BENAZEPRIL (ben-AY-ze-pril)

Benazepril, an ACE inhibitor, is used to treat high blood pressure.

Take benazepril exactly as directed.

Contact your paediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome, cough, dizziness(especially upon standing), headache, nausea, sleepiness, tiredness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

severe allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue),
chest pain,
chills,
fainting,
fever,
hoarseness,
irregular/slow heartbeat,
light-headedness,
sore throat,
unusual stomach pain,
yellowing of the skin or eyes

If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider.

Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, besides any of the following:

potassium supplements/potassium-sparing diuretics
oral diabetes medicine
dextran sulphate
thiazide diuretics
indomethacin
thiopurines
lithium

Ask your health care provider if benazepril may interact with other medicines that you take.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you have or have ever had liver or kidney problems, kidney transplantation, or diabetes

if you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), scleroderma or a collagen vascular disease (ask your doctor if you are not sure), bone marrow suppression, low blood counts, low blood pressure, low blood sodium, high blood potassium, or narrowing or hardening of the arteries of the brain, or are dehydrated

if you are scheduled to have surgery or to receive anesthesia or kidney dialysis

if you are to receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery

Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it

Diabetes patients - Benazepril may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture.

If you conceive whilst on a course with this medication inform your doctor immediately.

If you need to undergo any kind of surgery, inform your doctor you are taking this medicine.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, breast feeding or planning to conceive.