Benazepril

💊 What is Benazepril used for?

• •The label says it is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks, according to the label. The label also includes dosing information for children 6 years and older.

How it works

The label describes benazepril as an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Its active form, called benazeprilat, is the part the label describes as acting in the body. The label does not explain the mechanism in more detail.

How it is usually taken

• •The label says it is taken by mouth. Adults are usually given it once a day, or the daily amount may be split into two equal doses. The label notes that the divided schedule worked better at controlling blood pressure before the next dose. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist. The label also describes how to prepare a liquid suspension from the tablets, which is covered in the full prescribing information.

Comes as

• •5 mg tablets (white, film-coated)
• •10 mg tablets (red)
• •20 mg tablets (grey)
• •40 mg tablets (blue)

⚠️ Benazepril side effects

🛑 Who should not take Benazepril, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You are allergic to benazepril or to any other ACE inhibitor.
• 🚨You have had angioedema, with or without previous ACE inhibitor treatment.
• 🚨You have hereditary or idiopathic angioedema.
• 🚨You take a neprilysin inhibitor such as sacubitril. The label says it is contraindicated in combination with this medicine.
• 🚨You are switching to or from sacubitril/valsartan. The label says not to give benazepril within 36 hours of switching to or from this medicine.
• 🚨You have diabetes and take aliskiren. The label says aliskiren should not be given together with benazepril in patients with diabetes.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your prescriber if you have ever had angioedema, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• •Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are a woman of childbearing age. The label says to discuss treatment options with women planning pregnancy.
• •Tell your prescriber if you have diabetes and take insulin or oral diabetes medicine. The label says blood sugar should be monitored closely, especially during the first month of combined use.
• •Tell your prescriber if you take a diuretic (water pill). The label says a sharp drop in blood pressure can occur, and the prescriber may adjust the diuretic.
• •Tell your prescriber if you have kidney problems, sweat heavily, or get dehydrated from vomiting or diarrhea. The label says these can lead to a large drop in blood pressure.
• •Tell your prescriber if you have had a reaction to bee or wasp venom treatment (desensitization) or if you receive dialysis. The label describes life-threatening reactions in these situations.
• •Tell your prescriber about all other medicines you take, including potassium supplements, salt substitutes that contain potassium, NSAID pain relievers, and lithium.

🔀 Benazepril with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Diuretics (water pills): can cause an excessive drop in blood pressure, especially if recently started.
• •Diabetes medicines (insulin or oral antidiabetic drugs): may increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
• •NSAID pain relievers, including COX-2 inhibitors: may harm kidney function and reduce the blood pressure effect of benazepril.
• •Other renin-angiotensin system blockers (angiotensin receptor blockers, other ACE inhibitors, or aliskiren): increase the risk of low blood pressure, high potassium, and kidney changes.
• •Potassium supplements, salt substitutes with potassium, and potassium-sparing diuretics (such as spironolactone, amiloride, or triamterene): can raise potassium levels (hyperkalemia).
• •Lithium: may cause symptoms of lithium toxicity.
• •mTOR inhibitors (such as temsirolimus, sirolimus, or everolimus): may increase the risk of angioedema.
• •Gold: may cause nitritoid reactions, according to the label.

Alcohol and food

The label does not say.

🤰 Benazepril in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The boxed warning says benazepril can cause fetal harm. The label says drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system during the second and third trimesters reduce fetal kidney function and increase fetal and newborn illness and death. The label says to discontinue benazepril as soon as possible when pregnancy is detected. Talk with your prescriber right away if you think you may be pregnant.

Breastfeeding

The label does not say.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

Store at 20 to 25 degrees C (68 to 77 degrees F). Protect from moisture. The label says to dispense it in a tight container.

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says human overdoses have not been reported. It says the most likely effect of an overdose is low blood pressure (hypotension), which may be treated with intravenous saline, according to the label. Low blood pressure can be linked to electrolyte problems and kidney failure. If you think someone has taken too much, get medical help right away.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Benazepril

• What should I do if I think I might be pregnant while taking this medicine?
• What signs of swelling or trouble breathing should I watch for, and what should I do if they happen?
• Should I avoid potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium?
• How could this medicine affect my blood pressure if I also take a diuretic?
• Is it safe for me to take NSAID pain relievers with this medicine?
• How should I monitor my blood sugar if I take insulin or a diabetes pill?

❓ Benazepril: frequently asked questions