Captopril, sold under the brand name Capoten among others, is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used for the treatment of hypertension and some types of congestive heart failure. Captopril was the first oral ACE inhibitor found for the treatment of hypertension. It does not cause fatigue as associated with beta-blockers. Due to the adverse drug event of causing hyperkalemia, as seen with most ACE Inhibitors, the medication is usually paired with a diuretic. Captopril was patented in 1976 and approved for medical use in 1980. Structure–activity relationship
Captopril has an L-proline group which allows for it to be more bioavailable within oral formulations. The thiol moiety within the molecule has been associated with two significance adverse effects: the hapten or immune response. This immune response, also known as agranulocytosis, can explain the adverse drug events which may be seen in captopril with the allergic response, which would be: hives, severe stomach pain, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.In terms of interaction with the enzyme, the molecules thiol moiety will attach to the binding site of the ACE enzyme. This will inhibit the port at which the angiotensin-1 molecule would normally bind, therefore inhibiting the downstream effects within the renin-angiotensin system. Medical uses
Captoprils main uses are based on its vasodilation and inhibition of some renal function activities. These benefits are most clearly seen in:

Hypertension
Cardiac conditions such as congestive heart failure and after myocardial infarction
Preservation of kidney function in diabetic nephropathy.Additionally, it has shown mood-elevating properties in some patients.
Spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma is a subtype of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma first described by Cavazzana, Schmidt and Ninfo in 1992. This subtype has a more favorable clinical course and prognosis than usual embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma typically occurs in young males and most commonly occurs in paratesticular soft tissue, followed by the head and neck. == References ==