Drug NameLotensin (Benazepril) Drug UsesLotensin can be used alone in treating high blood pressure. Its blood pressure lowering effect can be further enhanced by the addition of a diuretic medication. Lotensin HCT is an example of a medication which combines the effect of benazepril with a thiazide type diuretic (water pill) in treating hypertension. By reducing resistance in the arteries, lotensin can be useful in the treatment of congestive heart failure. How to useMay be taken on an empty or full stomach. Drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water daily while you are taking this medication. Drug Class and MechanismLotensin is an ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor. ACE is an enzyme in the body which is important for the formation of angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes constriction of arteries in the body, thereby elevating blood pressure. ACE inhibitors such as lotensin lower blood pressure by inhibiting the formation of angiotensin II, thus relaxing the arteries. Relaxing the arteries not only lowers blood pressure, but also improves the pumping efficiency of a failing heart and improves cardiac output in patients with heart failure. Missed DoseIf you miss a dose of Zyvox, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. Storage Tablets should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed container. Possible Side EffectsLotensin is generally well tolerated and side effects are usually mild and transient. A dry, persistent cough has been reported with the use of lotensin and other ACE inhibitors. Coughing resolves after discontinuing the medication. Other side effects are rare and include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, loss of taste, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, easy bruising or bleeding, chest pain, chills, difficulty breathing, severe dizziness or fainting, fever, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, rash, and a sore or swollen throat. In rare instances, liver dysfunction and skin yellowing (jaundice) have been reported with ACE inhibitors. More InformationDo not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions.
If you will be taking this medicine for an extended period of time, be sure to obtain necessary refills before your supply runs out. Warnings/PrecautionsLotensin should not be taken by people with a known allergy to ACE inhibitors. Swelling of the facial tissues and even the upper airways has been reported with ACE inhibitors on very rare occasions, and can lead to serious breathing difficulties. Lotensin can interact with diuretics (water pills) and other blood pressure medicines to cause an excessive drop in blood pressure, which can result in symptoms of weakness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Worsening of kidney function has been reported with ACE inhibitors, especially in patients with severe heart failure or pre-existing kidney disease. Combining lotensin with potassium supplements, potassium containing salt substitutes, and potassium conserving diuretics such as amiloride (Moduretic), spironolactone (Aldactone), and triamterene (Dyazide, Maxzide), can lead to dangerously high blood levels of potassium. Indomethacin (Indocin) and possibly other anti-inflammatory medications may decrease the blood pressure lowering effect of lotensin. In rare instances, low white blood cell counts have been reported with the use of another ACE inhibitor. Low white blood cells increase the patient's risk of infections. When taken with lithium, lotensin can increase lithium to toxic levels in the blood. Safe use in children is not established. It is not habit forming. ACE inhibitors, including lotensin, can be harmful to the fetus and should not be taken by pregnant women.
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 purposes other than those 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 benazpril, tell your doctor if you have:
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kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
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liver disease;
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heart disease or congestive heart failure;
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diabetes; or
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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.
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:
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feeling light-headed, fainting;
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urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;
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fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
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pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
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severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
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tired feeling, muscle weakness, and pounding or uneven heartbeats;
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chest pain;
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swelling, rapid weight gain; or
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jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
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cough;
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dizziness, drowsiness, headache;
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nausea, constipation; or
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mild skin itching or rash.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect benazepril?
Before taking benazepril, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
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lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
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insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth;
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a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con;
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salt substitutes that contain potassium; or
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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.
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist has information about benazepril written for health professionals that you may read.
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