Lotrel

Lotrel

What is Lotrel?

Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme. Benazepril also dilates blood vessels and also prevents the body from retaining water.

Lotrel is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Lotrel may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Do not use Lotrel if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor immediately.

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had angioedema.Do not take this medicine within 36 hours before or after taking medicines that contain sacubitril (e.g. Entresto).

If you have diabetes, do not use Lotrel with medications that contain aliskiren (a blood pressure medication).

Call your doctor if you have persistent vomiting or diarrhea, or if you sweat more than usual. It is easy to become dehydrated while taking Lotrel, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.

Before you take this medicine

You should not use Lotrel if you are allergic to amlodipine or benazepril or if:

• you have had angioedema (hives or severe swelling of deep skin tissues, sometimes caused by an allergic reaction);

• You have diabetes and are taking a drug called aliskiren;

• You recently took a heart medication called Sacubitril; or

• You are allergic to another ACE inhibitor, such as captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, moexipril, benazepril, quinapril, ramipril, Accupril, Prinivil, Mavik, Vasotec and many others.

Do not take Lotrel within 36 hours before or after taking medicines that contain sacubitril (e.g. Entresto).

If you have diabetes, do not use Lotrel with medications that contain aliskiren (a blood pressure medication).

You may also need to avoid taking Lotrel with aliskirenif you suffer from kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease or heart failure;

• high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia);

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

• liver disease; or

• if you follow a low-salt diet.

Do not use Lotrel if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor immediately.Taking benazepril in the second or third trimester may cause injury or death to your unborn baby.

You should not breast-feed while using Lotrel unless your doctor tells you to.

How should I take Lotrel?

Take Lotrel exactly as your doctor has told you. Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read any medication guides or instructions for use. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You can take Lotrel with or without meals. Take the medicine at the same time every day.

Vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive sweating can lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of water every day while taking this medicine.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked frequently, and you may also need frequent blood tests.

If you need surgery, tell your surgeon that you are currently using this medicine. You may need to take a short break.

Call your doctor if you have persistent vomiting or diarrhea, or if you sweat more than usual. Dehydration can easily occur while taking Lotrel. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte imbalances, or kidney failure.

Continue to use Lotrel as directed even if you feel well. High blood pressure often causes no symptoms. You may need to take blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature, protected from moisture and heat.

Dosage information

Usual adult dosage for high blood pressure:

Initial dose: Amlodipine 2.5 mg-Benazepril 10 mg orally once daily
Maintenance dose: Amlodipine 2.5 to 10 mg, Benazepril 10 to 40 mg orally once daily
Maximum dose: Amlodipine: 10 mg/day; Benazepril 80 mg/day

Comments:
- The dose may be increased after 2 weeks as needed to achieve the blood pressure goal.
-The addition of benazepril to amlodipine is not expected to result in additional reductions in blood pressure in African Americans.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if you are more than 12 hours late. Do not use two doses at the same time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid

Drinking alcohol with this medicine may cause side effects.

Avoid driving and dangerous activities until you know how this medicine affects you. Your reactions may be affected.

Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking Lotrel unless directed by your doctor.

Side effects of Lotrel

If necessary, get emergency medical helpSigns of an allergic reaction:hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. If you are African American, you may be more likely to have an allergic reaction.

Some side effects may not appear until you have used the medicine for several months.

Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, as if you were going to faint;

• swelling of the hands or feet, rapid weight gain;

• new or worsened chest pain;

• Fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms;

• high potassium content– Nausea, weakness, tingling, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, loss of movement; or

• Liver problems- Nausea, stomach pain (top right), itching, unusual tiredness, flu-like symptoms, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Lotrel may include:

• Cough;

• Dizziness; or

• Swelling of hands or feet.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Lotrel?

Sometimes it is not safe to take certain medications at the same time. Some medications can affect the blood levels of other medications you are taking, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking. Many medications can affect Lotrel, particularly:

• Lithium;

• probenecid;

• simvastatin;

• a diuretic or “water pill”;

• gold injections to treat arthritis;

• heart or blood pressure medications;

• insulin or oral diabetes medications;

• an antibiotic– Clarithromycin, Telithromycin;

• Antifungal– itraconazole, ketoconazole;

• antiviral medicine for the treatment of HIV/AIDS– indinavir, ritonavir and others;

• Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection– Cyclosporine, everolimus, sirolimus, tacrolimus, temsirolimus; or

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)– Aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam and others.

This list is not complete and many other medications may interact with amlodipine and benazepril. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

References

1. Lotrel-Produktetikett

More information

Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Lotrel only for the prescribed indication.