Benazepril hcl

Benazepril

• It is used to treat high blood pressure.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Benazepril?

For all patients taking benazepril:

• If you have an allergy to benazepril or any other part of benazepril.
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have ever had a very bad or life-threatening reaction called angioedema. Signs may be swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; unusual hoarseness.
• If you have kidney disease.
• If you are taking a drug that has aliskiren in it and you also have diabetes or kidney problems.
• If you have taken a drug that has sacubitril in it in the last 36 hours.

Children:

• If your child is younger than 6 years of age. Do not give benazepril to a child younger than 6 years of age.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with benazepril.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take benazepril with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Benazepril?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take benazepril. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how benazepril affects you.
• To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
• Check your blood pressure as you have been told.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• If you are on a low-salt or salt-free diet, talk with your doctor.
• If you are taking a salt substitute that has potassium in it, a potassium-sparing diuretic, or a potassium product, talk with your doctor.
• Low white blood cell counts have happened with captopril, a drug like this one. This may lead to more chance of getting an infection. Most of the time, this has happened in people with kidney problems, mainly if they have certain other health problems. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection like fever, chills, or sore throat.
• If you are taking benazepril and have high blood pressure, talk with your doctor before using OTC products that may raise blood pressure. These include cough or cold drugs, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and some natural products or aids.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
• Be careful in hot weather or while being active. Drink lots of fluids to stop fluid loss.
• Tell your doctor if you have too much sweat, fluid loss, throwing up, or loose stools. This may lead to low blood pressure.
• This medicine may not work as well in black patients. Talk with the doctor.
• A severe and sometimes deadly reaction called angioedema has happened. The chance of angioedema may be higher in black patients.
• If you are 65 or older, use benazepril with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is this medicine (Benazepril) best taken?

Use benazepril as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food.
• Take benazepril at the same time of day.
• Keep taking benazepril as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Drink lots of noncaffeine liquids unless told to drink less liquid by your doctor.
• A liquid (suspension) can be made if you cannot swallow pills. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• If a liquid (suspension) is made, shake well before use.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with benazepril. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure benazepril.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Signs of a high potassium level like a heartbeat that does not feel normal; change in thinking clearly and with logic; feeling weak, lightheaded, or dizzy; feel like passing out; numbness or tingling; or shortness of breath.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Cough that does not go away.
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Very bad belly pain.
• Very upset stomach or throwing up.
• Liver problems have happened with drugs like this one. Sometimes, this has been deadly. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.

What are some other side effects of Benazepril?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Cough.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Benazepril?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from heat.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• If a liquid (suspension) is made from the tablets, store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze. Throw away any part not used after 30 days.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer information use

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about benazepril, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

More about benazepril

• Side Effects
• During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
• Dosage Information
• Patient Tips
• Drug Images
• Drug Interactions
• Support Group
• Pricing & Coupons
• En Español
• 15 Reviews
• Drug class: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
• FDA Alerts (1)

Consumer resources

• Benazepril

Other brands: Lotensin

Professional resources

• ... +2 more

Related treatment guides

• Diabetic Kidney Disease
• Heart Failure
• High Blood Pressure
• Left Ventricular Dysfunction