What is amlodipine and benazepril?
Amlodipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine relaxes
(widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow.
Benazepril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin
converting enzyme. Benazepril also widens blood vessels and also prevents the body from
retaining water.
Amlodipine and benazepril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is
usually given after other blood pressure medications have been tried without successful
treatment.
Amlodipine and benazepril may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amlodipine and benazepril?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amlodipine and benazepril or to any
other ACE inhibitor, such as captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec),
lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril),
ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).
Before using amlodipine and benazepril, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs,
or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take this medication.
FDA pregnancy category D.
Do not
use this medication without
telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Amlodipine and benazepril
could cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an
effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you
become pregnant during treatment.
Amlodipine and benazepril can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take amlodipine and benazepril?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Amlodipine and benazepril can be taken with or without food.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can
lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking
amlodipine and benazepril. Drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water daily while you are taking this
medication.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be
checked on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not
miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking
amlodipine and benazepril. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you
feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store amlodipine and benazepril at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of amlodipine and benazepril?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about amlodipine and benazepril?
Your pharmacist has information about amlodipine and benazepril written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of amlodipine and benazepril?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips,
tongue, or throat. You may be more likely to have an allergic reaction if you are
African-American.
Some side effects of amlodipine and benazepril may not occur until after you have been
using the medication for several months.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
feeling light-headed, fainting;
-
urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
-
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
-
severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
-
tired feeling, muscle weakness, and pounding or uneven
heartbeats;
-
chest pain;
-
swelling, rapid weight gain; or
-
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about amlodipine and benazepril?
Do not
use this medication without telling your doctor if you are
pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Amlodipine and benazepril could cause birth defects in the
baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop
using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
Amlodipine and benazepril can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or
reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Some side effects of amlodipine and benazepril may not occur until after you have been
using the medication for several months.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can
lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking
amlodipine and benazepril. Drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water daily while you are taking this
medication.
What should I avoid while taking amlodipine and benazepril?
Amlodipine and benazepril can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or
reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can further lower your blood pressure and may increase
some of the side effects of amlodipine and benazepril.
Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking amlodipine and
benazepril, unless your doctor has told you to.
What other drugs will affect amlodipine and benazepril?
Before taking amlodipine and benazepril, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the
following drugs:
-
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
-
a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con;
-
salt substitutes that contain potassium; or
-
a diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor),
bumetanide (Bumex), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin),
furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone
(Mykrox, Zarxolyn), spironolactone (Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide),
torsemide (Demadex).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with amlodipine and benazepril. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of amlodipine and benazepril?