Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide

Generic Name: Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide (ben-AY-ze-pril/high-droe-klor-oh-THIGH-uh-zide)
Brand Name: Lotensin HCT 

Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide is used for: 

Treating high blood pressure. 

Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide is an angiotension-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and thiazide diuretic combination. It works to lower your blood pressure by removing excess fluid from the body and causing blood vessels to relax or widen. 

Do NOT use Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide if: 

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide or any other sulfonamide medicine (eg, sulfamethoxazole, glyburide, probenecid) 
• you have a history of angioedema (swelling of  the face, lips, throat, or tongue) or kidney artery narrowing, or are unable to urinate 
• you are also taking dofetilide or ketanserin 
• you are in your second or third trimester of pregnancy 

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you. 

Before using Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide: 

Some medical conditions may interact with Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you: 

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding 
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement 
• if you have allergies  to medicines, foods, or other substances 
• if you have skin problems, diabetes, bone marrow problems,  blood vessel problems  of the brain (eg, stroke), gout, high  blood potassium levels, low  blood sodium levels, heart disease, scleroderma, severe immune system problems, or lupus, or you are on  a sodium-restricted diet 
• if you have a history  of allergies, asthma, liver problems, kidney artery narrowing, kidney transplant, or decreased kidney function (you are on dialysis) 
• if you are scheduled  to have major surgery or to receive anesthesia 

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any  of the following:

• Celecoxib or salicylates (eg, aspirin) because they may decrease Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide 's effectiveness 
• ACE inhibitors (eg, enalapril), indomethacin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), or thiazide diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide) because side effects, such as increased risk for kidney dysfunction, may occur 
• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), dextran sulfate, diazoxide, or narcotic pain  medicine (eg, codeine) because side effects, such increased risk for low blood pressure, may occur 
• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), digitalis glycosides (eg, digoxin), dofetilide, insulin, ketanserin, lithium, muscle relaxants (eg, methocarbamol), potassium preparations, potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, triamterene), sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide), or thiopurines (eg, azathiopurine) because the risk of their side effects may  be increased by Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide 

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine. 

How to use Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide: 

Use Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide  as directed  by your doctor. Check the  label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. 

• Take Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide by mouth with or without food. 
• If you take cholestyramine or colestipol,  ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take it with Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide. 
• Take Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide regularly to receive the most benefit from it. 
• Taking Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide at the same time each day will help you remember to take  it.
• Continue to take Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide  even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. 
• If you miss a dose of Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose  and go back  to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. 

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide. 

Important safety information: 

• Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide  may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may  be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. 
• Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially  in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign  of any of these effects. 
• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.. 
• Drink plenty of fluids while taking Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide  and avoid engaging in activities  that cause excessive sweating. Dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting,  or diarrhea may lead  to a fall in blood pressure. Contact  your health care provider at once if any  of these occur. 
• A persistent, unproductive cough may occur. Tell  your doctor if this occurs. Recovery is rapid when  the medicine  is stopped. 
• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may  not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms. 
• Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide may not work as well in black patients. They may also be at greater risk of side effects. Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse. 
• Tell  your doctor or dentist that you take Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. 
• Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid  the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react  to Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time. 
• LAB TESTS, including blood electrolytes, blood pressure, blood cell counts,  and kidney function,  may be performed while you use Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide . These  tests may be used  to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure  to keep all doctor  and lab appointments. 
• Use Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects. 
• Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed. 
• PREGNANCY  and BREAST-FEEDING: Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause fetal and newborn death if you take it while  you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while  taking Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide. 

Possible side effects of Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide : 

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people  have no, or minor, side effects. Check with  your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome: 

Coughing; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; lightheadedness; nausea; persistent nonproductive cough; tiredness; vomiting. 

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur: 

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty swallowing; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; muscle cramps; muscle weakness; severe dizziness or lightheadedness; shortness of breath; sore throat; unusual stomach pain; yellowing of the skin or eyes. 

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. 

If OVERDOSE is suspected: 
Contact your local Poison Control Centers or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness; fainting; weakness. 

Proper storage of Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide: 

Store Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Keep in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide out of the reach of children and away from pets. 

General information: 

• If you have any questions about Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. 
• Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people. 
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. 

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. 

Notes: DrJMinor

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EditText of this page (last edited December 19, 2009)