and lying position is the same. Orthostatic effects and tachycardia are infrequent but can occur in people who "volume depleted." .Stopping the drug suddenly no association with the rapid increase in blood pressure. In patients with heart failure captopril can decrease peripheral resistance and blood pressure, reduce lung capillary pressure, the pressure of the lung blood vessels, increase cardiac output and work tolerance time. Effect occurred after the first dose and continued throughout treatment. Can be used singly or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs, especially diuretics and digitalis. initial dose of 12.5 mg-25 mg, 3 times daily. if the decrease in blood pressure has not achieved after 1-2 weeks, the dose may be increased to 50 mg, 2-3 times daily.

Use in pregnancy may cause disturbances of organs, it can even cause death of the fetus and neonate. watch carefully when giving in women who are breastfeeding.