Benazepril (Lotensin) is in a class of medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

Take Benazepril (Lotensin) exactly as directed.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

Cough; dizziness, especially upon standing; headache; nausea; sleepiness; tiredness

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; chills; fainting; fever; hoarseness; irregular or slow heartbeat; lightheadedness; sore throat; unusual stomach pain; yellowing of the skin or eyes

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider.

Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Dextran sulfate or thiazide diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of serious damage to the kidney (eg, decreased urine output, weight gain) may be increased
Lithium because toxic side effects (eg, tiredness; confusion; slurred speech; muscle tremors, spasms, weakness, or involuntary movements; seizures; loss of consciousness; coma) may be increased by Benazepril (Lotensin)
Indomethacin because it may decrease Benazepril (Lotensin)'s effectiveness
Oral diabetes medicine (eg, glyburide) because side effects, including low blood sugar levels (eg, hunger, shakiness or weakness, dizziness, headache, sweating), may be increased by Lotensin
Potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, amiloride) may cause high blood potassium levels, resulting in listlessness, confusion, abnormal skin sensations of the arms and legs, heaviness of limbs, slow or irregular heartbeat, or stopping of the heart
Thiopurines (eg, azathioprine) because the risk of their side effects (eg, a low white blood cell count, increase in infections) may be increased by Benazepril (Lotensin)

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Benazepril (Lotensin) may interact with other medicines that you take.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Benazepril (Lotensin) is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure.

Benazepril (Lotensin) may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture.

Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

if you have or have ever had liver or kidney problems, kidney transplantation, or diabetes

if you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), scleroderma or a collagen vascular disease (ask your doctor if you are not sure), bone marrow suppression, low blood counts, low blood pressure, low blood sodium, high blood potassium, or narrowing or hardening of the arteries of the brain, or are dehydrated

if you are scheduled to have surgery or to receive anesthesia or kidney dialysis

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Benazepril (Lotensin) before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery

Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it

Diabetes patients - Benazepril (Lotensin) may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely

If you have any questions about Benazepril (Lotensin), please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider