Amlodipine+benazepril
About Amlodipine+benazepril
Amlodipine+benazepril is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure. By lowering elevated blood pressure, it helps prevent serious cardiovascular issues such as heart attacks and strokes. This medication is designed for the long-term management of hypertension.
To get the best results, you should take Amlodipine+benazepril consistently at the same time every day. You can take this medication with or without food, depending on what works best for your routine. Making positive lifestyle adjustments, such as eating a low-salt diet and getting regular physical activity, will also help this medicine work more effectively.
While taking Amlodipine+benazepril, you may experience mild side effects like a dry cough, dizziness, or light swelling in your ankles. Most of these symptoms are temporary, but you should contact your doctor immediately if you notice severe swelling of your face, lips, or throat, or if you experience severe lightheadedness.
Before you begin taking Amlodipine+benazepril, it is important to talk to your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver damage, or heart problems. Do not take this if you are pregnant, as this medication can cause serious harm or even death to an unborn baby. It is also not recommended for individuals with a history of severe allergic swelling known as angioedema.
This medication can interact with other substances, including potassium supplements, alcohol, and certain pain relievers like ibuprofen, which can put extra strain on your kidneys. If you are breastfeeding, elderly, or planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to ensure this treatment is safe for you.
Uses of Amlodipine+benazepril
Medicinal Benefits
Taking Amlodipine+benazepril consistently provides several vital health benefits that help keep your body functioning safely.
Benefits may include:
- By keeping your blood pressure stable, it reduces the physical strain placed on your heart and blood vessels every day.
- This protective effect significantly lowers your risk of life-threatening events like strokes and heart attacks.
- Additionally, maintaining controlled blood pressure levels helps prevent long-term damage to critical organs, especially your kidneys and eyes.
Directions for Use
- Take Amlodipine+benazepril with or without food or as advised by a doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication, to ensure the safety.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Amlodipine+benazepril
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- A persistent dry cough
- Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up quickly
- Swelling in your ankles, feet, or lower legs
- Headaches
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away)
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, which may cause difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Severe dizziness, fainting, or feeling like you might pass out
- Chest pain or a rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Signs of kidney problems, such as a sudden change in how much urine you pass
- Signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of your skin or eyes
Drug Warnings
- Stand up slowly: To prevent dizziness or fainting, take your time when rising from a sitting or lying position.
- Stop immediately if pregnant: This medication can cause severe harm to an unborn baby. If you suspect you are pregnant, stop taking the medication and call your doctor right away.
- Watch for severe swelling: If you experience swelling of your face, tongue, or throat, stop taking Amlodipine+benazepril and seek emergency medical care immediately.
- Be cautious with pain relievers: Avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen without consulting your doctor, as they can reduce the effectiveness of your blood pressure medicine and increase the risk of kidney damage.
- Do not skip doses: High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so it is vital to keep taking Amlodipine+benazepril daily even if you feel perfectly healthy.
Drug Interactions
- Potassium supplements and potassium-sparing water pills: Combining these with Amlodipine+benazepril can raise potassium levels in your blood to unsafe levels.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen): May lower the effectiveness of your blood pressure treatment and increase the risk of kidney damage.
- Mood stabiliser medicines (e.g., lithium): May increase the level of lithium in your blood, raising the risk of toxicity.
- Other blood pressure medications: Taking multiple blood pressure-lowering drugs together can cause your blood pressure to drop too low.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionDo not consume alcohol along with Amlodipine+benazepril to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeAmlodipine+benazepril is not recommended in pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Amlodipine+benazepril, consult your doctor immediately.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is no substantial research yet on using Amlodipine+benazepril in breastfeeding women. Let your doctor know if you are a nursing mother before taking Amlodipine+benazepril; your doctor will decide whether breastfeeding mothers can take Amlodipine+benazepril or not.
Driving
cautionDriving after taking Amlodipine+benazepril is not recommended as it may occasionally cause feeling tired or feeling dizzy.
Liver
cautionAmlodipine+benazepril to be taken with caution, especially if you have a liver disease history. Inform your doctor before taking Amlodipine+benazepril if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionAmlodipine+benazepril to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Inform your doctor before taking Amlodipine+benazepril if you have a history of kidney diseases/disorders. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
unsafeUse of Amlodipine+benazepril in children under six years of age is not recommended as the safety and efficacy of Amlodipine+benazepril in these age groups have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Adopt a low-sodium diet: Reducing your salt intake directly helps lower blood pressure and supports the effectiveness of Amlodipine+benazepril.
- Avoid potassium-based salt substitutes: This medication can increase potassium levels in your blood. Avoid using salt substitutes containing potassium without consulting your doctor.
- Incorporate regular exercise: Engage in moderate physical activities like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
- Monitor your blood pressure: Keep a regular log of your blood pressure readings at home to share with your doctor during checkups.
- Limit alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol can interact with your medicine, causing your blood pressure to drop too low and increasing dizziness.
Special Advise
If you are pregnant, avoid using amlodipine and benazepril. Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking amlodipine with benazepril. Amlodipine and benazepril have the potential to harm the fetus.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Blood pressure: It is the measurement of the force that our heart uses to pump blood to all parts of the body. Hypertension is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when the blood supply to the heart is blocked). High blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. High blood pressure can be diagnosed with the help of a blood pressure monitor. Systolic pressure is the pressure with which the heart pumps blood. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is when your heart is resting between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg, and diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg.
FAQs
Amlodipine+benazepril is used to treat Hypertension (high blood pressure).
Amlodipine+benazepril contains Amlodipine (calcium channel blocker) and Benazepril (angiotensin receptor blocker). Together, Amlodipine and Benazepril effectively relax and widen your blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.
You are not recommended to stop using Amlodipine+benazepril without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the condition or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Amlodipine+benazepril for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Amlodipine+benazepril, please consult your doctor.
If you have missed a dose of Amlodipine+benazepril, you are advised to take it as soon as you remember. However, try not to miss a dose in the first place; if it's time for you to take your next dose, then do not take both doses together. Take only one dose; taking a double dose of Amlodipine+benazepril will lead to low blood pressure.
Inform your doctor and monitor your blood pressure for at least two weeks before stopping the medicine. Depending upon your current blood pressure readings, there is a possibility your doctor may lower your medicine dosage and not recommend discontinuing it.
Amlodipine+benazepril can be safely taken as long as your doctor prescribes it. High blood pressure is life-long, and one should not abruptly discontinue it without discussing it with a doctor.
Having a lot of grapefruit or grapefruit juice can raise the concentration of amlodipine in your body and worsen the negative effects. If you are impacted, you should avoid eating or drinking grapefruit while taking amlodipine. Follow your doctor's recommendations for a low-salt or low-sodium diet.
You may improve your heart health by making key lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol. Consume many fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and lean proteins. Regular exercise reduces blood pressure by maintaining the health of your heart and blood vessels.
Yes, Amlodipine+benazepril contains amlodipine, which is known to cause ankle swelling upon long-term use. Please try to keep your feet up when sitting for long hours. If the problem persists still, consult your doctor and do as advised.
No, you should not take Amlodipine+benazepril if you are pregnant. This medication can cause serious harm, developmental issues, or death to an unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters. If you become pregnant or plan to become pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. Talk to your doctor.
One of the active ingredients prevents the breakdown of a natural substance in your body called bradykinin, which can lead to a persistent, tickling, dry cough. If this cough becomes bothersome or does not go away, do not take cough medicine without consulting your physician. Talk to your doctor.
It is highly recommended to limit or avoid alcohol. Alcohol can enhance the blood pressure-lowering effect of the medication, making you feel severely dizzy, lightheaded, or prone to fainting when standing up. Talk to your doctor.
Mild ankle swelling is a known side effect of this type of blood pressure medication. Elevating your legs when sitting can help. However, if the swelling is sudden, painful, or accompanied by breathing difficulties, you should seek medical advice promptly. Talk to your doctor.
Most commercial salt substitutes contain potassium chloride instead of sodium. Because Amlodipine+benazepril can naturally increase the amount of potassium in your body, using these substitutes can lead to dangerously high potassium levels. Talk to your doctor.
Yes. High blood pressure is often called a 'silent killer' because it rarely has noticeable symptoms. Even if you feel healthy, the medication is working quietly to protect your heart, blood vessels, and kidneys from silent damage. Talk to your doctor.
Yes, this can happen, especially when you first start taking the medication or when gradually increasing the dose. It occurs because your blood pressure drops. To manage this safely, rise slowly from a sitting or lying position. Talk to your doctor.
