Details

Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme. Benazepril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). To make sure benazepril is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis) liver disease diabetes or any history of heart disease. Do not use benazepril if you are pregnant. Stop using benazepril and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. 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 while taking benazepril.

Typical Uses

Benazepril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor and works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily. This medication may also be used to treat heart failure or to help protect the kidneys from harm due to diabetes.

Side Effects

Benazepril may cause certain side effects such as a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out little or no urinating high potassium-nausea, slow or unusual heart rate, weakness, loss of movement liver problems-nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) or severe skin reaction-fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Drug Interactions

• Benazepril+aliskiren- Using aliskiren together with benazepril may increase the risk of serious side effects such as kidney problems, low blood pressure, and high potassium levels in the blood. High levels of potassium can develop into a condition known as hypercalcemia, which in severe cases can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.

• Benazepril+amiloride- Using benazepril together with amiloride may increase the levels of potassium in your blood (hypercalcemia), especially if you are dehydrated or have kidney disease, diabetes, heart failure, or if you are an older adult.

• Benazepril+candesartan- Using benazepril together with candesartan may increase the risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and a condition called hypercalcemia (high blood potassium). In severe cases, hypercalcemia can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.

• Benazepril+eprosartan- Using benazepril together with eprosartan may increase the risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and a condition called hypercalcemia (high blood potassium). In severe cases, hypercalcemia can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.

Mechanism of action

Benazepril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, prescribed for high blood pressure. It decreases a chemical that tightens blood vessels thereby making blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure.

Pregnancy Category : D