Benazepril: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and Safety Information

Benazepril, commonly known by the brand Lotensin, is an ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor prescribed for hypertension. It relaxes blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily, which helps lower blood pressure and reduces strain on the heart.

Common Indications

• Hypertension: The FDA-approved use for Benazepril (Lotensin) is the treatment of high blood pressure, alone or combined with other blood pressure medicines such as thiazide diuretics.

Dosage and Administration

• Standard Dose: The usual adult starting dose is 10 mg once daily, with adjustments based on response. Some patients including those taking diuretics or with significant renal impairment — may require a lower starting dose, according to the prescribing information and their doctor’s assessment.
• Route: Oral tablets, taken with or without food.
• Available Strengths: Benazepril tablets are commonly available in 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg strengths.

Important Precautions

• Symptomatic low blood pressure can occur, especially in patients who are volume-depleted — for example, from excessive diuretic use, vomiting, diarrhea, or dialysis. Correcting volume depletion before starting Benazepril, and closer monitoring during the first couple of weeks of treatment or after a dose increase, is generally recommended.
• Angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat) can occur at any point during treatment, not just at the start, and can be life-threatening if it affects breathing seek emergency care immediately if this occurs, and do not restart Benazepril or another ACE inhibitor afterward.
• Kidney function and blood potassium levels are typically checked periodically during treatment, since ACE inhibitors can raise potassium levels and affect kidney function, particularly in patients with pre-existing kidney disease. Dose adjustment may be required in significant renal impairment.
• If pregnancy is discovered while taking Benazepril, it should be discontinued as soon as possible, and your doctor should be informed right away (see Pregnancy below).

Adverse Reactions

• Common: Dizziness, fatigue, dry cough (a recognized adverse effect of ACE inhibitors as a class — if bothersome, a doctor may consider switching to a different type of blood pressure medicine).
• Serious: Angioedema (swelling of the face/throat), especially in patients with a history of angioedema.

Drug Interactions

Benazepril can interact with several other medicines, so it’s important to tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you’re taking, including:

• Potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, or salt substitutes containing potassium: combined with Benazepril, these can raise blood potassium to unsafe levels.
• NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen): may reduce Benazepril’s blood-pressure-lowering effect and, especially when combined with diuretics, can increase the risk of kidney problems.
• Lithium: Benazepril can raise lithium levels in the blood, increasing the risk of lithium toxicity.
• Other ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or aliskiren: combining these types of medicines is generally avoided, since it increases the risk of high potassium, low blood pressure, and kidney problems without added benefit.
• Neprilysin inhibitors: combining these with Benazepril can increase the risk of angioedema.
• Other blood pressure medicines: combined use can have an additive blood-pressure-lowering effect, which is sometimes intentional but should be monitored.

This is not a complete list always share your full medicine list, including OTC drugs and supplements, with your healthcare provider.

Contraindications

• Previous ACE-inhibitor-associated angioedema.
• Hereditary or idiopathic angioedema.
• Hypersensitivity to Benazepril or any component of the product.
• Co-administration with aliskiren in patients with diabetes, where applicable under the product labeling.

General kidney disease or lung disease are not, on their own, absolute contraindications, though they may require closer monitoring (see Important Precautions above).

Effect on Pregnancy and Organ Function

• Pregnancy: Contraindicated medicines that act on the renin-angiotensin system, including Benazepril, can cause injury or death to the developing fetus, particularly when used in the second and third trimesters. If pregnancy is detected, Benazepril should be discontinued as soon as possible.
  
• Kidney: Dosage adjustments may be required in kidney disease, and kidney function is typically monitored during treatment (see Important Precautions above).

Brand Names (India & US)

• India: Benace, and generic Benazepril tablets.
• US: Lotensin.

How HealthPil Can Help

HealthPil’s cardiologists offer expert consultations for blood pressure management and heart health. Book a consultation for guidance on using ACE inhibitors like Benazepril.