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Benazepril Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Brand names: Lotensin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 16, 2023.

Benazepril Pregnancy Warnings

Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of teratogenicity. In humans, use of drugs that act on the renin angiotensin system during the second and third trimesters increases fetal and neonatal morbidity and death. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.

US FDA pregnancy category D: There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.

This drug should not be used during pregnancy unless there are no alternatives and the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.

US FDA pregnancy category: D

Comments: Adequate methods of contraception should be encouraged.

See references

Benazepril Breastfeeding Warnings

One small study has reported that following 20 mg of this drug daily for 3 days to nursing mothers, nursing infants received less than 0.14% of the mother's weight-adjusted dose, mostly as the active metabolite.

Due to low levels of this drug in breastmilk, amounts ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects.

Excreted into human milk: Yes (in small amounts)

Comments: The effects in the nursing infant are unknown.

See references

References for pregnancy information

  1. Product Information. Lotensin (benazepril). Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals. 2002;PROD.

References for breastfeeding information

  1. Product Information. Lotensin (benazepril). Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals. 2002;PROD.
  2. United States National Library of Medicine. Toxnet. Toxicology Data Network. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT 2013.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.