Lotrel Dosages for High Blood Pressure: Your GoodRx Guide

Lotrel is a combination medication that’s used to treat high blood pressure. It contains two first-choice blood pressure medications. These are amlodipine (Norvasc), a calcium channel blocker, and benazepril (Lotensin), an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor.

Combining amlodipine and benazepril in one pill can make Lotrel a convenient option if you take the two medications separately. Alternatively, your prescriber may recommend Lotrel if you need more help lowering your blood pressure with either medication alone.

Be sure to follow your prescriber’s instructions for how to take Lotrel. They may have recommendations that are specific to your situation. Here, we’ll review common Lotrel dosages to be aware of.

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What’s the typical Lotrel dosage for adults?

The typical Lotrel starting dosage for high blood pressure in adults is 2.5 mg amlodipine / 10 mg benazepril taken by mouth once a day.

After about 2 weeks, your prescriber may evaluate how you’re responding to Lotrel. Depending on your blood pressure readings and how you tolerate the medication, your dosage may be increased. The maximum Lotrel dosage is 10 mg amlodipine / 40 mg benazepril daily.

Lotrel capsules are available in several doses as both a brand-name and generic medication:

• 2.5 mg amlodipine / 10 mg benazepril

• 5 mg amlodipine / 10 mg benazepril

• 5 mg amlodipine / 20 mg benazepril

• 5 mg amlodipine / 40 mg benazepril

• 10 mg amlodipine / 20 mg benazepril

• 10 mg amlodipine / 40 mg benazepril

Lotrel should be taken at about the same time each day. You can take your dose with or without food.

Good to know: Amlodipine and benazepril are approved for children when taken separately. But Lotrel is approved for treating high blood pressure in adults only.

Are there any dosage adjustments for health conditions?

Certain medications need to have dosage adjustments based on liver or kidney problems. For Lotrel, there are a few specific recommendations for people with these health conditions. So be sure to tell your prescriber if you have kidney or liver problems. You may also need a different dosage based on other medications you take because of drug interactions.

Liver problems

The liver is responsible for removing some of the amlodipine in Lotrel. So people with liver problems are at increased risk for higher amlodipine levels in the body, which can worsen side effects. Because of this, you may be prescribed a lower Lotrel dose if you have liver problems.

Kidney problems

People with mild or moderate kidney damage don’t need a different Lotrel dose. But those with severe kidney damage shouldn’t take Lotrel. That’s because Lotrel doesn’t come in a low enough dosage for this group.

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Drug interactions

Lotrel can interact with several medications. Some interactions can affect your Lotrel dosage because the other medication can increase or decrease its levels in the body.

You may be prescribed a lower Lotrel dose if you take one of these medications:

• Fluconazole (Diflucan)

• Ketoconazole

• Clarithromycin

• Verapamil

You may be prescribed a higher Lotrel dose if you take one of these medications or supplements:

• Rifampin (Rifadin)

• St. John’s wort

To determine potential interactions up front, show your prescriber and pharmacist your medication list.

What happens if you miss a dose of Lotrel?

If you forget to take a dose of Lotrel, take it as soon as you remember. But you shouldn’t take an extra or double dose to make up for one you’ve missed. If you remember and it’s almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Then continue with your regular schedule.

If you’re frequently forgetting your Lotrel dose, a few things can help. You can try setting an alarm on your phone, using a medication reminder app, or a pill organizer. Your healthcare team may also have suggestions for how to remember your dose.

What should you do if you take too much Lotrel?

If you take too much Lotrel, contact your prescriber or pharmacist. They can help determine whether you need medical care or if you can safely monitor symptoms at home. An extra dose or two, taken on accident, likely won’t cause significant harm. But you may notice additional side effects such as lightheadedness and dizziness.

Taking a large amount of Lotrel can cause more serious problems. You could experience severe low blood pressure (hypotension) and a fast heart beat (tachycardia). In this case, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or your healthcare team right away. If you have life-threatening symptoms, go to the ER or call 911.

How to save on Lotrel

Lotrel is available as a brand-name medication and a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you navigate ways to save on your prescription. With a free GoodRx coupon, you can get over 60% off the average retail price of generic Lotrel. At certain pharmacies, you can get generic Lotrel for as little as $14.48 per month.

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Written by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in California. She has been a retail pharmacy manager and staff pharmacist for over 7 years and has contributed drug information content to different health companies.

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