- What is benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
- What are the uses for benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide?
- What are the side effects of benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide?
- What is the dosage for benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide?
- Is benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide?
What is benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
Lotensin HCT is a combination of two drugs, benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide. Benazepril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that is used for treating high blood pressure. Other ACE inhibitors include enalapril (Vasotec), quinapril (Accupril), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), ramipril (Altace), moexipril (Univasc) and trandolapril (Mavik). ACE is an enzyme in the body which is important for the formation of angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes constriction of arteries in the body, thereby elevating blood pressure. ACE inhibitors (for example, benazepril) lower blood pressure by inhibiting the formation of angiotensin II, thus relaxing the arteries. Relaxing the arteries not only lowers blood pressure, but the lower blood pressure also reduces the heart's work and improves the output of blood from the heart in patients with heart failure.
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is a diuretic (water pill) used for treating high blood pressure (hypertension) and accumulation of fluid. It works by blocking salt and fluid reabsorption in the kidneys, causing increased output of salt and water in the urine (diuresis). The mechanism of its action in lowering high blood pressure is not well understood.
The combination of benazepril and HCTZ reduces blood pressure better than either drug alone. Lotensin was approved by the FDA in May 1992.
What brand names are available for benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide?
Lotensin HCT
Is benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide available as a generic drug?
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
Do I need a prescription for benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide?
Yes
What are the uses for benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide?
What are the side effects of benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide?
Lotensin HCT has side effects of its individual components. The most common side effects are:
- dizziness,
- fatigue,
- low blood pressure,
- rash,
- muscle pain,
- stomach upset,
- sexual dysfunction, and
- decreased or increased potassium blood levels.
A dry, persistent cough has been reported with the use of benazepril and other ACE inhibitors. Coughing resolves after discontinuing the medication.
In rare instances,liver dysfunction and skin yellowing (jaundice) have been reported with ACE inhibitors. Benazepril should not be taken by people with a known allergy to ACE inhibitors. Swelling of the facial tissues and even the upper airways has been reported with ACE inhibitors on very rare occasions, and can lead to serious breathing difficulties.
Benazepril may reduce kidney function in some patients and should not be used by patients who have bilateral renal artery stenosis (narrowing of both arteries supplying the kidneys). Rare cases of rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), reduced number of platelets, and pancreatitis have been reported. Hydrochlorothiazide may increase blood glucose levels.
What is the dosage for benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide?
The dose of Lotensin HCT is tailored to the patient's needs. The recommended dose when switching from benazepril or hydrochlorothiazide to Lotensin HCT is 10 mg/12.5 mg once daily. Dosage may be increased every 2 to 3 weeks, and the maximum dose is 20 mg /25 mg.

QUESTION
Salt and sodium are the same. See AnswerWhich drugs or supplements interact with benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide?
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.
Combining benazepril or other ACE inhibitors with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients who are elderly, fluid-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.
There have been reports that aspirin and other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Children's Advil/Motrin, Medipren, Motrin, Nuprin, PediaCare Fever, and many others), indomethacin (Indocin, Indocin-SR), and naproxen (Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn, Aleve) may reduce the effects of ACE inhibitors.
When taken with lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), benazepril can increase lithium to toxic levels in the blood.
Nitritoid reactions (symptoms include facial flushing, nausea, vomiting, and hypotension) may occur when injectable gold (sodium aurothiomalate), used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, is combined with ACE inhibitors, including benazepril. Hydrochlorothiazide reduces the elimination of lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith) by the kidneys and can lead to lithium toxicity. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, ibuprofen, may reduce the blood pressure lowering effects of hydrochlorothiazide. Blood sugar levels can be elevated by HCTZ necessitating adjustments in the doses of medications that are used for treating diabetes.
Combining HCTZ with corticosteroids may increase the risk for low levels of blood potassium and other electrolytes. Low blood potassium can increase the toxicity of digoxin (Lanoxin). Cholestyramine (Questran, Questran Light) and colestipol (Colestid) bind to hydrochlorothiazide and reduce its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract by 43% to 85%.
Is benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
When used in the second or third trimester of pregnancy ACE inhibitors can cause injury and even death to the fetus. Lotensin HCT should not be used during pregnancy.
Both benazepril and HCTZ are excreted in breast milk and may potentially affect nursing infants.
What else should I know about benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide?
What preparations of benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide are available?
Tablets (mg benazepril/mg HCTZ); 5/6.25, 10/12.5, 20/12.5, and 20/25.
How should I keep benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide stored?
Lotensin HCT should be stored at 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) and be protected from excessive light and humidity. It should be kept in a tight, light-resistant container.
Summary
Benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide (Lotensin HCT) are used as a combination drug prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure. Review side effects, drug interactions, dosage, and pregnancy safety information prior to taking this medication.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
Related Disease Conditions
-
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which pressure within the arteries of the body is elevated. About 75 million people in the US have hypertension (1 in 3 adults), and only half of them are able to manage it. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because it often has no has no warning signs or symptoms. Systolic and diastolic are the two readings in which blood pressure is measured. The American College of Cardiology released new guidelines for high blood pressure in 2017. The guidelines now state that blood normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If either one of those numbers is higher, you have high blood pressure. The American Academy of Cardiology defines high blood pressure slightly differently. The AAC considers 130/80 mm Hg. or greater (either number) stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is considered 140/90 mm Hg. or greater. If you have high blood pressure you are at risk of developing life threatening diseases like stroke and heart attack.REFERENCE: CDC. High Blood Pressure. Updated: Nov 13, 2017.
-
Kidney (Renal) Failure
Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss, dehydration, or medication. Some of the renal causes of kidney failure include sepsis, medications, rhabdomyolysis, multiple myeloma, and acute glomerulonephritis. Post renal causes of kidney failure include bladder obstruction, prostate problems, tumors, or kidney stones.Treatment options included diet, medications, or dialysis.
-
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
-
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Congestive heart failure (CHF) refers to a condition in which the heart loses the ability to function properly. Heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, myocarditis, and cardiomyopathies are just a few potential causes of congestive heart failure. Signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure may include fatigue, breathlessness, palpitations, angina, and edema. Physical examination, patient history, blood tests, and imaging tests are used to diagnose congestive heart failure. Treatment of heart failure consists of lifestyle modification and taking medications to decrease fluid in the body and ease the strain on the heart. The prognosis of a patient with congestive heart failure depends on the stage of the heart failure and the overall condition of the individual.
-
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
A heart attack occurs when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. Learn about warning signs, causes, complications, risk factors, and treatment.
-
Things to Know About High Blood Pressure Treatment
High blood pressure (hypertension) means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Treatment for high blood pressure include lifestyle modifications (alcohol, smoking, coffee, salt, diet, exercise), drugs and medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), alpha blockers, clonidine, minoxidil, and Exforge.
-
Febrile Seizures
Febrile seizures, or convulsions caused by fever, can be frightening in small children or infants. However, in general, febrile seizures are harmless. Febrile seizure is not epilepsy. It is estimated that one in every 25 children will have at least one febrile seizure. It is important to know what to do to help your child if he/she has a febrile seizure. Some of the features of a febrile seizure include losing consciousness, shaking, moving limbs on both sides of the body, and lasts 1-2 minutes. Less commonly, a febrile seizure may only affect one side of the body.
-
Heart Attack Prevention
Heart disease and heart attacks can be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle with diet, exercise, and stress management. Symptoms of heart attack in men and women include chest discomfort and pain in the shoulder, neck, jaw, stomach, or back.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- High Blood Pressure FAQs
- Drugs: Buying Prescription Drugs Online Safely
- How To Reduce Your Medication Costs
- Pharmacy Visit, How To Get The Most Out of Your Visit
- Indications for Drugs: Approved vs. Non-approved
- Drugs: The Most Common Medication Errors
- Medication Disposal
- Dangers of Mixing Medications
- Generic Drugs, Are They as Good as Brand-Names?
Medications & Supplements
- ACE Inhibitors
- Drugs: Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist about Your Drugs
- Drug Interactions
- lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil, Qbrelis) ACE Inhibitor
- hydrochlorothiazide
- ramipril (Altace)
- trandolapril (Mavik)
- benazepril (Lotensin HTC)
- captopril (Capoten)
- enalapril (Vasotec, Epaned)
- lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide (Zestoretic, Prinzide)
- Side Effects of Lotensin (benazepril)
- quinapril (Accupril)
- fosinopril sodium, Monopril
- captopril and hydrochlorothiazide (Capozide)
- enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide (Vaseretic)
Prevention & Wellness

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.