What common adverse effect should a patient be informed of when starting captopril therapy?

When starting captopril therapy, one of the common adverse effects that patients should be informed about is a dry cough. This side effect occurs in some individuals as a result of the mechanism through which captopril works. Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and it prevents the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. This leads to increased levels of bradykinin, a peptide that can irritate bronchial tissues and result in a persistent dry cough in susceptible individuals.

This is an important point for patients to understand, as it can affect adherence to medication if they are not prepared for this potential side effect. Although other options may present with adverse effects related to different medications or conditions, a dry cough is notably associated with captopril and is a significant factor for healthcare providers to discuss with their patients beginning this treatment.