Amlodipine / benazepril for High Blood Pressure User Reviews

• 1fr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2012

Amlodipine / benazepril "I have been on Lotrel for 3 weeks and I'm having several side effects. I'm very lethargic, no energy (no energy to exercise), I even fall asleep an hour after taking the medicine. I feel depressed, my head tingles, my fasting glucose has risen at least 10 points, and the worst is I have gained 15 pounds! I had lost 30 lbs and maintained since August. It was difficult, and the weight loss was slow. My eating hasn't increased. My husband agrees. Morbid obesity can raise your blood pressure. This medicine is pulling my blood pressure down, but the side effects are essentially making things worse. This medication isn't a good fit for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 9, 2012

"I've been taking amlodipine/benazepril for over six months, and I experience knee pain, swelling of feet, and hands daily. Before this medicine, I used to walk 4 miles per day. I can barely walk two miles due to the pain in my knees. Although it has reduced my blood pressure, I cannot handle the side effects."

• Cry...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 23, 2020

"I've been on generic amlodipine with benazepril for years without any side effects. It worked well to lower my blood pressure. That was the generic from Lupin Pharmaceuticals, small pills with a LU on them. This last month, my pharmacy gave me the generic from Aurobindo Pharmaceuticals, a larger pill with a J 02 imprint on it. This has given me the worst side effects of headaches, high anxiety, weight gain, and pretty much all the other issues this medication has complaints about. It cost me more as well. Not all generics are the same, and the fillers used at Aurobindo Pharmaceuticals have horrible side effects. The drug itself, from the right place, works great. Know where your meds are coming from, and you have every right to request a manufacturer for your prescription at the pharmacy."

• HFN...
• March 9, 2012

Amlodipine / benazepril "I tried several other medicines, but Lotrel seems to be very effective in lowering my blood pressure. I have had no side effects. I am 49 years old and African American. On this medicine for 10 months now."

• Gyp...
• July 23, 2019

Amlodipine / benazepril "I was on this medication for approximately two weeks, the time given for the medication to effectively take its full course. Well, for the first week, it did its job at lowering my BP, however, if there were side effects I got from it, then it would have been the moodiness. I was tired to the point of exhaustion, hungry all the time, and that horrible dry cough was so bad I thought I was going to cough a lung out, it sounded like I was a serious smoker. Exactly on the 14th day of taking it - July 3rd - my top lip began to swell. By the time I made it to the ER, my top lip had swelled 5x its natural size. Glad I got to the hospital before I went into anaphylaxis. Come to find out I am severely allergic to both amlodipine and benazepril. Terrifying experience."

• iti...
• March 7, 2008

Amlodipine / benazepril "I have been taking Lotrel now for 9 years. I also take Synthroid with it. Granted, I have gained a lot of weight. Whereas before I weighed 140, I now weigh 205. If there is a way I can lose this weight, I will be happy to. I have problems with my left ankle, it is always swollen. Only when I can stay off of it does it go down."

• JOS...
• July 12, 2010

Amlodipine / benazepril "I have been on Lotrel for three years. I never had knee problems but never connected the medicine with the symptoms until I started searching for side effects by others. I spoke with my doctor and he has recommended lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide. See if the problem with knees will improve. Because knee pain is terrible!"

• Anonymous
• March 9, 2009

Amlodipine / benazepril "I have taken Lotrel for 9 years. It reduced my blood pressure moderately, but this month I went to the emergency room with severe swelling of my face, and my lips were huge. Was told to get off Lotrel since this ACE inhibitor can cause angioedema, which was the diagnosis. Have also had tingling of the lips and tongue for the last 4 years and now wonder if Lotrel contributed to that."

• CCa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 22, 2019

Amlodipine / benazepril "Weight gain... 30 lbs in a couple of months, along with being so lethargic I could not function. It has lowered my BP, but with this weight gain and lack of energy, it is affecting everything in my life. I am on a strict diet and exercise, and it is not moving."

• sam...
• January 7, 2008

Amlodipine / benazepril "I have developed severe swelling in my fingers. It is constant, causing numbness in the fingertips and pain in the joints - mostly in the middle of the night. I love having my blood pressure lowered, though."

• MTS...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 29, 2015

"58 y/o black female, not overweight, 5'8, 150, have used 5/10 mg since first diagnosed around age 45. No issues, no weight gain I'd attribute to this. I did weigh about 140 when I started this. No headaches, joint pain, etc., so has worked for me. BP often under 130/85. I sometimes wonder if I don't even need it anymore, but the doctor doesn't want me to stop."

• Min...
• December 22, 2007

Amlodipine / benazepril "I have severe muscle spasms in the back of my legs. I have been on it for about 2 months. My knees are fine, I just turned 50. The drug is doing its job. Sometimes I get dizzy when I get up fast or have to bend over to pick something up."

• Gyp...
• March 29, 2021

Amlodipine / benazepril "My mom weighed 163 when the new Dr. here put my mom on Lotrel. Years later she passed, and she weighed 204. I've been on it too for 10 plus years! I struggle with fatigue, nasal congestion, and constantly have to clear my throat... AND I have a problem with my weight... Weight gain... is it from the Lotrel...."

• bly...
• May 14, 2016

"The first day the doctor gave me this medication, benazepril, I was nodding all over the place, and my kids thought I was on some kind of narcotics. I'm on day three, this time I broke the pill in half. I still feel dazed but not drunk like before, and I'm still nodding out in the middle of things. I don't get it, I'm going to have to speak with my doctor and ask him why I should have to take this medication and if there is anything else I can take because I need to have my wits about me during the day."

• MOM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2019

"Works fine like it should, but many side effects felt. Felt generally weak and lack of energy after about 6 hours of taking med. In an effort to stop this, I try eating more to see if I can gain some energy, which consequently causes me to gain weight. Also, I get headaches with almost each dose."

• Anonymous
• September 8, 2011

"I tried four medicines before amlodipine/benazepril. I am a 40-year-old female. I run 20 miles a week and do yoga twice a week. I have not had any muscle or joint issues. I have had swollen and tender gums and a bad taste in my mouth that compels me to chew gum at all times (besides while I am sleeping or eating). It was the first medicine to bring down my blood pressure. So, I hope to stay on it and hope the side effects simmer down."

• Anonymous
• February 7, 2011

"Just started using this medicine 5/10 mg 3 days ago. Causes severe dizziness and coughing. Can't function well because of dizziness and feel very uncomfortable because of it. Coughing wakes both me and my husband up at night."

• Pee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2017

"After taking amlodipine 10 mg daily for 18 months, my doctor and I decided to try to kick my blood pressure down another notch. He prescribed benazepril 40 mg. Worst five days of my life; literally. I couldn't eat. Felt awful. Didn't want to move, think, or be awake."

• Anonymous
• December 2, 2011

"I have been on several medicines for high blood pressure, including amlodipine-benazepril 5/20, Coreg, lisinopril, clonidine, hydrochlorothiazide, and finally it was the combination of clonidine 0.2 twice a day with 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide once daily. My blood pressure was running 214/180-191. Now it's MUCH lower, around 145/95 ish. Hope this helps. It took forever for them to find something that was effective for pain-induced high blood pressure. Good luck, folks."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 29, 2021

Amlodipine / benazepril "Been taking this medication on and off. It brings the BP a bit down, but the side effects are horrible: coughing, pain in the knees, tired a lot, no energy, weight gain. For something that is supposed to help the symptoms, why not fix the problem instead of adding new ones?"

• the...
• September 22, 2013

"This medication was working great with an occasional headache. Then menopause started, and my internal medicine doctors switched my blood pressure meds to clonidine, and now I'm tired all the time and have gained 30 pounds in two months. My memory is getting worse, and I'm slightly depressed. I think I would rather deal with the hot flashes, occasional headache, along with swollen ankles and energy. I'm weaning myself off clonidine and going back to amlodipine besylate and hydrochlorothiazide today."

• Mea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 6, 2021

Amlodipine / benazepril "Amlodipine by itself did not work to lower my BP and caused swelling and weight gain. Lotrel, after working with my Dr to find the right dosage, has worked well for me (5/10) - normal BP and no side effects. Unfortunately, even with daily workouts and a healthy diet, I have high BP by genetics, been taking since I have been 35."

• Nik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 4, 2019

"I'm on the generic amlodipine with benazepril, and I've had swelling in the face, neck, throat, and hands. I need to know, has anyone else had an experience with swelling after having a drink of any sort with alcohol? Every time I drink alcohol, I have swelling really bad. I had to stop and think what I was taking. I then looked at the side effects of this medicine, and it's giving me the same side effects that I have."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2019

"Was given this after amlodipine alone caused much edema. This was no better. Still had edema, chest pressure, and the added delight of the “ACE inhibitor cough.” Terrible drug. I’ve been off it a week and still coughing to the point of almost throwing up."

• Rdx...
• August 30, 2021

Amlodipine / benazepril "Taking this med 5/20 for 8 days now. My systolic pressure kept between 129-139, but diastolic remains 89-95, which is not good. Plan to continue for 7 more days. If no change in diastolic, will have to consider a consultation with my doctor. As far as side effects, only minor dry mouth, some tiredness so far."