Benace online

Generic Name: benazepril

Brand Names: Lotensin

Item info:

Benazepril belongs to the drug class called angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, otherwise known as ACE inhibitors, used primarily to lower elevated blood pressure.

Drug class:  angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)

Interactions:

Benazepril may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If you are taking benazepril, use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, notify your physician and avoid these activities.

Taking alcohol with benazepril may be hazardous as may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness and dizziness.

Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking benazepril except under the supervision of your physician.

Ensure proper and ample fluid intake when taking benazepril as heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes of fluid loss may lead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting during therapy with benazepril.

Inform your physician BEFORE taking benazepril if you are taking any of the following drugs. You may require either a dosage adjustment, special monitoring during treatment, or may not take benazepril altogether if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others;
• salt substitutes that contain potassium;
• any of the diuretics (water pills) triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide), spironolactone (Aldactone), or amiloride (Midamor);
• any other diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, others), furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), indapamide (Lozol), and others; or
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others).

Other drugs not listed here may also have an interaction with benazepril. Consult with your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Side effects

Stop taking benazepril and seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• chest pain;
• an irregular heartbeat or changes in your heartbeat;
• severe dizziness or fainting; or
• signs of an infection including a sore throat or a fever.

Inform your physician to see if you can continue taking benazepril if you experience any of the following less serious side effects:

• headache;
• mild dizziness or lightheadedness;
• fatigue;
• dry, tickling cough;
• anxiety or depression;
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs;
• nausea or constipation;
• taste disturbances; or
• itching, rash, or increased sweating.

Prescription needed / OTC

Rx only

Dosage

Take benazepril only as prescribed by your physician. If you do not understand the directions, ask your physician, nurse, or pharmacist to to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Benazepril can be taken with or without food.
Do not stop taking benazepril unless specified by your physician as a sudden stop in the dosage may make your condition worse

Contraindications

Inform your physician if you have an allergic reaction that results in the swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat or difficulty breathing BEFORE taking benazepril, as benazepril may increase the risk of a severe allergic reaction. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any severe allergic reaction while taking benazepril.

If you have any of the conditions listed below, you may need to either have a dosage adjustment, special monitoring during treatment, or may not take benaprezil at all. Inform your physician BEFORE taking benazepril if you have:

• have kidney disease;
• are on a salt-restricted diet or have high levels of potassium in your blood;
• are taking salt substitutes, potassium supplements (e.g., K-Dur, Klor-Con), or potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone); or
• have scleroderma or lupus.

Benazepril is classified as FDA pregnancy category D, meaning benazepril is known to harm an unborn baby. Benaprezil may cause injury and even death to the developing fetus if taken during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Do not take benazepril if you are pregnant.

If you are breastfeeding a baby, consult with your physician first before taking benaprezil. It is not known whether benazepril passes into breast milk.

Storage

Store benazepril at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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