Benazepril

Benazepril, sold under the brand name Lotensin among others, is a medication used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and diabetic kidney disease. It is a reasonable initial treatment for high blood pressure. It is taken by mouth. Versions are available as the combinations benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril/amlodipine.

Common side effects include feeling tired, dizziness, cough, and light-headedness with standing. Serious side effects may include kidney problems, low blood pressure, high blood potassium, and angioedema. Use in pregnancy may harm the baby, while use when breastfeeding may be safe.[2] It is an ACE inhibitor and works by decreasing renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity.[3]

Benazepril was patented in 1981 and came into medical use in 1990. It is available as a generic medication.[3] In 2023, it was the 172nd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2million prescriptions.[4][5]

Medical uses

Lotensin is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure.[1][3]

Side effects

The most common side effects patients experience are a headache or a chronic cough. The chronic cough develops in about 20% of people treated.[6]

Contraindications

Benazepril can harm the fetus.[7]

Dosage forms

It is also available in combination with hydrochlorothiazide, under the brand name Lotensin HCT, and with amlodipine (Lotrel).

Veterinary uses

Under the brand names Fortekor (Novartis)[8] and VetACE (Jurox Animal Health),[9] benazepril is used to treat congestive heart failure in dogs[10][11] and chronic kidney failure in cats and dogs.[12]