Lotensin
Benazepril
Benazepril (ben AY ze pril) is a generic medication prescribed for high blood pressure in adults and certain children. Benazepril belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
Benazepril (ben AY ze pril) is a generic medication prescribed for high blood pressure in adults and certain children. Benazepril belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 40mg
- • 30 Tablets
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Updated on July 20, 2023
Benazepril (ben AY ze pril) is a generic medication prescribed for high blood pressure in adults and certain children. Benazepril belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm and death
Benazepril oral tablet has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm and death. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for benazepril” section.
Side effects
Side effects of benazepril
Benazepril may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of benazepril and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about benazepril’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for benazepril listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with benazepril are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about benazepril’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for benazepril listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Benazepril oral tablet’s mild side effects include:
- cough
- dizziness
- headache
- sleepiness
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for benazepril” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of benazepril are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about benazepril’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for benazepril listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, benazepril’s serious side effects include:
- high potassium levels
- kidney problems
- liver problems
- low blood pressure
- boxed warning: risk of fetal harm and death*
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for benazepril” section.
FAQs
Common questions about benazepril
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about benazepril.
Can benazepril be used in dogs?
Sometimes. Veterinarians may prescribe benazepril to treat some conditions in dogs and other animals.
To learn more about using benazepril in animals, talk with your pet’s veterinarian. Do not give benazepril or any other medication to a pet without talking with your vet.
What brand names are available for benazepril?
Benazepril is available as the brand-name medication Lotensin.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that 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 versions.
To learn more about Lotensin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is benazepril similar to lisinopril?
Yes, benazepril is similar to lisinopril. They’re both angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. So they have similar side effects and warnings. They’re both used to treat high blood pressure, but lisinopril has some additional approved uses. This includes treating certain heart conditions.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out more about how these two drugs compare.
How does benazepril work? And how long does it take to start working?
Benazepril works by blocking an enzyme called angiotensin-converting enzyme. (An enzyme is a type of protein.) Stopping this enzyme from working causes blood vessels to relax and widen. This lowers blood pressure.
Benazepril will start working within a couple of hours of taking it. But it can take a few weeks to have its maximum effect on blood pressure.
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Uses
Uses of benazepril
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as benazepril for certain conditions. Approved uses for benazepril are described below.
Use for lowering blood pressure
Doctors may prescribe benazepril oral tablet for treating high blood pressure. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 6 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.
With high blood pressure, most people don’t have symptoms. This means you can have high blood pressure and not know it unless you check it regularly. It’s important to check your blood pressure regularly. This is because having high blood pressure increases the risk of life threatening problems, such as heart attack or stroke. Lowering blood pressure with medications, such as benazepril, lowers the risk of these problems.
Doctors will not prescribe benazepril oral tablet in certain situations. This includes people who have had angioedema (sudden swelling under the skin) in the past.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for benazepril
Below, you’ll find information about benazepril’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of benazepril
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take benazepril, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for benazepril” section below.
Warnings for benazepril
Some people should not take benazepril, and others should take it cautiously.
Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm and death
Benazepril has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm and death. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Pregnancy or breastfeeding and benazepril” section below.
Other warnings
Benazepril could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether benazepril is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for benazepril, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Benazepril can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to benazepril or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe benazepril, or they may recommend that you do not take benazepril. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- severe skin rashes that may blister and peel
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to benazepril, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of benazepril
If you take benazepril by mouth, you should not take more benazepril than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
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 concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and benazepril
Information about benazepril and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Benazepril and pregnancy
Benazepril should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with benazepril.
Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm or death
Benazepril has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm or death. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Taking benazepril during pregnancy can cause harm or death to the fetus. For example, the drug may cause problems with the fetus’s kidneys, bones, or lungs. It could also cause fetal death. Tell your doctor immediately and stop taking benazepril as soon as possible if you become pregnant.
To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Benazepril and breastfeeding
In general, benazepril is considered safe to take while breastfeeding. That said, ask your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about benazepril or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How does benazepril compare to other angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors?
- What is the most important information I need to know about benazepril?
- Am I at higher risk of side effects than other people?
Resources
Resources
- Benazepril hydrochloride tablet, coated. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/240b76c7-9f09-45df-990e-abf927a4c58a/spl-doc
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). 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.
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