Lotensin

The usual starting dose of Lotensin (Benazepril) for adults is 10 mg daily. If this dose does not lower the blood pressure enough after 2 weeks, the dose may be increased gradually to a maximum of 40 mg daily. The usual dose is 20 mg daily.

Lower doses may be used for people who take other medications that lower blood pressure (e.g., diuretics), or for people who have Kidney Disease. It may take up to 2 weeks to see the full effects of the medication.

Lotensin (Benazepril) may be taken with or without meals.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Lotensin (Benazepril) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Lotensin (Benazepril) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

5 mg
Each light yellow, ovaloid, slightly biconvex, film-coated tablet, imprinted "LV" on one side and "CG" on the other side with a score on both sides, contains 5 mg of Lotensin (Benazepril) HCl. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cellulose compounds, colloidal silicon dioxide, cornstarch, crospovidone, hydrogenated castor oil, iron oxide, lactose, polyethylene glycol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

20 mg
Each light orange, round, slightly biconvex, film-coated tablet, with bevelled edges, contains 20 mg of Lotensin (Benazepril) HCl. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cellulose compounds, colloidal silicon dioxide, cornstarch, crospovidone, hydrogenated castor oil, iron oxide, lactose, polyethylene glycol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Do not take Lotensin (Benazepril) if you:

• are allergic to Lotensin (Benazepril) or any ingredients of the medication
• are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
• have a history of angioedema (a serious allergic reaction which causes the area around the throat and tongue to swell) after taking any medications known as ACE inhibitors (e.g., Captopril, Enalapril, Fosinopril, Lisinopril, Ramipril)
• have galactose intolerance or glucose malabsorption (a rare hereditary disease)
• have Diabetes or kidney disease and are taking Aliskiren

There may be an interaction between Lotensin (Benazepril) and any of the following:

• acetylsalicylic acid (Asa)
• Aldesleukin
• alpha blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin)
• aliskiren
• Allopurinol
• alpha-1 blockers (e.g., doxazosin, Prazosin, tamsulosin)
• alpha-2 blockers (e.g., Clonidine, dexmedetomidine, methyldopa)
• Amiodarone
• amifostine
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, phentermine)
• angiotensin II receptor blockers (e.g., Irbesartan, Losartan, Valsartan)
• antacids (e.g., aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Azathioprine
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, Phenobarbital)
• beta-blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Carvedilol, Propranolol)
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Canagliflozin
• Celecoxib
• conivaptan
• Cyclosporine
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)
• drospirenone
• Duloxetine
• erythropoietin
• Everolimus
• ginger
• ginseng
• "gliptin" diabetes medications (e.g., Linagliptin, Saxagliptin, Sitagliptin)
• gold salts
• grass pollen extract
• Heparin
• iron dextran complex
• levodopa
• low-molecular-weight heparins (e.g., Dalteparin, Tinzaparin)
• licorice
• lithium
• MAO inhibitors (e.g., Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline)
• medications that increase potassium levels (e.g., potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium)
• Metformin
• Methylphenidate
• nitrates (e.g., Nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Naproxen)
• Obinutuzumab
• other angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; e.g., captopril, ramipril)
• phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil)
• potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g., Spironolactone, Amiloride, triamterene)
• Pramipexole
• Pregabalin
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin)
• Rituximab
• Ropinirole
• sacubitril
• Sirolimus
• sodium phosphates
• Temsirolimus
• Tizanidine
• tolcapone
• Tolvaptan
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Trimipramine)
• Trimethoprim

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Lotensin (Benazepril). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Lotensin (Benazepril).

Angioedema: Angioedema (a serious allergic reaction that causes the area around the throat and tongue to swell) may occur with the use of ACE inhibitors, including Lotensin (Benazepril). If you experience swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, stop taking Lotensin (Benazepril) at once and get immediate medical attention. Other medications known as ACE inhibitors should not be taken in the future. People who have had angioedema caused by other substances may be at increased risk of angioedema while receiving an ACE inhibitor.

Diabetes: People with diabetes who take Lotensin (Benazepril) may experience reduced blood sugar control. If you have diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Lotensin (Benazepril) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Lotensin (Benazepril), and whether any special monitoring is needed. You may find it helpful to increase the number of times a day your check your blood sugar.

Fluid and electrolyte balance: Increases in blood levels of potassium may occur in with the use of Lotensin (Benazepril). This rarely causes problems, but your doctor will monitor your potassium levels regularly with blood tests. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you experience symptoms of increased potassium in the body, such as confusion, irregular heartbeat, unusual nervousness, or tingling in the hands and feet.

Infection: Some people taking Lotensin (Benazepril) experience a reduction in the cells that fight infection (white blood cells), which results in infections. Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you begin to notice the signs of an infection such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness. Your doctor will do blood tests to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells in your blood.

Kidney function: Changes in kidney function have been seen in certain people who take Lotensin (Benazepril). The use of aliskiren may further increase risk of kidney problems for those at risk for this problem. If you have kidney disease, including narrowing of the blood vessels in the kidneys, or severe Congestive Heart Failure, discuss with your doctor how Lotensin (Benazepril) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Lotensin (Benazepril), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Occasionally, hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) occurs with the use of Lotensin (Benazepril). If you have reduced liver function or liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Lotensin (Benazepril) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Lotensin (Benazepril), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Low blood pressure: Occasionally, blood pressure drops too low after taking Lotensin (Benazepril). This usually happens after the first or second dose, or when the dose is increased. It is more likely to occur in those who take water pills, have a salt-restricted diet, are on dialysis, are suffering from diarrhea or vomiting, or have been sweating excessively and not drinking enough liquids. If low blood pressure causes you to faint or feel lightheaded, contact a doctor.

Surgery: Lotensin (Benazepril) may affect how anaesthetics work. If you are scheduled for surgery, inform all doctors involved in your care that you take Lotensin (Benazepril).

Pregnancy: Lotensin (Benazepril), like other ACE inhibitors, can cause birth defects and even death to the developing fetus when taken by a women who is pregnant. Pregnant women should not take Lotensin (Benazepril). If you become pregnant while taking Lotensin (Benazepril), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Lotensin (Benazepril) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Lotensin (Benazepril), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Lotensin (Benazepril) have not been established for children.