Patient was educated on the side effects of using Captopril as follows:
- Dehydration
- Captopril by inhibiting secretion of aldosterone, results in water loss from the body.
- This can lead to fluid volume depletion and symptoms of dehydration.
- Low sodium levels
- Captopril by inhibiting secretion of aldosterone, results in sodium loss from the body. This can lead to hyponatremia (low sodium levels in blood).
- Side effects include nausea and vomiting, extreme lethargy, muscle cramps, weakness, and fatigue secondary to increased sodium loss from the body.
- Reduced blood flow to end organs
- Deficient fluid volume in the body contributes to reduced blood volume and can lead to reduced blood flow to end organs, such as, heart, kidney, and brain.
- Long-term continuation of these symptoms can result in episodes of acute chest pain due to reduced blood supply to heart muscle, acute renal failure, and stroke.