ACE Inhibitors - side effects - anyone know much about these?

[VVVQV]

im hoping this is why my Dad has been ill and its not something much more sinister.

Which ACE inhibitor is it?

Captopril

And you're worried about the blood dyscarsias? Saw your other thread. Is that what it says in the patient information leaflet?

yes i am. he is being told he has internal bleeding somehwere (his mum died of a ruptured aortic annurism so he is justifiably worried).

The gp hasnt apparently made any connection to his BP meds. He is looking at prostate related problems (namely cancer) but the prostate itself is apparently fine. All other tests so far have proved inconclusive.

Havent read the patient leaflet, have just been (dangerously) googling.

Just looked at the leaflet, it is quite vague. This is what the SPC (info for doctors) says about blood disorders:

Blood and lymphatic disorders:

very rare: neutropenia/agranulocytosis (see 4.4), pancytopenia particularly in patients with renal dysfunction (see 4.4), anaemia (including aplastic and haemolytic), thrombocytopenia, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia, auto-immune diseases and/or positive ANA-titres.

I would have to go through that with a medical dictionary to know what it all means (and it's too late now)! But haemolytic anaemia means anaemia due to destruction of red blood cells which might be the cause of his high iron levels and low haemoglobin levels.

Can you go back to the doctor with him?

(I am not a medical doctor BTW but have some background in pharmaceuticals).

HTH. Going to bed now!

Thanks GN. I dont really understand all the terminolgy myself. I think i probably ought to go with him though. Whilst he is obviosuly a capable adult - i did notice when he was in a & e the other week that he was quite backwards in coming forwards iykwim and had to keep nudging him to mention other symptoms.

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