Generic Name: benazepril (ben AY ze pril)
Brand Names: Lotensin
What is benazepril?
Benazepril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme.
Benazepril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Benazepril may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about benazepril?
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Benazepril could cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of benazepril. Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking benazepril, unless your doctor has told you to.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking benazepril. Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking benazepril?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to benazepril or to any other ACE inhibitor, such as captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take benazepril, tell your doctor if you have:
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
heart disease or congestive heart failure;
diabetes; or
a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Benazepril could cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Benazepril can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 years old.
How should I take benazepril?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Benazepril can be taken with or without food.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking benazepril. Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking benazepril. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store benazepril at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
See also: Benazepril dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of a benazepril overdose may include feeling extremely dizzy or light-headed, or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking benazepril?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of benazepril. Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking benazepril, unless your doctor has told you to.
Benazepril side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
feeling light-headed, fainting;
urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
tired feeling, muscle weakness, and pounding or uneven heartbeats;
chest pain;
swelling, rapid weight gain; or
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
cough;
dizziness, drowsiness, headache;
nausea, constipation; or
mild skin itching or rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Benazepril Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day, in patients not receiving a diuretic.
Maintenance dose: 20 to 40 mg/day orally in 1 to 2 divided doses.
Some patients appear to have a further response to 80 mg, but experience with this dose is limited.
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetic Nephropathy:
Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day (5 mg if on a diuretic).
Maintenance dose: 20 to 40 mg per day orally in 1 to 2 divided doses.
Dosage may be titrated upward every 3 days.
Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure:
Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day (5 mg if volume depleted or hypotensive).
Maintenance dose: 20 to 40 mg orally per day in 1 to 2 divided doses.
Dosage should be increased, over a 3 day or longer period, to a dose that is maximal and tolerated but not exceeding 40 mg/day.
Usual Adult Dose for Left Ventricular Dysfunction:
Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day (5 mg if volume depleted or hypotensive).
Maintenance dose: 20 to 40 mg orally per day in 1 to 2 divided doses.
Dosage should be increased, over a 3 day or longer period, to a dose that is maximal and tolerated but not exceeding 40 mg/day.
What other drugs will affect benazepril?
Before taking benazepril, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
gold injections to treat arthritis;
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth;
a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con;
salt substitutes that contain potassium; or
a diuretic (water pill).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with benazepril. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
More benazepril resources
- Benazepril Side Effects (in more detail)
- Benazepril Dosage
- Benazepril Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Benazepril Drug Interactions
- Benazepril Support Group
- 5 Reviews for Benazepril - Add your own review/rating
- benazepril Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Benazepril Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Benazepril MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Benazepril Hydrochloride Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Lotensin Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Lotensin Consumer Overview
Compare benazepril with other medications
- Diabetic Kidney Disease
- Heart Failure
- High Blood Pressure
- Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist has information about benazepril written for health professionals that you may read.
See also: benazepril side effects (in more detail)
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