Brand Name

Lotensin {Novartis}

Generic Name

benazepril, pronounced ben AY ze pril

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Lotensin?

Lotensin is a medication to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure, and is in a group of medications called angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors {ACE inhibitors}. Lotensin helps to relax your blood vessels, which helps to lower your blood pressure.

Lotensin may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Lotensin

Lotensin is in FDA pregnancy category D. You should not use Lotensin if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Lotensin you should stop taking this medication and contact your doctor right away. Lotensin may cause injury or death to an unborn baby if taken during your second or third trimester. You should be sure to use effective birth control while taking Lotensin.

You should not breast-feed while taking Lotensin, as this medication passes into breast milk.

Children under age 6 should not be given Lotensin.

While you are taking Lotensin you should not drink alcohol. Because drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure you may experience an increase in certain side effects of Lotensin if you drink while taking it.

Unless your doctor has advised you to do so, you should not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Lotensin.

Until you know how you will react to Lotensin you should avoid getting up too fast from a lying or sitting position, as you may experience dizziness. Be sure to get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall, especially when you first begin your treatment with Lotensin.

If you suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating you can easily become dehydrated while taking Lotensin. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure. You should tell your doctor if you suffer from these symptoms while taking Lotensin, and be certain to drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.

Continue to use Lotensin as your doctor has directed, and be sure to get your blood pressure checked regularly.

Before You Take Lotensin

If you are allergic to 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) you should not take Lotensin.

You should inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease or heart disease before taking Lotensin.

If you have diabetes you should tell your doctor before starting treatment with Lotensin.

African-Americans are more likely to have an allergic reaction to Lotensin.

Lotensin Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• blood pressure medications
• diuretics or water pills like amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide)
• gold injections to treat arthritis
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith)
• oral diabetes medications or insulin
• potassium supplements like K-Dur or Klor-Con
• salt substitutes that contain potassium

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Lotensin. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Lotensin

You should take Lotensin exactly your doctor has told you to. It is important that you do not take Lotensin in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

Lotensin can be taken with or without food.

You may need to take Lotensin on a long-term basis for the treatment of high blood pressure. It is important that you follow up with your doctor on a regular basis to be sure that Lotensin is helping your condition and not causing you to have any adverse or harmful effects.

Lotensin should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Lotensin you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose is less than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

Lotensin Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Lotensin and seek emergency medical help immediately.

• allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• confusion
• dark urine
• easy bruising or bleeding (like from your mouth, rectum or vagina), red or purple pinpoint spots under your skin
• feeling faint and paleness
• fever with chills, body aches and flu symptoms
• high potassium signs, with symptoms like a slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness or a tingly feeling
• jaundice or a yellowing of your eyes and skin
• skin reaction that is severe and includes a fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain and followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling
• swelling with rapid weight gain
• urinary abnormalities, such as urinating less often or not at all
• weakness

Less serious side effects of Lotensin may include:

• anxiety
• constipation
• cough
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling)
• headache
• insomnia
• nausea
• rash and itching that is mild
• vomiting

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Lotensin. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Lotensin Description and Dosing

Lotensin is available in tablets, in dosages of 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg. Each tablet is imprinted with Lotensin on one side and the tablet strength (“5,” “10,” “20,” or “40”) on the other side. The 5 mg tablet is light yellow. The 10 mg tablet is dark yellow. The 20 mg tablet is pink. The 40 mg tablet is dark rose colored.

Your doctor will prescribe the correct dose of Lotensin for you. Do not alter or change your dose of Lotensin without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Lotensin you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Lotensin

Lotensin contains benazepril hydrochloride as the active ingredient. Inactive ingredients are colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, hydrogenated castor oil (5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets), hypromellose, iron oxides, lactose, magnesium stearate (40 mg tablets), microcrystalline cellulose, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol (5 mg and 40 mg tablets), starch, talc, and titanium dioxide.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.