Benazepril Hydrochlorothiazide

Introduction

Written by Rachel Maynard, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Fallon Mumford, PharmD
Updated on February 8, 2024

Benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide (ben AY ze pril/hye droe klor oh THYE a zide) is a generic medication that’s prescribed to treat high blood pressure. The brand-name version of this drug is Lotensin HCT. The cost of benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide, with or without insurance, can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Read on to learn about benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

Cost of benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide

Like other medications, the cost of benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the quantity you’re prescribed

To find out how much benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, see the “Coupons for benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide” section.

Coupons for benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization: If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• Insurance coverage: The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re taking benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Lotensin HCT.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

If your doctor has prescribed benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide but you’re interested in taking Lotensin HCT, let your doctor know. They may have a reason to prescribe one medication over the other. Also, check which forms of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all forms.

To learn how the cost of benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide.  

How does the cost of benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide compare with the cost of lisinopril?

The cost of benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide compared with the cost of lisinopril depends on several different factors, such as:

• the drug’s strength
• the supply you’re prescribed, such as 30 days or 90 days
• your insurance coverage
• the pharmacy you use

It’s important to note that while both of these drugs are prescribed to treat high blood pressure, they’re not the same. A big difference is that lisinopril only contains one drug. Benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide contains two drugs.

Lisinopril is in the same class of drugs as benazepril. They’re known as ACE inhibitors. Benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide contains a second drug, hydrochlorothiazide, which is a diuretic (also known as water pills).

There’s a tablet available that combines lisinopril with hydrochlorothiazide. But how the cost compares with benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide still depends on the factors mentioned above.

If you have further questions about how the cost of these drugs compare, ask your pharmacist or doctor. There may be reasons why your doctor recommends one medication over the other. You can also read more about ways to save on the cost of blood pressure medications.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can patent and sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications. So, they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide

This article provides cost information related to benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Does my insurance cover the cost of benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide?
• Will the quantity of benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide prescribed affect my cost?
• Are there any lower cost drugs that could be used to treat my high blood pressure?
• What options do I have if I can’t afford my medication?

Resources

• Benazepril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide tablets, USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/51b0aed8-a229-4d2c-8fdf-aa957fddc41b/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm 

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.