WARNING: This drug can cause serious fetal harm (possibly death) if used during the last 6 months of pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately.
USES: This medication is a combination of two drugs, an ACE inhibitor (benazepril) and a water pill/diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide). It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Benazepril works by relaxing blood vessels, causing them to widen. The hydrochlorothiazide diuretic increases the amount of urine you make, therefore decreasing excess water and salt in your body. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.
OTHER USES: This medication may also be used to treat congestive heart failure and help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth, usually once a day or as directed by your doctor. You may take this drug with or without food. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day. Drink adequate fluids to prevent from becoming dehydrated. If you are on restricted fluid intake, consult your doctor for further instructions. Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first. This medicine can infrequently raise or lower your potassium blood levels, which rarely can cause serious side effects such as muscle weakness/cramping or very slow heartbeats. Tell your doctor immediately if these effects occur. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take 2 weeks before the full benefit of this drug occurs or several weeks to months when used for congestive heart failure. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. If you are also taking cholestyramine or colestipol, take benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide at least 2 hours before either of those drugs.
SIDE EFFECTS: You may experience dizziness, light-headedness, drowsiness, headache, fatigue, blurred vision, dry cough, or vomiting as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: unusual thirst, weakness, confusion, fast heartbeat, fainting, decreased sexual ability, tingling or numbness of the hands/feet, chest pain. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: unusual change in the amount of urine (after the first several days of starting this drug), seizures, signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, persistent sore throat). This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver problems. If you notice any of the following highly unlikely but very serious side effects, seek immediate medical attention: yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent fatigue, persistent nausea. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking benazepril with hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or to other ACE inhibitors (e.g., captopril, lisinopril) or if you have any other allergies (including allergies to sulfa drugs, bee/wasp stings, or exposure to certain membranes used for blood filtering). This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: urinary problems (inability to make urine or anuria), history of an allergic reaction which included swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat (angioedema). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, heart problems, severe loss of body fluids (dehydration through excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea), mineral/electrolyte problems (e.g., imbalance of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium), diabetes, strokes, gout, high levels of fats in the blood (high cholesterol or triglycerides), asthma, blood vessel disease (e.g., collagen vascular diseases such as lupus, scleroderma). This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. To minimize dizziness and light-headedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication. Hydrochlo
