Lotrel prescription

Lotrel

This page contains drug information on Lotrel.
The information provided includes the following:

what is Lotrel
the possible side effects of Lotrel
what happens if you miss a dose of Lotrel
what happens if you overdose with Lotrel
the most important information about Lotrel
how to use Lotrel
other drugs that may affect Lotrel
what to avoid while using Lotrel

Generic Name: amlodipine and benazepril (am LOE di peen and ben AY ze pril)
Brand Names: Lotrel

What is the most important information I should know about amlodipine and benazepril?

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Do not take amlodipine and benazepril if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, ACE inhibitors (benazepril) can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus. Notify your doctor immediately if you think you might be pregnant.

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Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor approves. If you stop taking your medication, your condition could become much worse.

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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Amlodipine and benazepril may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.

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Benazepril may increase the risk of dangerous allergic reactions. Before taking amlodipine and benazepril, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction that involved swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat or difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop any of these symptoms while taking amlodipine and benazepril.

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Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or other causes of fluid loss may lead to very low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting during therapy with amlodipine and benazepril. Maintain proper fluid intake to prevent dehydration and related side effects.

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Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizziness that may occur while taking benazepril (an ACE inhibitor).

What is amlodipine and benazepril?

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Amlodipine is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine relaxes (widens) your blood vessels (veins and arteries), which makes it easier for your heart to pump and reduces its workload.

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Benazepril is in a class of drugs called angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). Benazepril prevents chemicals in your body from causing narrowing of the blood vessels.

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The combination, amlodipine and benazepril, is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

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Amlodipine and benazepril may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amlodipine and benazepril?

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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

have liver disease;

have kidney disease;

have diabetes;

have a collagen vascular disorder;

have other diseases of the heart or blood vessels such as heart failure, aortic stenosis, or low blood pressure; or

are taking salt substitutes, potassium supplements (e.g., K-Dur, Klor-Con), or a potassium-sparing diuretic such as amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone).

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You may not be able to take amlodipine and benazepril, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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Amlodipine and benazepril is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that amlodipine and benazepril will harm an unborn baby. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, ACE inhibitors (benazepril) can cause injury and even death of the developing fetus. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

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It is also not known whether amlodipine and benazepril passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from benazepril (an ACE inhibitor). You may require a lower dose of the medication.

How should I take amlodipine and benazepril?

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Take amlodipine and benazepril exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Take each dose with a full glass of water.

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Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor approves. If you stop taking your medication, your condition could become much worse.

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Store amlodipine and benazepril at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention.

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Symptoms of an amlodipine and benazepril overdose are not known but might include dizziness, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, unusually fast or slow heartbeat, coma, slurred speech, and confusion.

What should I avoid while taking amlodipine and benazepril?

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Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking amlodipine and benazepril, except under the supervision of your doctor.

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Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizziness that may occur while taking benazepril which is an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (an ACE inhibitor).

What are the possible side effects of amlodipine and benazepril?

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking amlodipine and benazepril and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

chest pain;

an irregular heartbeat or changes in your heartbeat;

severe dizziness or fainting;

little or no urine production;

jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes); or

swelling of your legs or ankles.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take amlodipine and benazepril and talk to your doctor if you experience

headache or dizziness;

dry, tickling cough;

fatigue or tiredness;

abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation;

impotence;

anxiety or insomnia; or

flushing, itching, or rash.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect amlodipine and benazepril?

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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others;

salt substitutes that contain potassium;

any of the diuretics (water pills) triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide), spironolactone (Aldactone), and amiloride (Midamor);

any other diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, others), furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), indapamide (Lozol), and others; or

lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others).

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You may not be able to take amlodipine and benazepril, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with amlodipine and benazepril or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has additional information about amlodipine and benazepril written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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