Get Informed: Benazepril HCl
Active Ingredient(s)
Benazepril
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of high blood pressure and Congestive Heart Failure. It is an ACE inhibitor.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-13 4:12 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-12 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Benazepril
- Lotensin
- Benazepril HCl
- Benazepril Hydrochloride
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- D
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to its risk of fetal death.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 25 Jun 1991
- Est US Patients*
- 501,300
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Benazepril HCl or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Benazepril HCl
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Benazepril HCl during the past year.
Benazepril HCl Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Benazepril HCl used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 3,300 patients that use Benazepril HCl (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure | 95% | 
|
| Kidney Protection | 7% |
|
| Heart Disease/Stroke Prevention | 5% |
|
| Heart Failure/Edema | 2% |
|
How well does Benazepril HCl work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 3,300 users taking Benazepril HCl (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 83%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Benazepril HCl outweigh the bad things.
- 10%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Benazepril HCl.
Common Side Effects of Benazepril HCl
iGuard regularly polls our more than 3,300 users taking Benazepril HCl (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
24% of patients experience side-effects on Benazepril HCl
3% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Benazepril HCl
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Fatigue
-
Dizziness
-
Muscle Pain/Cramps
-
Itch/Rash
-
Loss of Libido
-
Vision Changes
-
Drowsiness
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Breathlessness, Cough, Dryness, Electrolyte Problems, Swelling/Edema
Global Patient Feedback for Benazepril HCl (Benazepril) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I'm taking 10 mg a day for my high blood pressure. it seems to be working well.
25 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-07 00:27:14
Question/Comment:
I am 31 years old. The last doctor visit I found about 3 weeks ago, found out I have HBP and am hypertensive.
Doctor prescription on 1st visit (160/120) was for Tekturon : didnt do the job
Doctor prescription on 2nd visit (154/?) was for Benazepril HCL 20mg : coughing and fatigue
I am so young and after reading this board..seems like everybody is in their 50-60's.
Just wanted to know if anybody is taking the same meds and any results?
I will find out in a week if the 2nd meds are working for me....
-mary
32 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-08 16:14:07
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Benazepril is in a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors. A common side effect of these medications is cough. Also, about 10% of iGuard patients experience drowsiness while taking benazepril. As you continue taking benazepril, your fatigue side effects should become less bothersome. If the cough is bothersome, you can ask your doctor to consider switching you to a different class of blood pressure medications.
There are also lifestyle changes that can lower blood pressure. These lifestyle changes include increasing your exercising activity level and decreasing salt intake. If you are overweight, losing weight will also help to lower your blood pressure.
Posted: 2009-08-09 23:04:40
Answer/Reply:
I am 76 years old,,female. I have taken Lotensin for years. Inital order was for 10 mgm. daily. About 5 years ago had to increase to 20 mgm.daily and add norvasc 5 mgm. I have over the r the years experienced some cough which is probably related to the Lotensin. My pressure is controled at 120/72 to 135/74.
Doris
77 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-15 18:10:14
Answer/Reply:
Hi Mary,
Not everyone on here who takes Benazepril is in their 50-60's. I am 33, and have been taking it since - let's see - I was 29 or so.
Benazepril was the first prescription my doctor tried with me, and it worked great. I have found that working out first thing in the morning helps me get a nice energy boost that overwrites any fatigue from the drug. Maybe you can try it out. I hit the gym for 45 min before work every day.
Good luck, and I hope Benazepril works for you!
Cheers! :)
G
34 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-18 12:43:55
Answer/Reply:
I am also on Benazepril HCL 20 mg. I am also exhausted and coughing. My bp is 130/73 and I am 65 female. I tried many alternatives meds with no effect so I settled with what I have. Wish I could help mcfaulf@hotmail.com
66 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-18 21:10:51
Question/Comment:
Anyone experiencing diminished sex drive because of this drug?
56 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-03-10 19:41:11
Answer/Reply:
Yes, unfortunately I do.
I used to have a very strong sex drive and since taking this med my drive has diminished significantly. My blood flow/pressure to my genital area just isn't the same and as a result I sometimes find it difficult to keep an erection.
Something I used to be quite proud of.
I have tried Viagra and Cialis. Cialis seems to work better than Viagra (for me).
52yo male
53 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-04-16 13:30:41
Answer/Reply:
i also have no interest is sex and it bothers me, can anyone help me with this, should i just stop taking the medication?
51 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-05-25 13:51:50
Question/Comment:
i take 80mg aday, most day 150 over 84 on a good day
68 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-01-29 17:31:20
Answer/Reply:
I am presently taking 10 mg lotensin once daily. I have been on the medication, but various doses, for 13 years. My blood pressure has since been in great range, only have had to lower the dose as I made healthy life changes and did not need as high of a dose.
44 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-02-18 16:51:27
Question/Comment:
I've been taking 40 mg once a day for over two years. It helps keep my blood pressure low, but I still have spells of higher pressure that has to be treated with other drugs. I haven't noticed any undue fatigue associated with it.
64 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2008-12-29 19:35:35
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
31
Patient Comments about
Benazepril HCl