Benazepril

Benazepril

Pronunciation: ben-AZ-e-pril

Generic Name: Benazepril

Brand Name: Lotensin

Do NOT take Benazepril if you are pregnant. Benazepril can cause injury and possibly death to a fetus when used after the third month of pregnancy. Talk with your doctor at once if you think that you are pregnant.

Benazepril is used for:

Treating high blood pressure. It may be used alone or with other blood pressure medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Benazepril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It works by decreasing a chemical that tightens blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to relax (dilate), which lowers blood pressure.

Do NOT use Benazepril if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Benazepril or to any other ACE inhibitor (eg, lisinopril)

you have a history of angioedema (eg, swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness)

you are pregnant

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Benazepril:

Some medical conditions may interact with Benazepril. Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

if you have or have ever had liver or kidney problems, kidney transplantation, or diabetes

if you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), scleroderma or a collagen vascular disease (ask your doctor if you are not sure), bone marrow suppression, low blood counts, low blood pressure, low blood sodium, high blood potassium, or narrowing or hardening of the arteries of the brain, or if you are dehydrated

if you are scheduled to have surgery or to receive anesthesia or kidney dialysis

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Benazepril. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Dextran sulfate or thiazide diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of serious damage to the kidney (eg, decreased urine output, weight gain) may be increased

Lithium because the risk of toxic side effects (eg, tiredness; confusion; slurred speech; muscle tremors, spasms, weakness, or involuntary movements; seizures; loss of consciousness; coma) may be increased by Benazepril

Indomethacin because it may decrease Benazepril's effectiveness

Insulin or oral diabetes medicine (eg, glyburide) because the risk of side effects, including low blood sugar levels (eg, hunger, shakiness or weakness, dizziness, headache, sweating), may be increased by Benazepril

Potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, amiloride) or potassium supplements because the risk of side effects, including high blood potassium levels resulting in listlessness, confusion, abnormal skin sensations of the arms and legs, heaviness of limbs, slow or irregular heartbeat, or stopping of the heart, may be increased

Certain gold-containing medicines (eg, sodium aurothiomalate) because flushing, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure may occur

Thiopurines (eg, azathioprine) because the risk of their side effects (eg, a low white blood cell count, increase in infections) may be increased by Benazepril

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Benazepril may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Benazepril:

Use Benazepril as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Take Benazepril by mouth with or without food.

Taking Benazepril at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.

Drink plenty of fluids while taking Benazepril. Not drinking enough fluids or excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting can lead to lightheadedness or fainting.

For children who cannot swallow tablets, ask your doctor or pharmacist about preparing a suspension of Benazepril.

If you miss a dose of Benazepril, 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.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Benazepril.

Important safety information:

Benazepril may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Benazepril with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Benazepril may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.

Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.

Benazepril may cause a dry, unproductive cough. This symptom usually stops after treatment with Benazepril is stopped.

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Benazepril before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.

Diabetes patients - Benazepril may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Lab tests, including blood pressure, may be performed while you use Benazepril. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

Benazepril should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.

PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Benazepril may cause fetal and newborn death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Benazepril is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Benazepril.

Possible side effects of Benazepril:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Cough; dizziness, especially when standing; headache; nausea; sleepiness; tiredness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; chills; fainting; fever; hoarseness; irregular or slow heartbeat; lightheadedness; sore throat; unusual stomach pain; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness; lightheadedness, especially when standing; weakness.

Proper storage of Benazepril:

Store Benazepril at or below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Benazepril out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

If you have any questions about Benazepril, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Benazepril is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Benazepril. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.