How to Choose the Best Blood Pressure Medication for You
Certain blood pressure medications are better suited to you than others, depending on your age, race, and blood pressure reading. Learn more here.
benazepril
Used for Hypertension
Used for Hypertension
Benazepril, also known as the brand name Lotensin, is used to lower blood pressure in people 6 years and older. It's a type of blood pressure medication called an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, or ACE inhibitor. Benazepril (Lotensin) comes as tablets. You take your dosage by mouth either once or twice daily. Common side effects include headache, cough, and dizziness.
What is Benazepril (Lotensin)?
What is Benazepril (Lotensin) used for?
How Benazepril (Lotensin) works
Benazepril (Lotensin) is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It works by blocking your body from making angiotensin II, a hormone that tightens your blood vessels. This helps your blood vessels relax so your blood pressure goes down.
When does Benazepril (Lotensin) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Lotensin |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | ACE inhibitor |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Benazepril (Lotensin) essentials
Side effects of Benazepril (Lotensin)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache (6%)
- Dizziness (4%)
- Drowsiness (2%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Cough
- Nausea
- Muscle pain
- Rash
Benazepril (Lotensin) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Angioedema: swelling in the face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, or feet; trouble breathing; wheezing; stomach pain; nausea; vomiting
- Serious allergic reaction: rash; hives; trouble breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Very low blood pressure: lightheadedness, dizziness, feeling faint, tiredness, confusion
- Serious kidney problems: urinating less than usual, swelling in your feet or ankles, unexplained weight gain
- High potassium levels: nausea, muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, pounding heart
When do Benazepril (Lotensin) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Dizziness
Cough
Risk of swelling (angioedema)
Seek immediate medical care if you experience this side effect.
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
More on Benazepril (Lotensin) side effects
The following Benazepril (Lotensin) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Chills
cold sweats
confusion
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
Arm, back, or jaw pain
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
chest pain or discomfort
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
feeling of warmth
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
rapid breathing
rapid weight gain
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
skin rash
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
sweating
tingling of the hands or feet
unusual weight gain or loss
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Headache
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$9.000
GoodRx discount
$9.00
Pros and cons of Benazepril (Lotensin)
Pros
- A first-choice blood pressure medication for most people
- Can protect kidney function in people with diabetes or mild-to-moderate kidney problems
- Dose can be adjusted based on how well the medication works for you
Cons
- Can cause dry cough
- Might not work as well for Black people
- Not safe to take if you're pregnant
Pharmacist tips for Benazepril (Lotensin)
- You can take benazepril (Lotensin) with or without food at any time of day. It's most important to choose a time that works best for you and take it around the same time each day. This can help the medication give consistent results.
- After you take benazepril (Lotensin), it starts to lower your blood pressure within 1 hour. It can take up to 4 hours for one dose to have its full effect. But it can take a few weeks of treatment to see the overall effect on your blood pressure.
- Check your blood pressure at home as instructed. Write down your readings and share them with your prescriber at your follow-up visits. This helps you and your prescriber keep track of how well benazepril (Lotensin) is working. If needed, your prescriber might adjust your treatment plan to manage your blood pressure better.
- Benazepril (Lotensin) can make you feel dizzy because it lowers your blood pressure. This is more common when you first start and when you switch to a higher dose. It usually gets better as your body gets used to your new blood pressure. But tell your prescriber if the dizziness doesn't go away or if it affects your daily life. They might need to lower your dose or change your medication.
- Some people get a dry cough while taking benazepril (Lotensin). If this happens, honey and a humidifier might help relieve this cough. But if the cough bothers you too much, tell your prescriber. They can help choose a different blood pressure medication for you.
- Although rare, benazepril (Lotensin) can cause liver or kidney problems in some people. It can also raise potassium levels, which can be dangerous. Be sure to get any blood tests ordered by your prescriber. These blood tests help check for these risks and make sure the medication is safe for you.
- Let your prescriber know if you're pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant. Benazepril (Lotensin) isn't safe to take while pregnant because it can harm an unborn baby. Your prescriber can talk to you about safer options to help manage your blood pressure during pregnancy.
Risks and warnings for Benazepril (Lotensin)
Benazepril (Lotensin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Harm to an unborn baby
Benazepril (Lotensin) can cause severe and sometimes life-threatening harm to an unborn baby if it's taken during pregnancy. This can include serious birth defects and complications. The risk is higher if you take this medication during the second or third trimester.
Because of this risk, avoid taking benazepril (Lotensin) while pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medication and let your prescriber know right away. They'll help you switch to a treatment that's safer for you and your baby.
Angioedema (swelling)
- Risk factors: History of angioedema | Black people | Also taking Entresto (sacubitril / valsartan) | Also taking mTOR inhibitors (e.g., sirolimus, everolimus)
Angioedema can happen at any time while you're taking benazepril (Lotensin). It causes swelling in different parts of the body, like the face, throat, and tongue. Swelling can also happen in the arms, legs, and gut. The risk is higher if you're Black.
Angioedema can be life-threatening, particularly if it causes your throat or tongue to swell. This is because it can make it hard to breathe. When swelling happens in the gut, you might have stomach pain with or without nausea or vomiting.
Stop taking benazepril (Lotensin) and get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, swelling of the face or tongue, or stomach pain. These can be signs of angioedema. The medical team can help manage these symptoms.
Worsening kidney problems
- Risk factors: Dehydration | History of kidney problems | Blockage of the kidney artery (renal artery stenosis) | Severe heart failure | Recent heart attack
Benazepril (Lotensin) can help protect the kidneys for some people. But in some cases, it can make kidney problems worse. The risk is higher for people who are dehydrated or who have certain health conditions, like a blockage of the kidney artery (renal artery stenosis) or severe heart failure.
Your prescriber might order lab tests every so often to make sure your kidneys are working well while you're taking benazepril (Lotensin). If the results show any problems, your prescriber will decide what to do next. Tell your care team if you notice you're urinating less than usual. This could be a sign that your kidneys aren't working as well and your care team can check out what's going on.
Low blood pressure
- Risk factors: Dehydration | Low-salt diet | Heart failure | Heart disease | Low sodium levels | People on dialysis | Taking water pills (diuretics)
Sometimes, benazepril (Lotensin) can cause your blood pressure to drop too much. Low blood pressure can make you feel dizzy, tired, or lightheaded. This can happen especially when you first start the medication and when your dose gets raised.
Stay well hydrated while taking benazepril (Lotensin). This can help make sure your blood pressure doesn't drop too low. Lie down if you feel dizzy or feel like you're about to faint. Hold onto something when you get up and stand up slowly. Tell your care team if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, tired, or confused often while taking this medication.
High potassium levels
- Risk factors: Diabetes | Kidney problems | Taking other medications that also raise potassium levels
Very rarely, benazepril (Lotensin) can cause your potassium levels to get too high. This can sometimes be dangerous. Your risk is higher if you have diabetes or kidney problems. The chance is also greater if you take other medications that also raise potassium levels, such as potassium supplements or some water pills (diuretics).
Let your prescriber know about your medical history and the medications you take before starting benazepril (Lotensin). They can check your risk of high potassium levels.
Your prescriber might check your potassium levels periodically during treatment. Call your care team if you feel nauseous, muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, or an irregular heartbeat while taking this medication. These can be signs of high potassium levels.
Liver problems
Although rare, ACE inhibitors like benazepril (Lotensin) have been linked to liver problem. It can start with yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes. But it can sometimes lead to more serious liver failure. Your prescriber might order blood tests to check your liver health from time to time during treatment.
While taking benazepril (Lotensin), let your care team know if you start to have stomach pain or yellow skin or eyes. These can be signs of liver problems.
Benazepril (Lotensin) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 40mg of Benazepril (Lotensin) is $9.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 0.00% off the average retail price of $9.00. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5mg | 30 tablets | $10.21 | $0.34 |
| 10mg | 90 tablets | $19.43 | $0.22 |
| 20mg | 90 tablets | $15.94 | $0.18 |
| 40mg | 30 tablets | $9.00 | $0.30 |
Typical dosage for Benazepril (Lotensin)
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Adults: The typical starting dose is 10 mg by mouth once daily. For people who take a water pill, the typical starting dose of benazepril (Lotensin) is 5 mg by mouth once daily. Your prescriber will adjust your dose based on how well the medication is working. The usual maintenance dose ranges from 20 mg to 40 mg, once daily or split into two even doses taken twice daily.
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Children ages 6 years and older: The prescriber will determine the dose based on your child's body weight. The typical starting dose is 0.2 mg/kg taken by mouth once daily. If needed, your child's prescriber will raise their dose slowly over time. The maximum dose is 0.6 mg/kg (up to 40 mg) once daily.
Your dose might differ if you have kidney problems.
More on Benazepril (Lotensin) dosage
Interactions between Benazepril (Lotensin) and other drugs
Benazepril (Lotensin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Benazepril (Lotensin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Aliskiren
- Sacubitril
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alteplase, Recombinant
- Amiloride
- Azathioprine
- Azilsartan
- Azilsartan Medoxomil
- Candesartan Cilexetil
- Canrenoate
- Eplerenone
- Eprosartan
- Everolimus
- Irbesartan
- Lithium
- Losartan
- Mercaptopurine
- Olmesartan Medoxomil
- Potassium
- Sirolimus
- Spironolactone
- Telmisartan
- Triamterene
- Trimethoprim
- Valsartan
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Azosemide
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Bumetanide
- Bupivacaine
- Bupivacaine Liposome
- Capsaicin
- Celecoxib
- Choline Salicylate
- Clonixin
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Dipyrone
- Droxicam
- Ethacrynic Acid
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flurbiprofen
- Furosemide
- Gold Sodium Thiomalate
- Ibuprofen
- Indomethacin
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Morniflumate
- Nabumetone
- Naproxen
- Nepafenac
- Nesiritide
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Piretanide
- Piroxicam
- Proglumetacin
- Propionic Acid
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Rofecoxib
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Sodium Salicylate
- Sulindac
- Tenoxicam
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Torsemide
- Valdecoxib
How much does Benazepril (Lotensin) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Benazepril (Lotensin) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Benazepril (Lotensin) will not be safe for you to take.
- History of angioedema
- Take a neprilysin inhibitor, for example Entresto (sacubitril / valsartan)
- Have diabetes and take aliskiren (Tekturna)
What are alternatives to Benazepril (Lotensin)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Benazepril (Lotensin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Benazepril (Lotensin) images
