hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril

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

Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Vaseretic, Zestoretic) or benazepril (Lotensin), or if you have ever had angioedema (hives or severe swelling of deep skin tissues sometimes caused by allergic reaction).

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to any other ACE inhibitor, such as captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).

Before taking hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (or are on dialysis), liver disease, congestive heart failure, lupus, diabetes, or an allergy to sulfa drugs.

Avoid the regular use of salt substitutes in your diet, and do not take potassium supplements while taking hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril, unless your doctor has told you to.

Some things can cause your blood pressure to get too low. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low-salt diet, or taking other diuretics (water pills). Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while taking hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril. Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting.

What is hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril?

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Benazepril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme. Benazepril lowers blood pressure and also relieves symptoms of fluid retention.

The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

Hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Vaseretic, Zestoretic) or benazepril (Lotensin), or if you have ever had angioedema (hives or severe swelling of deep skin tissues sometimes caused by allergic reaction).

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to other ACE inhibitor, such as captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• liver disease;
• congestive heart failure;
• lupus;
• diabetes; or
• an allergy to sulfa drugs.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Hydrochlorothiazide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Some things can cause your blood pressure to get too low. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low-salt diet, or taking other diuretics (water pills). Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your blood and urine may also be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Hydrochlorothiazide can interfere with the results of a thyroid test. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using a thiazide diuretic.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Store hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the tablets in their original container, along with the packet of moisture-absorbing preservative that comes with this medication.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include dizziness or feeling like you might pass out.

What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril?

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Avoid the regular use of salt substitutes in your diet, and do not take potassium supplements while taking hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril, unless your doctor has told you to.

What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling);
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• wheezing, trouble breathing.

Less serious side effects may include:

• cough;
• headache;
• dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;
• nausea, constipation, upset stomach; or
• mild skin rash, increased sweating.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril?

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

• other diuretics (water pills) or blood pressure medications;
• gold injections for arthritis;
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith); or
• insulin or diabetes medicine taken by mouth.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril.

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