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Supplement × Prescription·Evidence index

Captopril and Zinc: what the research found

PubMed indexes 8 records that name Captopril and Zinc together, either in the title or in an interaction, co-administration, or pharmacokinetic context. The key findings come first, in the authors’ own words, followed by every study with its design and PubMed link.

A summary of published research, not medical advice. A pharmacist can check any combination against your full list of medicines and supplements.

Key findings

What the studies concluded.

Reviews and human studies first. Each quote is the authors’ own conclusion about their study, not a NutriStack assessment, and a single study is not a consensus.

“It is concluded that metronidazole and tinidazole, but not captopril or valsartan resulted in a significant reduction of zinc level in rabbit, but not in human. Captopril and not valsartan caused severe degeneration in taste buds. Serum zinc level seems not to be related to taste buds changes.”

Salman et al. · 2009 · Human study · details

“Treatment of hypertensive patients with captopril or enalapril may result in zinc deficiency.”

Golik et al. · 1998 · Human study · details

“Although plasma zinc concentrations were comparable in all groups, red blood cell (RBC) zinc values were significantly decreased in the captopril group compared with the other three groups. We conclude that (1) although both captopril and enalapril produce renal zinc loss, this loss is far greater in patients receiving captopril; and (2) captopril administration over 3 months or more generates RBC zinc depletion.”

The research

8 studies naming Captopril and Zinc.

Strongest relevance first: papers naming both substances in the title, then human trials and systematic reviews.

Zinc metabolism in patients treated with captopril versus enalapril.

Metabolism: clinical and experimental · 1990 · PMID 2195291

Comparative StudyHuman subjects13 participants

“Although plasma zinc concentrations were comparable in all groups, red blood cell (RBC) zinc values were significantly decreased in the captopril group compared with the other three groups. We conclude that (1) although both captopril and enalapril produce renal zinc loss, this loss is far greater in patients receiving captopril; and (2) captopril administration over 3 months or more generates RBC zinc depletion.”

Golik et al. · From the abstract

Names both Captopril and Zinc in its title.

Serum zinc is unaffected by effective captopril treatment of hypertension.

Journal of clinical hypertension · 1987 · PMID 3330985

Clinical TrialComparative StudyControlled Clinical TrialResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

“Serum zinc and copper were unaltered by either regimen. Thus, zinc depletion is an unlikely consequence of long-term exposure to captopril, at least in the dosages commonly used for treatment of hypertension.”

O'Connor et al. · From the abstract

Names both Captopril and Zinc in its title.

Effects of metronidazole, tinidazole, captopril and valsartan on taste and serum levels of zinc and magnesium.

Saudi medical journal · 2009 · PMID 19198707

Human subjects54 participants

“It is concluded that metronidazole and tinidazole, but not captopril or valsartan resulted in a significant reduction of zinc level in rabbit, but not in human. Captopril and not valsartan caused severe degeneration in taste buds. Serum zinc level seems not to be related to taste buds changes.”

Salman et al. · Authors' conclusion

Names both Captopril and Zinc in its title.

Fluctuation of zinc, copper, magnesium and calcium concentrations in guinea pig tissues after administration of captopril (SQ 14225).

Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS) · 1997 · PMID 9176869

Animal study

“No significant changes were observed in the colon and the thigh bone concentrations of the various elements tested. In conclusion Captopril treatment can produce translocation and/or elimination of Zn, Cu, Mg and Ca ions in various tissues of guinea pigs.”

Kotsaki-Kovatsi et al. · From the abstract

Names both Captopril and Zinc in its title.

Effect of diuretics on captopril-induced urinary zinc excretion.

European journal of clinical pharmacology · 1990 · PMID 2188846

Human subjects

“The first four patient groups exhibited significantly increased urinary zinc/creatinine ratios when compared to the control and untreated hypertensive groups, but in the two combination regimens there was little zincuria. It is suggested that both diuretics inactivate the zincuric effect of captopril by binding to its sulphydryl group within the tubular lumen.”

Golik et al. · From the abstract

Names both Captopril and Zinc in its title.

Taste acuity and zinc metabolism in captopril-treated hypertensive male patients.

American journal of hypertension · 1988 · PMID 3046632

Human subjects

“These results suggest that abnormalities of taste are commonly associated with captopril therapy and may be related to changes in zinc metabolism. This is especially true in patients on long-term, high-dose captopril therapy.”

Abu-Hamdan et al. · From the abstract

Names both Captopril and Zinc in its title.

Zinc metabolism during captopril treatment.

Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme · 1985 · PMID 3891571

Human subjects

“Intraerythrocytic Zn2+ concentrations increased slightly, whereas plasma zinc concentrations decreased. The concurrence of hypozincemia with side effects resembling the symptoms of zinc deficiency such as loss of smell and taste suggests a role of alterations in zinc metabolism for the pharmacodynamics of captopril.”

Zumkley et al. · From the abstract

Names both Captopril and Zinc in its title.

Limitations

What this evidence cannot tell you.

Search-based evidence indexes have real limits, and it is worth being explicit about them:

How to read this page

A literature summary, not guidance.

NutriStack

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