amlodipine and benazepril

Lotrel is used for treating high blood pressure (hypertension) when blood pressure is not adequately controlled with either of its constituent drugs alone.

What brand names are available for amlodipine and benazepril?

Lotrel

Is amlodipine and benazepril available as a generic drug?

Yes

Do I need a prescription for amlodipine and benazepril?

Yes

Lotrel causes the same side effects as benazepril and amlodipine.

Common side of Lotrel include

• water retention (edema) in legs and arms,
• edema in the lungs
• stomach pain,
• nausea,
• dizziness,
• fatigue,
• headache,
• muscle cramps,
• sexual problems, and
• drowsiness.

Other side effects of Lotrel include

• kidney failure,
• indigestion,
• blood disorders,
• overgrowth of gums,
• heart palpitations,
• anemia,
• reduced number of platelets in the blood, and
• serious skin reactions also may occur.

The dose of Lotrel is tailored to the patient's needs. The dose is one capsule once daily.

• Combining benazepril with potassium supplements, potassium containing salt substitutes, and potassium conserving diuretics such as amiloride (Moduretic), spironolactone (Aldactone), and triamterene (Dyazide, Maxzide), can lead to dangerously high blood levels of potassium.
• There have been reports of increased lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) levels when lithium is used in combination with ACE inhibitors. The reason for this interaction is not known, but the increased levels may lead to toxicity from lithium.
• There have been reports that aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Children's Advil/Motrin, Medipren, Motrin, Nuprin, PediaCare Fever, etc.), indomethacin (Indocin, Indocin-SR), and naproxen (Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn, Aleve) may reduce the effects of ACE inhibitors. Combining ACE inhibitors with NSAIDs in patients who are elderly, volume-depleted (including those on diuretic therapy), or with poor kidney function may result in reduced kidney function, including kidney failure. These effects usually are reversible.
• Nitritoid reactions (symptoms include facial flushing, nausea, vomiting and low blood pressure or hypotension) may occur when injectable gold (sodium aurothiomalate), used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, is combined with ACE inhibitors.
• Amlodipine increases blood levels of simvastatin (Zocor). The dose of simvastatin should be limited to 20 mg daily when combined with amlodipine.

1. ACE inhibitors, including benazepril, can be harmful to the fetus and should not be taken by pregnant women.
2. Small amounts of benazepril are excreted in breast milk. It is not known whether amlodipine is excreted in breast milk. Lotrel or nursing should be discontinued.

What preparations of amlodipine and benazepril are available?

Capsules (mg amlodipine/mg benazepril): 2.5/10; 5/10;5/20; 5/40; 10/20; and 10/40

How should I keep amlodipine and benazepril stored?

Lotrel should be stored at room temperature, 15 C - 30 C (59 C - 86 F).