Type of medicine: calcium channel blocker; ACE inhibitor
Generic and brand names: amlodipine and benazepril, oral; Lotrel
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat and control high blood pressure. It contains both a calcium channel blocker and an ACE inhibitor.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you are on a low-salt diet.
Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Take it regularly every day, even if you start to feel better. You may need to take it for a long time to control your blood pressure.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach. This medicine is usually taken once a day.
Take it with a full glass of water. Swallow the medicine without crushing, breaking, or chewing it.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is within 12 hours of the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed.
Do not take double doses. If you are not sure about what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: dizziness, fast heartbeat, lightheadedness, fainting, weakness, flushing.
You may develop a cough when you take this medicine. This is usually a dry cough that does not produce mucus. Do not treat yourself for coughs or colds while you are taking this medicine without asking your healthcare provider for advice. Talk to your provider if the cough continues.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
This medicine may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when you first start taking it. You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help. If you feel dizzy or faint while you are standing, lie down for a while and then get up slowly, Also, drinking alcohol may make it worse. Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.
You need to check your blood pressure regularly while taking this medicine. You may need to have blood tests to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Check with your healthcare provider if you have severe diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, or if you sweat a lot. The loss of body fluid can make it dangerous to take this medicine.
You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. If you have any sign of infection, such as a sore throat or fever, contact your healthcare provider.
Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements unless your healthcare provider approves.
If you are receiving allergy shots for bee stings, tell your healthcare provider you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot contact your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (swelling of your tongue, throat, lips, or face; trouble swallowing; hives; itching; tightness or pain in your chest; trouble breathing); severe dizziness or fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; severe abdominal pain; chest pain.
Serious: Yellowing of skin or eyes, unexplained weight gain, swelling in hands or feet, change in how much you urinate, sore throat, fever, muscle cramps.
Other: Cough, headache, trouble sleeping, nervousness, flushing, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, dizziness, tiredness, stuffy nose, swelling or pain in the gums, change in sexual ability or desire.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit juice. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
