Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: ACE inhibitor; diuretic; antihypertensive

Generic and brand names: benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide, oral; Lotensin-HCT

What is this medicine used for?

This combination medicine is taken by mouth to treat high blood pressure and other conditions. The ACE inhibitor relaxes blood vessels. The diuretic helps increase your flow of urine to remove excess salt and water from your body. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a stroke
• asthma
• diabetes
• gout
• heart failure or any other heart or blood vessel disease
• high cholesterol or high triglyceride levels
• imbalances of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium in the blood
• kidney or liver disease
• pancreatitis
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus)

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not take this medicine after the third month of pregnancy. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine regularly for as long as prescribed, even if you feel better. If you are taking it for high blood pressure, you must take it every day to keep your blood pressure under control.

This medicine increases urination. Take the last dose of the day before 6 PM to avoid interrupting your sleep at night.

This medicine may be taken with or without meals.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: dizziness, fainting, weakness, increased urination, dry mouth, lightheadedness, weakness, slow heartbeat.

What should I watch out for?

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without your healthcare provider's approval.

If you vomit or have diarrhea while you are taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider.

This medicine may make you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint, especially in hot weather. Be careful when exercising. If you feel faint, lie down until the reaction passes. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help. Also, drinking alcohol may make it worse. Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.

You will need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

A dry cough is common with this medicine. If the cough changes or becomes bothersome, talk to your healthcare provider. Do not take nonprescription cough medicines. The cough will go away after you stop taking the medicine.

You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. If you have any sign of infection, such as a sore throat or fever, contact your healthcare provider.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (swelling of the lips, tongue or throat; hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; trouble breathing).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, fever, bruising, mouth sores, sore throat, irregular or fast heartbeat, yellowish eyes or skin, very dry mouth, vomiting, muscle cramps.

Other: Stomach upset, diarrhea, tiredness, loss of appetite, headache, dry cough.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• ACE inhibitors such as enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), fosinopril (Monopril), captopril (Capoten), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and benazepril (Lotensin)
• alcohol
• allopurinol (Zyloprim)
• antacids such as Maalox and Mylanta (take them at least 2 hours before or after this medicine)
• aspirin or other salicylates
• barbiturates such as pentobarbital (Nembutal) and phenobarbital
• cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid)
• corticosteroids such as corticotropin (ACTH), cortisone betamethasone (Celestone), dexamethasone, fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone, A-HydroCort), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Prednisone Intensol Concentrate; Sterapred; Sterapred DS), prednisolone (Prelone ), and triamcinolone (Aristocort, Kenacort)
• cyclosporine
• diabetes medicines such as insulin, glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase), glipizide (Glucotrol), repaglinide (Prandin), metformin (Glucophage), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and pioglitazone (Actos)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• dofetilide (Tikosyn)
• herbal remedies such as dong quai, ephedra, yohimbe, ginseng, and garlic
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• narcotics such as codeine, morphine, hydrocodone (Vicodin), and oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), and ketoprofen
• other diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix), torsemide (Demadex), bumetanide (Bumex), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), spironolactone (Aldactone), triamterene (Maxzide, Dyazide), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), and amiloride (Midamor)
• other medicines for blood pressure such as losartan (Cozaar), candesartan (Atacand), and irbesartan (Avapro)
• potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.