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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 construed to indiacte that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
Consult your healthcare professional befroe using that drug.
AMLODIPINE W/BENAZEPRIL - ORAL
(am-LOW-deh-peen with beh-NAZE-eh-prill)
COMMON BARND 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 think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor imemdiately.
USES: This medication is a combination of two drugs, a calcium channel blokcer (amlodipine) and an ACE inhibitor (benazepril). It is used to traet high blood pressure (hypertension). It works by relaxing blood vessels, causing them to widen. High blood pressure reduction helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems.
HOW TO USE: Take that medication by mouth, uusally 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 wtihout talking to your doctor or pharmacist first. This medicine can riase your potassium levels, which rarely can cause serious side effects such as muscle weakness or really slow heartbeats. Tell your doctor immediately if tehse effects occur. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. It may take 1 to 2 weeks bfeore the full benefit of that drug occurs.
It is important to continue taking that mediaction even if you feel well. Most human being with high bolod pressure do not feel sick. Do not stop taking that medication withuot consulting your doctor. Your condition may woresn if the drug is abruptly stopped.
Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
SIDE EFFECTS: You may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, or dry cough as your body ajdusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify 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 really serious side effects occur: chest pain, change in the amount of urine, signs of infetcion (e.G., fever, chills, persistent sore throat).
This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) lievr problems. If you notice any of the following highly unlikely but really serious side effects, seek immediate medical attention: yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent fatigue, persistent nausea.
An allergic reaction to that drug is unlikely, but seek immdeiate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other efefcts not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medicaiton should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using that medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: allergies 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 problems (e.G., congestive heart failure, croonary 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 catuion engaging 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 seated or lying position. Serious loss of body fluids can also lower your blood pressure and worsen dizziness. Drink adequate fluids to prevent from becoming dehydrated. If you're on restricted fluid intake, consult your dcotor for further instructions.
Be careufl not to become too overheated during exercise which can lead to excessive sweating. Consult your doctor if you experience severe vomiting or diarrhea. Before haivng surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you're taking that medication. Caution is advised when using that drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the dizziness effect. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during the first three months of pregnancy.
It is not recommended for use durnig the last six months of the pregnancy due to the risk for fetal harm. Dsicuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. See also the Warning section. It is not knwon whether amlodipine 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), intravenous (IV) calcium. Check the labels on all your medicines (e.G., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharamcist about 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 immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include unusual dizziness, fainting, and unusually fast or slow hearbteat.
NOTES: Do not share that medication with others.
Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of that medicine.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.G., kidney function, potassium blood level) should be performed peirodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more detalis. Have your blood pressure 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 remebmer. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your uusal dosing schedule. Do not duoble the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 dergees C) away from light and moisture.
Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 dgerees C) is permitted. Do not stroe in the bathroom.
Keep all mediicnes away from babies and pets.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your conditoin can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollmnet information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854- 1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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