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Captopril for kidney stones

Healthwise
By Monica Rhodes

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Examples

Brand Name Chemical Name
Capoten

How It Works

Captopril helps keep cystine dissolved in the urine, which makes cystine kidney stones less likely to form.

Why It Is Used

Captopril is used to prevent kidney stones in people with high levels of cystine in their urine.

How Well It Works

Captopril binds to cystine and keeps it from forming stones.1

Side Effects

Side effects of captopril may include:

  • Dizziness.
  • Loss of taste.
  • Skin rash.
  • Weight loss.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Cystine stones are not as common as other types of kidney stones.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)Click here to view a form.(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

References

Citations

  1. Spector DA (2007). Urinary stones. In NH Fiebach et al., eds., Principles of Ambulatory Medicine, 7th ed., pp. 754–766. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Credits

Author Monica Rhodes
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology
Last Updated May 30, 2007
Last Updated: 05/30/2007