Benazepril

CAUTION:
Do not take benazepril if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking benazepril, call your doctor without delay. Benazepril may harm the fetus.

General Information and Indications:

Benazepril is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Benazepril is in a class of medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It works by decreasing certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels, so blood flows more smoothly.

Information For Users:

Benazepril comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. To help you remember to take benazepril, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take benazepril exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of benazepril and slowly increase your dose.

Benazepril controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Continue taking benazepril even if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking benazepril without informing your doctor.

Special precautions:

o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergy to benazepril, captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), trandolapril (Mavik), or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: diuretics ('water pills'), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), and potassium supplements. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
o Inform your doctor if you have recently had severe diarrhea or vomiting and if you have or have ever had heart failure, kidney disease, lupus, scleroderma, or diabetes.
o Inform your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking benazepril.
o you should know that diarrhea, vomiting, not drinking enough fluids, and sweating a lot can cause a drop in blood pressure, which may cause lightheadedness and fainting.

Talk to your doctor before using salt substitutes containing potassium. If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully.

Possible Adverse Effects:

Benazepril may cause adverse effects. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:

o cough
o headache
o dizziness
o drowsiness

Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor without delay:

o swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
o hoarseness
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o lightheadedness
o fainting
o rash
o yellowing of the skin or eyes, jaundice
o fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection

Possible Symptoms of Overdose:

o dizziness
o fainting

Brand Name(s):

o Lotensin®

Other Name(s):

o Lotensin® HCT containing Benazepril Hydrochloride and Hydrochlorothiazide
o Lotrel® containing Benazepril Hydrochloride and Amlodipine Besylate