How to Take Captopril 25mg Tablet
Captopril 25mg should be taken one hour before meals, typically two to three times daily, with dosing individualized based on your condition and blood pressure response. 1
Timing Relative to Meals
- Take captopril on an empty stomach, one hour before meals, as food significantly reduces the bioavailability and absorption of the medication 1, 2
- Food intake decreases peak plasma concentrations and the area under the curve (AUC) of captopril, though some studies suggest blood pressure control may still be maintained 3
- The FDA labeling explicitly states captopril tablets should be taken one hour before meals 1
Standard Dosing Frequency
- For hypertension, the typical starting dose is 25mg two or three times daily (bid or tid) 1
- If blood pressure control is inadequate after 1-2 weeks, the dose may be increased to 50mg two or three times daily 1
- The usual effective dose range is 25-150mg two or three times daily, with a maximum daily dose of 450mg 1
Special Considerations for Dosing Intervals
- Twice-daily dosing of captopril 25mg may not provide adequate 24-hour blood pressure control, as antihypertensive effects persist for only 6 hours after dosing, not the full 12-hour interval 4
- Three-times-daily dosing is generally preferred for consistent blood pressure control throughout the day 1
- Peak blood concentrations occur approximately 45-60 minutes after oral administration 2
Clinical Monitoring
- Blood pressure should be measured regularly to assess response, particularly 1-6 hours after dosing when maximal effects occur 4, 3
- The elimination half-life of unchanged captopril is approximately 2 hours, though total captopril (including inactive disulfides) may accumulate with repeated dosing 2