Brand Name: Lotensin
Generic Name: Benazepril

Benazepril

(BEN-AZE-uh-prill HIGH-droe-KLOR-ide)

ORIGINAL USES (ON-LABEL)
Hypertension, alone or in combination with thiazide diuretics

BRAND NAME
Lotensin

DRUG CLASS
Antihypertensive / ACE inhibitor

DESCRIPTION
Lotensin is used to treat high blood pressure. It inhibits the action of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). This inhibition reduces blood pressure by preventing the formation of Angiotensin II, a biochemical produced by the kidney which increases blood sodium (greater water retention). It is usually used along with other drugs for high blood pressure.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
The most common side effects are: dizziness, a persistant cough, fatigue, and nausea. Should the cough become troublesome, contact your physician. Rarely, a condition called angioedema characterized by swelling of the face and hands may occur - if so, call your physician immediately.

CAUTIONS

• The dose needs to be modified downward if kidney function is impaired.
• Caution with salt substitutes containing potassium chloride.
• Safety and efficacy not established.
• Use with extreme caution in patients with hereditary angioedema. Angioedema associated with laryngeal edema may be fatal.
• Rarely, ACE inhibitors have been associated with a syndrome that starts with cholestatic jaundice and progresses to fulminant hepatic necrosis and sometimes death.
• Significant decreases in BP may occur after first dose, especially in severely salt- or volume-depleted patients (eg, those undergoing dialysis or vigorous diuretic therapy) or those with heart failure. Risk is minimized by discontinuing use of diuretics, increasing salt intake about 1 wk before initiating benazepril, or decreasing benazepril dose.

DRUG INTERACTIONS
If used with potassium sparing diuretics such as triamterene, an increase in blood potassium may result with an adverse effect on the heart. Lotensin may reduce the absorption of the antibiotic tetracycline. The blood level of lithium may be increased by Lotensin and extreme caution should be exercised when Accupril is added to existing lithium therapy.

HERBAL INTERACTIONS

• Increased toxicity / death: aconite
• Increased or decreased antihypertensive effect: astragalus, cola tree
• Increased antihypertensive effect: barberry, betony, black catechu, black cohosh, bloodroot, broom, burdock, cat's claw, dandelion, goldenseal, Irish moss, Jamaican dogwood, kelp, khella, mistletoe, parsley
• Decreased antihypertensive effect: coltsfoot, guarana, khat, licorice, pineapple, yohimbe

PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING CAUTIONS
Pregnancy category C (1st trimester), category D (2nd and 3rd trimesters);ACE inhibitors can cause fetal and neonatal morbidity and death when administered to pregnant women; detectable in breast milk in trace amounts, a newborn would receive <0.1% of the mg/kg maternal dose;

SPECIAL INFORMATION

• Dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness may occur during 1st few days of therapy.
• May cause altered taste perception or cough; persistent dry cough usually does not subside unless medication is stopped.