Skip to main content
Medically Approved

Benazepril oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

twitter share buttonfacebook share buttonlinkedin share buttonemail article button
Form and strengthsDosageFAQCouponOverdoseBoxed warning
Doctors prescribe benazepril oral tablet for high blood pressure. You take it by mouth once per day.
Medically reviewed by Christina Bookwalter PharmD, MS MEd, BCPS, BCACP
Updated on

This article describes benazepril oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for benazepril. If you want to know more about benazepril oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, and more.

Benazepril oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Lotensin.

Benazepril oral tablet has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the end of this article.

Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? For certain health conditions, Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care with no appointment required. For $25, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a board certified healthcare professional in 15 minutes or less. Get started here.

Form and strengths of benazepril

Benazepril oral tablet comes as follows:

  • Form: tablet that you swallow
  • Strengths: 5 milligrams (mg), 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg

Dosage of benazepril

This article describes the recommended dosages for benazepril oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown below.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of benazepril oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

Man on phone in bed

100% online care

Treatment plans in 15 minutes or less for 40+ conditions.

Start consult now

Usual recommended dosages of benazepril in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of benazepril oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of benazepril oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.

Dosage for high blood pressure

The recommended dosages of benazepril oral tablet for high blood pressure in adults are as follows:

  • Starting dosage: 10 mg once per day
  • Maintenance dosage: 20 to 40 mg per day, taken once per day or split into two doses and taken twice per day

If you’re taking a diuretic medication (water pill), your doctor may prescribe a lower starting dosage of 5 mg once per day.

Dosage of benazepril in children

Benazepril oral tablet is used to treat high blood pressure in children ages 6 years and older. Your child’s doctor will prescribe a dosage based on your child’s body weight.

The recommended dosage of benazepril in children is:

  • Starting dosage: 0.2 mg per kilogram (kg) once per day
  • Maintenance dosage: If needed, your child’s doctor will increase your child’s dosage slowly over time
  • Maximum dosage: 0.6 mg/kg once per day

For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about benazepril oral tablet and its dosage.

Is 40 mg of benazepril a high dose?

Possibly. Benazepril oral tablet comes in four strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg.

The recommended maintenance dosage for adults is 20 to 40 mg once per day. The drugmaker hasn’t specified what the maximum dosage of benazepril is for adults. But doctors typically don’t prescribe dosages higher than 80 mg per day for treating high blood pressure in adults.

It’s important that you take benazepril oral tablet exactly as prescribed. Taking higher doses than what your doctor prescribes may increase your risk of serious side effects.

If your current dosage of benazepril isn’t working for you, talk with your doctor.

Is benazepril taken long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe benazepril oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take benazepril oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

Benazepril coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for benazepril when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons can’t be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Pill bottle with text 'Starts at $4'

Free prescription coupons

Seriously … free. Explore prices that beat the competition 70% of the time.

Get free card

Overdose of benazepril

It’s important that you do not take more benazepril oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of benazepril overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include low blood pressure.

What to do if you take too much benazepril

If you think you’ve taken too much benazepril, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Boxed warning for benazepril

Benazepril has a boxed warning for the risk of serious harm to an unborn fetus during pregnancy. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Benazepril oral tablet can cause serious harm to an unborn fetus during pregnancy. This includes developmental issues for a fetus, or pregnancy loss. Due to this risk, you should not take benazepril if you’re pregnant or become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking this drug, stop taking it and call your doctor right away.

You can also talk with your doctor to learn more.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Article resources