Captopril and Chlorpromazine: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Chlorpromazine
No brand names on recordCaptopril
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Hypotension
Interaction Deep Dive
In one case report, the concurrent use of captopril and chlorproMAZINE resulted in acute hypotension in a hypertensive patient. ChlorproMAZINE has a synergistic effect with captopril resulting in disabling and potentially harmful hypotension. Caution should be exercised when these two drugs are used concurrently, and should perhaps be avoided in patients with existing congestive heart failure1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Synergistic antihypertensive effects
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) A 49-year old man with severe hypertension and chronic schizophrenia developed hypotension when treated with captopril 6.25 mg twice daily and chlorproMAZINE 200 mg three times daily 1. When given alone, chlorproMAZINE caused an asymptomatic decrease in supine blood pressure from 220/120 mm Hg to 190/110 mm Hg. When chlorproMAZINE was given with captopril, the supine blood pressure was reduced to 106/78 mm Hg. Standing blood pressure decreased from 160/100 mm Hg with chlorproMAZINE monotherapy to 66/48 mm Hg with combination therapy. ChlorproMAZINE has alpha-adrenergic blocking activity and has also been reported to have direct depressant effects on the myocardium, which may cause a reduction in cardiac output and blood pressure. Caution should be utilized when chlorproMAZINE is used in combination with captopril, and should perhaps be avoided in patients with preexisting congestive heart failure.
Common questions
Can I take Captopril and Chlorpromazine together?
Hypotension Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Captopril and Chlorpromazine interaction?
It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "rapid". Effects can appear quickly, often within about 24 hours of combining the drugs.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Captopril or Chlorpromazine need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?
References (1)
- White WB: Hypotension with postural syncope secondary to the combination of chlorpromazine and captopril. Arch Intern Med 1986; 146:1833-1834. DOI
Keep reading about Chlorpromazine
Keep reading about Captopril
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