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 purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about amlodipine and benazepril?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc) or benazepril (Lotensin), or if you have ever had angioedema (hives or severe swelling of deep skin tissues sometimes caused by allergic reaction).
You should not use amlodipine and benazepril if you are allergic 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).
Do not take amlodipine and benazepril if you are pregnant. Amlodipine and benazepril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Amlodipine and benazepril 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.
Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amlodipine and benazepril?
You should not use this medication if:
you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc) or benazepril (Lotensin);
you have ever had angioedema (hives or severe swelling of deep skin tissues sometimes caused by allergic reaction); or
you are allergic 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).
To make sure you can safely take amlodipine and benazepril, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
heart disease or congestive heart failure;
diabetes; or
if you are on a low-salt diet.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use amlodipine and benazepril if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Amlodipine and benazepril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking amlodipine and benazepril.
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.