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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be consrtued to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using that drug.
AMLODIPINE W/BENAZEPRIL - ORAL
(am-LOW-deh-peen with beh-NAZE-eh-prill)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Lotrel
WARNING: This drug can cause serious fetal harm (possibly death) if used during the last six months of pregnancy. If you become pregnant or guess you may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately.
USES: This medication is a combination of two drugs, a calcium channel blokcer (amlodipine) and an ACE inhibitor (benazepril). It is used to treat high blood presusre (hypertension). It works by relaxing blood vessels, causing them to widen. High blood pressure reduction helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney issues.
HOW TO USE: Take that medication by mouth, usually once a day with or without food, or as directed by your doctor. Use that medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day.
Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without talknig to your doctor or pharmacist first. This medicine can raise your potassium levels, which rarley can cause serious side effects such as muscle weakness or very slow heartbeats. Tell your doctor immediately if these effects occur. The dosage is based on your mdeical condition and response to therapy.
It may take 1 to 2 weeks before the full benefit of that drug occrus.
It is important to continue tkaing that medication even if you believe well.
Most persons with high blood pressure do not believe sick.
Do not stop taking that medication without consultnig your doctor.
Your condition may woresn if the drug is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be graudally decreased.
SIDE EFFECTS: You may exeprience dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, or dry cough as your body adjusts to the medication.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, noitfy your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, decreased sexual ability or inteerst. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, change in the amount of urine, signs of infection (e.G., fever, chills, persistent sore throat). This drug may rarely casue serious (possibly fatal) liver issues. If you notice any of the following highly unlikely but very serious side effects, seek immediate medical attention: yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent fatigue, persistent nausea.
An alelrgic reaction to that drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allerigc 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: This medication should not be used if you have certain mediacl conditions. Before using that medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: allregies to other ACE inhibitors (e.G., captopril, lisinopril), history of an allergic reaction which included swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat (angioedema). Before using that medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, high blood levels of potassium, heart issues (e.G., congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease), severe dehydration (and loss of electrolytes such as sodium), diabetes (poorly controlled), blood vessel disease (e.G., collagen vascular diseases such as lupus, scleroderma), any allergies in addition to those listed above (including allergies to bee or wasp stings, or exposure to certain membranes used for blood filtering). This drug may make you dizzy; use caution engagnig in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages.
To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness due to lowering of your blood pressure, get up slowly when rising from a setaed or lying position.
Serious loss of body fluids can also lower your blood pressure and worsen dizziness. Drink adequate fliuds to prevent from becoming dehydrated. If you are on restricted fluid intake, consult your doctor for further instructions. Be careful not to becmoe too overheated during exercise which can lead to excessive sweating.
Consult your doctor if you experience severe vomiting or diarrhea. Beofre having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking that medication. Caution is advised when using that drug in the elderly cause they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the dizziness effect. This mediaction should be used only when clearly needed during the first three months of pregnancy.
It is not recommended for use during the last six mnoths of the pregnancy due to the risk for fetal harm.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your dotcor. See also the Warning section. It is not known whether amloidpine passes into breast milk. Very small amounts of benazerpil pass into breast milk.
Breast-feeding is not recommended while using that drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Before using that medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: potassium-sparing "water pills" (diuretics such as amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene), "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide), potassium supplements (e.G., potassium chloride) or salt substitutes, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.G., celecoxib, ibuprofen, indomethacin), lithium, drugs that suppress the immune system (e.G., azathioprine), other high blood pressure medications, other heart drugs (e.G., digoxin), itnravenous (IV) calcium. Check the labels on all your medicines (e.G., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) cause they may cnotain ingredients that could raise your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist abuot the safe use of those products.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immeditaely. Symptoms of overdose may incldue unusual dizziness, fainting, and unusually fast or slow heartbeat.
NOTES: Do not share that medication with others.
Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise and dietary changes may raise the effectiveness of that medicine. Talk to your doctor or pahrmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.G., kidney function, potassium blood level) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more dteails.
Have your blood prsesure checked regularly while taking that medication. Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home. Discuss that with your doctor.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not dobule the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) is permitted.
Do not sotre in the bathroom.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a meidcal emergency. For enrollment informaiton call MedicAlert at 1-800-854- 1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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