Captopril Polfarmex

Leaflet attached to the packaging: patient information

Captopril Polfarmex 12.5 mg, tablets

Captopril Polfarmex 25 mg, tablets

Captopril Polfarmex 50 mg, tablets

(Captoprilum)

Read the leaflet carefully before taking the medicine, as it contains important information for the patient.

• Keep this leaflet, so you can read it again if you need to.
• If you have any doubts, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed specifically for you. Do not pass it on to others. The medicine may harm another person, even if their symptoms are the same.
• If the patient experiences any side effects, including any side effects not listed in this leaflet, they should tell their doctor or pharmacist. See section 4.

Table of contents of the leaflet

• 1. What is Captopril Polfarmex and what is it used for
• 2. Important information before taking Captopril Polfarmex
• 3. How to take Captopril Polfarmex
• 4. Possible side effects
• 5. How to store Captopril Polfarmex
• 6. Package contents and other information

1. What is Captopril Polfarmex and what is it used for

DO NOT USE IN PREGNANT WOMEN
Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It blocks the conversion of inactive angiotensin I to active angiotensin II. In patients with hypertension, blocking the synthesis of angiotensin II causes a decrease in blood pressure, while inhibiting tissue renin-angiotensin systems reduces left ventricular hypertrophy.
In heart failure, due to decreased peripheral resistance, captopril reduces the heart's workload and improves the patient's condition.
In diabetic nephropathy, it reduces proteinuria.
Captopril Polfarmex is indicated for use in:

• hypertension,
• chronic heart failure with impaired left ventricular function, in combination with diuretics and, if appropriate, digitalis glycosides and beta-adrenergic blockers,
• asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction ≤ 40%) after myocardial infarction in patients with stable clinical condition,
• diabetic nephropathy.

2. Important information before taking Captopril Polfarmex

When not to take Captopril Polfarmex:

• if the patient is hypersensitive (allergic) to captopril or any other angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6),
• angioedema caused by treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors,
• hereditary or idiopathic angioedema,
• if the patient has diabetes or kidney problems and is being treated with a blood pressure-lowering medicine containing aliskiren,
• second and third trimester of pregnancy,
• breastfeeding.

Warnings and precautions

Before starting treatment with Captopril Polfarmex, discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist.

• if the patient is taking any of the following medicines for high blood pressure:
• angiotensin receptor antagonist (ARB) (also known as sartans - e.g., valsartan, telmisartan, irbesartan), especially if the patient has kidney problems related to diabetes.
• aliskiren,
• if the patient has low blood pressure,
• in patients with heart failure,
• in patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis or stenosis of the artery of a single functioning kidney,
• in cases of impaired renal function (creatinine clearance ≤ 40 ml/min),
• if, during the first week of treatment, angioedema of the extremities, face, lips, mucous membranes, tongue, glottis, or larynx occurred. Angioedema of the tongue, glottis, or larynx may be fatal,
• if a cough occurred,
• if jaundice developed or liver enzyme levels increased,
• in patients with renal failure,
• in patients with diabetes,
• in patients taking potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, or salt substitutes containing potassium, or other medicines that increase potassium levels,
• in patients taking lithium,
• if the patient has been desensitized with hymenoptera venom,
• in patients undergoing hemodialysis using high-flux membranes or low-density lipoprotein apheresis,
• in patients undergoing surgical procedures or anesthesia using agents that cause hypotension,
• in patients with congenital galactosemia, glucose-galactose malabsorption, or lactase deficiency,
• if the patient is black. The doctor may monitor kidney function, blood pressure, and electrolyte levels (e.g., potassium) at regular intervals.

Captopril Polfarmex and other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are taking now or recently, and about any medicines you plan to take.
Your doctor may need to change the dose and/or take other precautions:

• if you are taking an angiotensin receptor antagonist (ARB) or aliskiren (see also the information under the headings "When not to take Captopril Polfarmex" and "Warnings and precautions"). Captopril Polfarmex should be used with caution if:
• you are taking potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, or salt substitutes containing potassium,
• you have been treated with high doses of diuretics (thiazides or loop diuretics),
• you are taking nitroglycerin and other nitrates or other vasodilators,
• you are taking lithium,
• you are being treated with tricyclic antidepressants/antipsychotics,
• you are taking allopurinol, procainamide, cytostatics, and immunosuppressants,
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are taken concurrently,
• you are taking sympathomimetic agents,
• you are taking antidiabetic drugs.

Captopril can be used safely with:

• common antihypertensive drugs (e.g., beta-blockers and long-acting calcium channel blockers), with acetylsalicylic acid (in cardiac doses), thrombolytics, beta-blockers, and/or nitrates in patients with myocardial infarction.

Clinical chemistry (medical analysis):

• Captopril may cause a false-positive test result for acetone in the urine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to have a child, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
Captopril Polfarmex is not recommended during the first trimester of pregnancy. When pregnancy is planned or confirmed, alternative treatment should be initiated as soon as possible.
The medicine should not be taken during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Prolonged exposure to captopril during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy is toxic to the fetus (renal dysfunction, oligohydramnios, delayed ossification of the skull) and the newborn (renal failure, hypotension, hyperkalemia).
Captopril Polfarmex should not be taken during breastfeeding.

Driving and using machines:

The ability to drive vehicles and operate machinery may be impaired, especially during the initial treatment period, after dose changes, and when combined with alcohol. This depends on individual patient susceptibility.

Captopril Polfarmex contains lactose and sodium

The medicine contains lactose. If you have previously been diagnosed with intolerance to some sugars, you should consult your doctor before taking the medicine. Captopril Polfarmex 12.5 mg contains 0.01785 g of lactose (0.008925 g of glucose and 0.008925 g of galactose), Captopril Polfarmex 25 mg contains 0.0357 g of lactose (0.01785 g of glucose and 0.01785 g of galactose), and Captopril Polfarmex 50 mg contains 0.0714 g of lactose (0.0357 g of glucose and 0.0357 g of galactose) per tablet.
This should be taken into account in patients with diabetes.
Captopril Polfarmex contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per tablet, which means the medicine is considered "sodium-free".

3. How to take Captopril Polfarmex

Take this medicine always as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. If you are unsure, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
The recommended maximum daily dose is 150 mg per day.
The medicine can be taken before, during, and after meals.

Hypertension:

The recommended initial dose is 25-50 mg, taken twice a day. The dose may be gradually increased, at intervals of at least two weeks, to a dose of 100-150 mg/day in two divided doses to achieve the target blood pressure. Captopril can be used as a single agent (monotherapy) or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, such as thiazide diuretics.
A daily dose of captopril may be used in combination therapy with antihypertensive agents such as thiazide diuretics.
In patients with high activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (hyperolemia, renovascular hypertension, cardiac decompensation), it is recommended to start treatment with a dose of 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg taken once a day. The start of treatment should be closely monitored. Subsequent doses are given twice a day. The dose may be gradually increased to 50 mg or 100 mg per day and given in one or two divided doses.

Heart failure:

Treatment of heart failure with captopril should be closely monitored by a doctor.
Dosing usually starts with 6.25 mg to 12.5 mg given two or three times a day.
Transition from a maintenance dose to a maximum dose of 150 mg per day in divided doses should be based on the individual patient's clinical response. The dose should be increased gradually, at intervals of at least 2 weeks, as long as the patient tolerates it.

Myocardial infarction:

Short-term treatment:treatment with Captopril Polfarmex should start in the hospital as soon as possible, once the patient is stable.
The initial dose is 6.25 mg, followed by 12.5 mg after 2 hours and 25 mg 12 hours later.
Then, 100 mg of captopril should be given in two divided doses for 4 weeks, provided that no adverse hemodynamic reactions occurred.
At the end of the 4-week treatment period, before deciding to start post-infarction treatment, the patient's condition should be assessed.
Long-term treatment:if captopril treatment was not started within 24 hours of a severe myocardial infarction, it is recommended to start treatment between the 3rd and 16th day, provided that the appropriate conditions are met (stable hemodynamics, complete diagnosis of residual ischemia). Treatment should start in the hospital under close medical supervision until a dose of 75 mg is reached. The initial dose must be small, especially if the patient shows normal or low blood pressure during the initial treatment phase. Treatment should start with a dose of 6.25 mg to 12.5 mg given three times a day for 2 days, then 25 mg given three times a day, provided that no adverse hemodynamic changes occurred. To achieve a cardioprotective effect during long-term treatment, a dose of 75 mg to 150 mg per day in two or three divided doses is recommended. In the case of symptomatic hypotension, as occurs in heart failure, the dose of diuretic and/or other vasodilator may be reduced in relation to the fixed dose of captopril.
Captopril can be used in combination with other agents used in heart failure, such as thrombolytics, beta-blockers, or acetylsalicylic acid.

Diabetic nephropathy type I:

The recommended dose is 75 mg to 100 mg in divided doses.
If additional blood pressure reduction is indicated, an antihypertensive agent may be used.

Renal failure:

Due to the fact that captopril is excreted mainly by the kidneys, the dose should be reduced or the dosing intervals should be increased in patients with impaired renal function. If concomitant therapy with diuretics is necessary in patients with severe renal failure, loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide) are preferred over thiazide diuretics.
In patients with renal failure, the daily dose may be adjusted to avoid captopril accumulation.

Elderly patients

As with other antihypertensive agents, therapy should start with the lowest initial dose (6.25 mg twice a day) in elderly patients with possible impaired renal function and dysfunction of other organs.
The dose should be adjusted based on the patient's blood pressure and should be used as the lowest maintenance dose.

Use in children and adolescents

The efficacy and safety of captopril have not been fully evaluated. Use of this medicine in children and adolescents should be under close medical supervision. The initial dose should be 0.3 mg/kg body weight. For patients requiring special attention (children with impaired renal function, preterm infants, newborns, and infants, as their renal function is different from that of older children and adults), the initial dose should be 0.15 mg/kg body weight. Captopril is usually given to children three times a day, but the dose and dosing intervals should be individualized based on the patient's condition.

Overdose of Captopril Polfarmex

Overdose symptoms: severe hypotension, shock, stupor, bradycardia, electrolyte disturbances, renal failure.
If an overdose occurs, absorption of the medicine should be prevented (e.g., by performing gastric lavage, administering adsorbents and sodium sulfate within 30 minutes of taking the medicine). Immediately after the overdose, the medicine should be rapidly eliminated from the body.
In the event of hypotension, the patient should be placed in a shock position and quickly given a saline solution intravenously. Administration of angiotensin II should also be considered. In the event of bradycardia or adverse vagal reactions, atropine should be given. A pacemaker may also be considered.
Captopril can be removed from the body by hemodialysis.

Missed dose of Captopril Polfarmex

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Side effects reported after taking captopril and/or ACE inhibitors:

Blood and lymphatic system disorders:

Very rare: neutropenia/agranulocytosis, pancytopenia – especially in patients with impaired renal function, anemia (including aplastic anemia and hemolytic anemia), thrombocytopenia, lymph node enlargement, eosinophilia, autoimmune diseases, and/or positive ANA test result.

Metabolism and nutrition disorders:

Rare: anorexia.
Very rare: hyperkalemia (high potassium levels in the blood), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels).

Psychiatric disorders:

Frequent: sleep disturbances.
Very rare: disorientation, depression.

Nervous system disorders:

Frequent: taste disturbances, dizziness.
Rare: somnolence, headaches, and paresthesias.
Very rare: cerebrovascular incidents, such as stroke, syncope.

Eye disorders:

Very rare: blurred vision.

Cardiac disorders:

Uncommon: tachycardia or tachyarrhythmia, angina pectoris, palpitations.
Very rare: cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock.

Vascular disorders:

Uncommon: hypotension, Raynaud's syndrome, flushing, pallor.

Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders:

Frequent: dry, irritating (non-productive) cough, dyspnea.
Very rare: bronchospasm, nasal mucosal inflammation, allergic alveolitis/eosinophilic pneumonia.

Gastrointestinal disorders:

Frequent: nausea, vomiting, gastric irritation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth.
Rare: oral mucosal inflammation/aphthous ulcers.
Very rare: tongue inflammation, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis.

Hepatobiliary disorders:

Very rare: liver dysfunction and cholestasis (including jaundice), hepatitis (including necrosis), increased liver enzyme levels, and bilirubin levels.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:

Frequent: itching with or without rash, rash, and hair loss.
Uncommon: angioedema.
Very rare: urticaria, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, photosensitivity, erythroderma, pemphigoid (an autoimmune skin disease with blisters and rashes), and exfoliative dermatitis.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders:

Very rare: muscle pain, joint pain.

Renal and urinary disorders:

Rare: renal function disorders, including renal failure, polyuria, oliguria, increased frequency of urination.
Very rare: nephrotic syndrome.

Reproductive system and breast disorders:

Very rare: impotence, gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men).

General disorders:

Uncommon: chest pain, fatigue, malaise.
Very rare: fever.

Investigations:

Very rare: proteinuria, eosinophilia, increased serum potassium levels, decreased serum sodium levels, elevated BUN (blood urea nitrogen), increased serum creatinine and bilirubin levels, decreased hemoglobin, leukocytes, thrombocytes, decreased hematocrit, positive ANA test result, elevated ESR.

Reporting side effects

If you experience any side effects, including any side effects not listed in this leaflet, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Drug Safety Monitoring, Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products, Al. Jerozolimskie 181C, 02-222 Warsaw, tel: +48 22 49 21 301, fax: +48 22 49 21 309, website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl. Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Captopril Polfarmex

Keep the medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging.
Store in a temperature below 25°C.
Store in the original packaging.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.
Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer needed. This will help protect the environment.

6. Package contents and other information

What Captopril Polfarmex contains

• The active substance of the medicine is captopril. One tablet contains 12.5 mg, 25 mg, or 50 mg of captopril.
• The excipients are: microcrystalline cellulose (type 102), lactose monohydrate, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, magnesium stearate, anhydrous colloidal silica.

What Captopril Polfarmex looks like and contents of the pack

Captopril Polfarmex is a tablet.
12.5 mg tablets – the pack contains 30 tablets.
25 mg or 50 mg tablets – the pack contains 30, 40, or 90 tablets.
OPA/Al/PVC//Al blisters in a cardboard box.

Marketing authorization holder and manufacturer

Polfarmex S.A.
ul. Józefów 9
99-300 Kutno
Phone: 24 357 44 44
Fax: 24 357 45 45
email: polfarmex@polfarmex.pl
Date of last revision of the leaflet:November 2021.