benazepril

What is the most important information I should know about benazepril?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs should not be used with benazepril.

What is benazepril?

Benazepril is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure in adults and children at least 6 years old.

Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Benazepril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking benazepril?

Do not take benazepril within 36 hours before or after taking medicine that contains sacubitril (such as Entresto).

If you have diabetes, do not use benazepril together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

Do not take benazepril if you have a history of angioedema (severe allergic reaction).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, heart problems such as a recent heart attack;
• stomach pain;
• low blood pressure;
• if you are on a low-salt diet;
• diabetes;
• liver disease; or
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

You may also need to avoid taking benazepril with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

How should I take benazepril?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take benazepril with or without food.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often and you may need frequent blood tests. Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and other medications. Follow your doctor's instructions very carefully.

Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery.

Keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking benazepril?

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

What are the possible side effects of benazepril?

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• kidney problems --swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath;
• high blood potassium --nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement; or
• liver problems --loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects may include:

• headache; or
• cough.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect benazepril?

Benazepril can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, or osteoporosis.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• a diuretic or "water pill" that may increase blood potassium such as spironolactone, triamterene, or amiloride;
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others;
• insulin or diabetes medications;
• medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection such as temsirolimus, sirolimus, or everolimus; or
• heart or blood pressure medication.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect benazepril, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about benazepril.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 17.01. Revision date: 6/16/2023.