What Is Amlodipine Benazepril?
Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme. Benazepril also widens blood vessels and also prevents the body from retaining water.
Amlodipine and benazepril is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Amlodipine and benazepril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Amlodipine and benazepril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc) or benazepril (Lotensin), or if you have ever had angioedema (hives or severe swelling of deep skin tissues sometimes caused by allergic reaction).
Before you use amlodipine and benazepril, tell your doctor about all your other medical conditions and allergies. Also make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. In some cases, you may not be able to use amlodipine and benazepril, or you may need a dose adjustment or special precautions.
Certain other drugs may interact with amlodipine and benazepril or should not be used at the same time. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.
Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.
You should not use this medicine if:
- you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta, Amturnide) or benazepril (Lotensin);
- you have ever had angioedema (hives or severe swelling of deep skin tissues sometimes caused by allergic reaction); or
- you are allergic to any other ACE inhibitor, such as captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).
To make sure amlodipine and benazepril is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
- liver disease;
- heart disease or congestive heart failure;
- a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis;
- if you are on a low-salt diet.
Amlodipine and benazepril can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using this medication.
Amlodipine Benazepril Side Effects
Some side effects of amlodipine and benazepril may not occur until after you have been using the medication for several months.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- feeling like you might pass out;
- nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, unusual weakness or tired feeling, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain;
- new or worsened chest pain;
- fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms; or
- high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling).
- cough;
- dizziness; or
- headache.
Amlodipine Benazepril Interactions
Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking amlodipine and benazepril, unless your doctor has told you to.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of amlodipine and benazepril.
Many drugs can interact with amlodipine and benazepril. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with amlodipine and benazepril, especially:
- gold injections to treat arthritis;
- a shot for bee-sting allergy;
- lithium;
- simvastatin;
- a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others;
- a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con;
- salt substitutes that contain potassium; or
- a diuretic (water pill).
Amlodipine Benazepril Dosage
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.
Amlodipine and benazepril can be taken with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day.
Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. You may also need frequent blood tests at your doctor's office.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using amlodipine and benazepril. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you are more than 12 hours late, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Amlodipine Benazepril Pictures
