Benazepril/HCTZ
(Benazepril/HCTZ)Benazepril/HCTZ Overview
Benazepril/HCTZ is a combination of two drugs, an ACE inhibitor (benazepril) and a "water pill"/diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide). Benazepril/HCTZ is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Benazepril works by relaxing blood vessels, causing them to widen. The hydrochlorothiazide diuretic increases the amount of urine you make, which decreases excess water and salt in your body. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.
Benazepril/HCTZ Warnings
Benazepril/HCTZ can cause serious harm to an unborn baby (possibly fatal) if used during pregnancy. It is important to prevent pregnancy while taking Benazepril/HCTZ. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control while taking Benazepril/HCTZ. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away.
How to Use Benazepril/HCTZ
Take Benazepril/HCTZ by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once a day. Use Benazepril/HCTZ regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use Benazepril/HCTZ at the same time each day. Drink adequate fluids to prevent from becoming dehydrated. If you are on restricted fluid intake, consult your doctor for further instructions. The Dosage of Benazepril/HCTZ is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take 2 weeks before the full benefit of Benazepril/HCTZ occurs or several weeks to months when used for congestive heart failure. Keep taking Benazepril/HCTZ even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. If you are also taking cholestyramine or colestipol, take benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide at least 4 hours before or at least 4 to 6 hours after either of those drugs.
Benazepril/HCTZ Precautions
Before taking benazepril with hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other ACE inhibitors (such as captopril, lisinopril); or if you have any other allergies (including an allergic reaction after exposure to certain membranes used for blood filtering). Benazepril/HCTZ may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Benazepril/HCTZ, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,kidney disease (such as anuria), liver disease, history of an allergic reaction which included swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat (angioedema), severe loss of body fluids (dehydration through excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea), mineral/electrolyte problems (such as imbalance of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium), gout, lupus, asthma, skin cancer. Benazepril/HCTZ may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). To minimize dizziness and light-headedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. Benazepril/HCTZ may affect your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Benazepril/HCTZ. Benazepril/HCTZ may make you more sensitive to the sun. It may also increase your risk for skin cancer, especially if you take it for a long time. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned, have skin blisters/redness, or notice new or changed moles/skin lesions. If you have diabetes, hydrochlorothiazide may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Benazepril/HCTZ, especially dizziness and change in the amount of urine (kidney problems). Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using Benazepril/HCTZ. Benazepril may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of Benazepril/HCTZ. A very small amount of Benazepril/HCTZ passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Benazepril/HCTZ Misdose
If you miss a dose of Benazepril/HCTZ, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Benazepril/HCTZ Interactions
See also How to Use and Precautions sections. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.aliskiren, cholestyramine, colestipol, diazoxide, dofetilide, certain drugs that weaken the immune system/increase the risk of infection (such as everolimus, sirolimus), drugs which can increase dizziness (such as phenobarbital, opioid analgesics), drugs that may increase the level of potassium in the blood (such as ARBs including losartan/valsartan, birth control pills containing drospirenone), lithium, probenecid, gold injections, sacubitril. A very serious reaction may occur if you are getting injections for bee/wasp sting allergy (desensitization) and are also taking benazepril with hydrochlorothiazide. Make sure all your doctors know which medicines you are using. Some products have ingredients that could raise your blood pressure or worsen your heart failure. Tell your pharmacist what products you are using, and ask how to use them safely (especially cough-and-cold products, diet aids, or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen).
Benazepril/HCTZ Side Effects
Dizziness, light-headedness, drowsiness, headache, fatigue, blurred vision, dry cough, or vomiting may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that Benazepril/HCTZ has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Benazepril/HCTZ do not have serious side effects. Benazepril/HCTZ may cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance,extreme thirst, very dry mouth, muscle cramps/weakness, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, confusion. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects,fainting, decreased sexual ability, tingling or numbness of the hands/feet, decrease in vision, eye pain, signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine), seizures, symptoms of a high potassium blood level (such as muscle weakness, slow/irregular heartbeat). Benazepril/HCTZ may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage,nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine. A very serious allergic reaction to Benazepril/HCTZ is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction,rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Benazepril/HCTZ Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Benazepril/HCTZ when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
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