Zorkaptil 25 mg and 50 mg tablets – use for high blood pressure and heart conditions

Zorkaptil 25 mg and 50 mg is a medicine containing the active substance captopril. Captopril belongs to a group of medicines known as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors.

The medicine helps blood vessels widen and allows blood to flow more easily. It is used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, certain clinically stable patients after a myocardial infarction and diabetic kidney disease. Zorkaptil must be used only according to an individually prescribed treatment plan.

Zorkaptil – what is it used for and how should it be taken?

What is Zorkaptil used for?

Zorkaptil may be used in the treatment of:

• mild to moderate arterial hypertension;
• severe hypertension when standard treatment is unavailable or insufficiently effective;
• congestive heart failure;
• clinically stable patients following a myocardial infarction;
• diabetic nephropathy in certain patients with type 1 diabetes.

Captopril may be used alone or in combination with other medicines. The combination, dose and dosing schedule must be determined by a doctor based on the diagnosis, blood pressure, kidney function and other medicines being taken.

How should Zorkaptil be taken?

The tablets are taken by mouth before, during or after a meal and swallowed with a glass of water. Take the medicine at approximately the same time each day and exactly according to the schedule prescribed by your doctor.

• The dose is individual and depends on the condition being treated.
• The maximum recommended daily dose of captopril is 150 mg, divided into the prescribed number of doses.
• Older adults and patients with impaired kidney function usually require lower starting doses.
• The 25 mg and 50 mg tablets can be divided into two equal doses.
• Do not increase the dose or take an additional tablet because of a single high reading unless instructed by a doctor.
• Do not stop treatment on your own, even when blood pressure readings are within the target range.

If a dose is missed: continue with the next dose according to the prescribed schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.

When should Zorkaptil not be taken?

Do not take this medicine:

• if you are allergic to captopril, another ACE inhibitor or any of the other ingredients;
• if you have previously experienced angioedema involving the face, lips, tongue, throat or limbs;
• after the third month of pregnancy; its use is also not recommended during early pregnancy;
• during breastfeeding without an individual medical assessment;
• with aliskiren if you have diabetes or impaired kidney function;
• at the same time as, or shortly after, sacubitril/valsartan because of the increased risk of angioedema.

Special warnings and precautions

Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, low blood pressure, heart valve disease, another heart condition, an electrolyte imbalance, diabetes or a blood disorder, or if you are receiving haemodialysis.

Blood pressure, kidney function and potassium levels may need to be checked before and during treatment. The risk of a marked fall in blood pressure is increased by dehydration, severe vomiting, diarrhoea, a strict low-salt diet or concurrent use of diuretics.

Before surgery, dental surgery or anaesthesia, tell the doctor, dentist and anaesthetist that you are taking captopril.

Zorkaptil may cause dizziness or light-headedness, especially at the beginning of treatment, after a dose change or when alcohol is consumed. Do not drive or operate machinery if these symptoms occur.

Interactions with medicines and supplements

It is particularly important to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking:

• potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes or potassium-sparing diuretics;
• spironolactone, amiloride, triamterene, trimethoprim, co-trimoxazole, ciclosporin or heparin;
• diuretics or other blood-pressure-lowering medicines;
• angiotensin II receptor blockers or aliskiren;
• ibuprofen, indometacin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines;
• lithium, tricyclic antidepressants or other psychiatric medicines;
• allopurinol, probenecid or procainamide;
• insulin or oral diabetes medicines;
• immunosuppressants, cytotoxic medicines or mTOR inhibitors;
• racecadotril or vildagliptin.

This list is not complete. Taking potassium or potassium-containing products without medical advice is particularly risky because captopril may increase the level of potassium in the blood.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning a pregnancy. Treatment will usually be changed before pregnancy or as soon as pregnancy is confirmed. Zorkaptil is not recommended during early pregnancy and must not be used after the third month because it may seriously harm the unborn baby.

Captopril passes into breast milk. Use during breastfeeding must be assessed by a doctor, with particular caution for newborn and premature infants.

Possible side effects

Common side effects may include:

• a dry, irritating and non-productive cough;
• dizziness and difficulty sleeping;
• itching or a skin rash;
• nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort or pain;
• diarrhoea or constipation;
• dry mouth;
• altered or reduced sense of taste;
• difficulty breathing;
• hair loss.

Uncommon effects may include low blood pressure, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, chest pain, tiredness, weakness, angioedema and changes in blood circulation in the fingers or toes.

If more Zorkaptil has been taken than prescribed

An overdose may cause a severe fall in blood pressure, a slow heartbeat, electrolyte disturbances, circulatory shock, kidney failure and drowsiness. Contact emergency medical services or the nearest hospital immediately and take the medicine pack with you.

How to store Zorkaptil

• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Store below 25°C.
• After first opening, keep Zorkaptil 50 mg in its original container and use it within six months.
• Do not use after the expiry date.
• Return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects pharmaceutical waste.

Composition

Each Zorkaptil 25 mg tablet contains 25 mg of captopril. Each Zorkaptil 50 mg tablet contains 50 mg of captopril.

The other ingredients are lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, maize starch and stearic acid. Patients with an intolerance to certain sugars should consult a doctor before use.

Official sources:

• ALIMS – Patient Information Leaflet for Zorkaptil 25 mg and 50 mg
• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics for Zorkaptil 25 mg and 50 mg

Patient information leaflet approved: October 2023. The leaflet was corrected under a decision dated 30 September 2024. Information prepared on 1 August 2026.