Captopril — emergency treatment for uncomplicated hypertensive crisis

An uncomplicated hypertensive crisis is a condition of severely elevated blood pressure without acute damage to target organs such as the brain, heart or kidneys. In such cases, it is crucial to reduce blood pressure to a safe level of 160/100 mmHg within 24 to 48 hours to stabilize the patient and minimize the risk of complications.

According to the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine № 1581* dated September 12, 2024, «On the approval of the Unified clinical protocol of primary and specialized medical care Hypertension (Arterial hypertension)», medications based on captopril, including Captopril produced by Astrapharm, are recommended as first-line treatment of uncomplicated hypertensive crises.

Key benefits of Captopril:

• rapid onset of action: blood pressure begins to decrease within 60–90 minutes after oral administration;
• convenient dosage form: tablets are easy to chew or dissolve under the tongue;
• proven effectiveness: widely used in medical practice for decades and listed in national treatment guidelines.

How to use Captopril?

In the case of a hypertensive crisis, the recommended therapeutic dose is 25 mg. If necessary, the dose may be repeated after 90 to 120 minutes. However, sublingual administration should be avoided, as it is impossible to predict the degree of blood pressure reduction — in some cases, it may be too rapid or excessive.

Important: self-administration of the medicine in critical situations is not allowed without medical consultation, especially if the crisis is accompanied by chest pain, limb weakness or speech disorders. In such cases, an ambulance must be called immediately.

The drug is dispensed on prescription only.

Astrapharm — the art of helping people!

* https://moz.gov.ua/storage/uploads/16883422-f721-4d41-af37-15ea3f753322/dn_1581_12092024_dod.pdf