Generic name: benazepril [ ben-AY-ze-pril ]
Brand name: Lotensin
Dosage form: oral tablet (10 mg; 20 mg; 40 mg; 5 mg)
Drug class: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jun 16, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is benazepril?

Benazepril is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure in adults and children at least 6 years old.

Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Benazepril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Benazepril side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, severe stomach pain, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Benazepril may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• kidney problems--swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath;

• high blood potassium--nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement; or

• liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of benazepril may include:

• headache; or

• cough.

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.

Related/similar drugs

Warnings

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using benazepril and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs should not be used with benazepril.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use benazepril if you are allergic to it or to any other ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor such as captopril, fosinopril, enalapril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril.

Do not take benazepril within 36 hours before or after taking medicine that contains sacubitril (such as Entresto).

If you have diabetes, do not use benazepril together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

Do not take benazepril if you have a history of angioedema (severe allergic reaction).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, heart problems such as a recent heart attack;

• stomach pain;

• low blood pressure;

• if you are on a low-salt diet;

• diabetes;

• liver disease; or

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

You may also need to avoid taking benazepril with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Benazepril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you use the medicine during your second or third trimester.

Do not breastfeed.

How should I take benazepril?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take benazepril with or without food.

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking benazepril. This can lead to very low blood pressure, an electrolyte imbalance, or kidney failure.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often and you may need frequent blood tests. Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and other medications. Follow your doctor's instructions very carefully.

Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery.

Keep using benazepril even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Benazepril dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: With a diuretic: 5 mg orally once a day; without a diuretic: 10 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 20 to 40 mg/day orally as a single dose or in two equally divided doses
Maximum dose: 80 mg/day

Comments:
-The divided dose regimen was more effective in controlling pre-dosing blood pressure.
-If discontinuing a diuretic prior to initiating this drug to reduce the likelihood of hypotension, conclude diuretic therapy 2 to 3 days prior to starting this drug.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension:

6 YEARS OR OLDER:
Initial dose: 0.2 mg/kg orally once a day as monotherapy
Maximum dose: 0.6 mg/kg; 40 mg/day

Comments:
-Doses between 0.1 and 0.6 mg/kg once a day have been studied; doses greater than 0.1 mg/kg were shown to reduce blood pressure; doses above 0.6 mg/kg or 40 mg/day have not been studied in pediatric patients.
-Prepare a suspension for pediatric patients who cannot swallow tablets or for whom the calculated dosage does not correspond to available tablet strengths.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking benazepril?

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Do not take potassium supplements or use salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

What other drugs will affect benazepril?

Benazepril can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, or osteoporosis.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• a diuretic or "water pill" that may increase blood potassium such as spironolactone, triamterene, or amiloride;

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others;

• insulin or diabetes medications;

• medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection such as temsirolimus, sirolimus, or everolimus; or

• heart or blood pressure medication.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect benazepril, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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

Medical Disclaimer

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