Lotensin HCT

• This drug can cause serious and possibly fatal harm to an unborn baby if used during pregnancy. It is important to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication.
• Consult your medical provider for more details and to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control while taking this medication.
• If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, contact your medical provider right away.

• This medication is a combination of two drugs: an ACE inhibitor (Benazepril) and a "water pill"/diuretic (Hydrochlorothiazide).
• It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Benazepril works by relaxing blood vessels, causing them to widen. The Hydrochlorothiazide diuretic increases the amount of urine you produce, which decreases excess water and salt in your body.
• Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems.

• Take this medication by mouth, usually once a day or as directed by your medical provider. You may take this drug with or without food. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day.
• Drink adequate fluids to prevent dehydration. If you are on restricted fluid intake, consult your medical provider for further instructions.
• The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take 2 weeks before the full benefit of this drug occurs or several weeks to months when used for congestive heart failure.
• Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
• If you are also taking Cholestyramine or Colestipol, take Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide at least 4 hours before or at least 4 to 6 hours after either of those drugs.

• You may experience dizziness, light-headedness, drowsiness, headache, fatigue, blurred vision, dry cough or vomiting as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your medical provider or pharmacist right away.
• Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your medical provider has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not experience serious side effects.
• Angioedema is a rare but potential side effect. Symptoms include swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or neck. This is not considered an allergic reaction and can occur any time during treatment. This swelling can compromise the airway and be life threatening. Black patients and patients with a personal or family history of angioedema are at higher risk. If you believe you may be at higher risk, discuss alternative treatment options with your medical provider.

• This product may cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Tell your medical provider right away if you have any symptoms of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, including:

  • Extreme thirst
  • Very dry mouth
  • Muscle cramps or weakness
  • Fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
  • Confusion

• Tell your medical provider right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

  • Fainting
  • Decreased sexual ability
  • Tingling or numbness of the hands/feet
  • Decrease in vision
  • Eye pain
  • Symptoms of a high potassium blood level, such as muscle weakness or slow/irregular heartbeat
• Tell your medical provider right away if you experience signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine) or seizures, both of which are highly unlikely but very serious.

• In rare cases, this product may cause serious and possibly fatal liver disease. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage, including:

  • Nausea or vomiting that doesn't stop
  • Loss of appetite
  • Stomach or abdominal pain
  • Yellowing eyes or skin
  • Dark urine

• A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include:

  • Rash
  • Itching or swelling, especially of the face/tongue/throat
  • Severe dizziness
  • Trouble breathing

• This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, request a callback for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

• Before taking Benazepril with Hydrochlorothiazide, tell your medical provider or pharmacist if you are allergic to it, other ACE inhibitors (such as Captopril and Lisinopril) or if you have any other allergies (including an allergic reaction after exposure to certain membranes used for blood filtering). This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Go to your patient dashboard and request a medical provider callback for more details.
• In rare cases some people, especially those who already have severe heart disease, may develop worsening chest pain, a heart attack, stroke, blood clots or arrhythmias after starting this medication or increasing the dose. Get medical help right away if you experience chest pain, jaw/left arm pain, shortness of breath or unusual sweating, weakness, difficulty speaking.
• This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your medical provider or pharmacist if you have urinary problems (inability to make urine or anuria) or history of an allergic reaction which included swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat (angioedema).

• Before using this medication, tell your medical provider or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

  • An allergy to sulfonamides ("sulfa") as there may be cross-reactivity between the two classes of drugs
  • Aortic stenosis, renal artery stenosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Severe loss of body fluids, including dehydration through excessive sweating, vomiting or diarrhea
  • Mineral/electrolyte problems, such as imbalances of sodium, potassium, magnesium or calcium
  • Glaucoma or other vision issues
  • Gout
  • Lupus
  • Asthma
  • Parathyroid disease or history of elevated calcium levels
  • Porphyria
  • Skin cancer
• This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy, which can be exacerbated by alcohol or marijuana (cannabis). Do not drive, use machinery or do anything that requires alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your medical provider if you are using marijuana.
• To minimize dizziness and light-headedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.
• This drug may cause impotence, frequent urination, decreased libido, anxiety, insomnia.
• This product may affect your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium, consult your medical provider or pharmacist.
• Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
• This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. It may also increase your risk for skin cancer, especially if you take it for a long time. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your medical provider right away if you get sunburned, have skin blisters/redness or notice new or changed moles/skin lesions.
• If you have diabetes, Hydrochlorothiazide may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your medical provider. Tell your medical provider right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst or urination. Your medical provider may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program or diet.
• Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially dizziness and changes in amount of urine (kidney problems).
• Tell your medical provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using Benazepril/Hydrochlorothiazide, as the medication may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, talk to your OB/GYN right away about the risks and benefits of this medication (see also “Warnings to be aware of” section).
• A very small amount of this drug passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your OB/GYN before breastfeeding.

• Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions.
• Keep a list of all the products you use—including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products—and share it with your medical provider and pharmacist. 
• Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicines without your medical provider's approval.

• Some products that may interact with this drug are:

  • Aliskiren
  • Cholestyramine
  • Colestipol
  • Diazoxide
  • Dofetilide
  • Certain drugs that weaken the immune system or increase the risk of infection (Everolimus, Sirolimus)
  • Drugs which can increase dizziness, such as Phenobarbital or opioid analgesics
  • Drugs that may increase the level of potassium in the blood (ARBs including Losartan or Valsartan, certain antibiotics such as Bactrim or birth control pills containing Drospirenone)
  • Lithium, Duloxetine, and other antipsychotic medications
  • Multivitamins and vitamin D supplements
  • Probenecid
  • Gold injections
  • Sacubitril
  • Steroids
• A very serious reaction may occur if you are getting injections for bee/wasp sting allergy (desensitization) and are also taking Benazepril with Hydrochlorothiazide. Make sure all your medical providers know which medicines you are using.
• Some products have ingredients that could raise your blood pressure or worsen your heart failure. Tell your pharmacist what products you are using, and ask how to use them safely—especially cough-and-cold products, diet aids or NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen.

• Do not share this medication with others.
• Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise and dietary changes may increase the efficacy of this medicine. Talk to your medical provider or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.
• Lab and/or medical tests such as kidney function, potassium blood level and skin exams should be performed while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your medical provider for more details.
• Check your blood pressure regularly while taking this medication, especially when you first start this drug or when your dose is changed. Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home, and share the results with your medical provider.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

• Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom.
• Keep all medications away from children and pets.
• Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details.