lotrel

Lotrel contains a combination of amlodipine and benazepril. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. Amlodipine relaxes (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow.

Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme. Benazepril also widens blood vessels and also prevents the body from retaining water.

Lotrel is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Lotrel may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Lotrel can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

You should not use Lotrel if you have ever had angioedema (hives or severe swelling of deep skin tissues sometimes caused by allergic reaction).

If you have diabetes, do not use Lotrel together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking Lotrel, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Lotrel if:

• you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta, Amturnide) or benazepril (Lotensin);

• you have ever had angioedema (hives or severe swelling of deep skin tissues sometimes caused by allergic reaction); or

• 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).

If you have diabetes, do not use Lotrel together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).

You may also need to avoid taking Lotrel with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

To make sure Lotrel is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

• liver disease;

• heart disease or congestive heart failure;

• a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren"s syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis;

• if you are on a low-salt diet.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Lotrel can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control.

Amlodipine and benazepril can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Lotrel.

How should I take Lotrel?

Take Lotrel exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Lotrel can be taken with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day.

Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medicine.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. You may also need frequent blood tests at your doctor"s office.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Lotrel. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

You may have very low blood pressure while taking this medicine. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. Prolonged illness can lead to a serious electrolyte imbalance, making it dangerous for you to use Lotrel.

Keep using Lotrel as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Lotrel dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 1 capsule (amlodipine 2.5 mg-benazepril 10 mg) orally once a day.
Maintenance dose: May increase every week up to a dose of amlodipine 10 mg-benazepril 40 mg orally once a day.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you are more than 12 hours late, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Lotrel?

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking Lotrel, unless your doctor has told you to.

Lotrel side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Lotrel: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. You may be more likely to have an allergic reaction if you are African-American.

Some side effects may not occur until after you have used the medicine for several months.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain;

• new or worsened chest pain;

• fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms;

• high potassium--nausea, slow or unusual heart rate, weakness, loss of movement; or

• liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common Lotrel side effects may include:

• cough;

• dizziness; or

• headache.

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.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Lotrel?

Many drugs can interact with amlodipine and benazepril. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• gold injections to treat arthritis;

• a shot for bee-sting allergy;

• lithium;

• simvastatin;

• medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection, such as everolimus, sirolimus, or tacrolimus;

• a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others;

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

• salt substitutes that contain potassium; or

• a diuretic (water pill).

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with amlodipine and benazepril. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.