Generic name: Benazepril
Brand name: Lotensin
General Information:
Lotensin belongs to a group of drugs called ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors. This medicament is prescribed to treat high blood pressure. Controlling your blood pressure will help to avoid strokes, kidney problems and heart attacks. This drug may also be prescribed to help protect the kidneys due to diabetes and with other drugs (e.g., “water pills”/diuretics, digoxin) to treat congestive heart failure.
Your doctor may prescribe this remedy for other purposes. Contact your physician if you need to learn more information about this drug.
Don’t stop treatment with Lotensin earlier than it was prescribed by your doctor even if you notice improvements of your condition. Stopping the medication too early may worsen your condition. Be careful about doing dangerous tasks, driving, operating machinery or climbing until you are aware how this drug affects you. Don’t drink alcohol. Always contact a medic before giving Lotensin to a child.
What symptoms or conditions should I report to a doctor before I take this medicine?
It is important to report to a doctor if you have or had the following conditions:
- diabetes
- an unusual or allergic reaction to Lotensin, other preservatives, medicines, foods or dyes
- heart disease
- liver disease
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis)
- congestive heart failure
- a connective tissue disease such as Sjogren’s syndrome, Marfan syndrome, scleroderma, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis
How do I take this medicine?
Note: This remedy was prescribed to you only. Don’t share this medicament with others. Follow strictly your doctor’s recommendations. Don’t take more or longer than your doctor recommended.
Take Lotensin orally with some water with or without food. Take the doses on the rigid schedule. Avoid taking the medication more often than prescribed.
Overdosage:
Taking any medicine in large doses you can have serious consequences for your health. If you feel an overdose, contact your health care professional instantly.
In large doses, this remedy may cause the following conditions:
- dizziness
- lightheadedness
- fainting
- weakness
What should be done if I missed the dose?
In case you forgot to take the dose, take it at your earliest opportunity. Never double your dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Take only one dose at once.
Interactions:
- Diabetes medication (insulin or Micronase)
- Potassium-sparing diuretics such as Dyazide, Aldactone and Moduretic
- Barbiturates (phenobarbital)
- Norepinephrine (Levophed)
- Cholestyramine (Questran)
- Lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith)
- Salt substitutes containing potassium
- Colestipol (Colestid)
- Digoxin (Lanoxin)
- Corticosteroids such as prednisone or ACTH
- Narcotics such as Percocet
- Diuretics such as HydroDIURIL and Lasix
- Potassium supplements (Slow-K and K-Dur)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Naprosyn)
- Other high blood pressure medications
- Alcohol may increase the effect of Lotensin HCT, and could cause dizziness or fainting
This list of interactions may be not complete. Provide your medical practitioners entire list of medicines, herbs, dietary supplements or non-prescription drugs you take. Moreover tell them whether you drink alcohol, use illegal drugs or smoke. Particular items may interact with your drug.
Side Effects:
Contact your physician immediately if you notice any of the following
Serious side effects:
- allergy like skin rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, hives, itching, difficulty breathing
- swelling
- feeling light-headed
- fever
- fainting
- pale skin
- urinating more or less than usual, or not at all
- easy bruising or bleeding
- flu symptoms
- rapid weight gain
- body aches
- peeling
- chills
- fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats
- severe blistering
- chest pain
Less serious side effects:
- dizziness
- cough
- nausea
- headache
- drowsiness
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- mild skin itching or rash
This list of side effects may be not complete, others may occur. Inform your medical practitioners about all side effects you experience.
Important Information:
Lab tests, including blood pressure, blood electrolytes, kidney function and blood cell counts may be required. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
This drug may not work in black patients. They may also be at greater risk of side effects. Avoid standing or sitting up quickly, especially if you are an older patient.
You may need to stop taking Lotensin iIf you are going to have any type of surgery. Inform your surgeon that you are taking Lotensin. Consult your physician before using salt substitutes containing potassium. Follow doctor’s recommendations if he prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet.
FDA pregnancy category D. Contact your doctor before you start taking Lotensin if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breast-feeding.
Storage:
Lotensin should be stored at room temperature, in a tightly closed container. Protect from moisture, direct heat, and light. Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink. Keep Lotensin out of the reach of children and away from animals.
Warning: Before taking the drug you need to consult your doctor. The information contained in this article is not intended to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, adverse effects, directions, uses, allergic reactions or warnings.
He knows everything about medications – to which pharmacological group the drug belongs, what components are included in its composition, how it differs from its analogs, what indications, contraindications, and side effects remedy has. John is a real pro in his field, so he knows all these subtleties and wants to tell you about them.