Safely Buy Lotensin HCT ( Benazepril/Hctz ) from Canada Prescriptions Plus.

Indications

Lotensin HCT is used to treat hypertension, known as high blood pressure. Lotensin HCT is a combination drug that contains two active ingredients: benazepril hydrochloride, which is an ACE inhibitor, and hydrochlorothiazide, which is a thiazide diuretic.

The combination of these two medications helps to lower blood pressure by reducing the amount of water and salt in the body, relaxing blood vessels, and improving blood flow. This can help prevent complications associated with high blood pressure, such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney problems.

Use and Dosage

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once a day. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day.

Drink adequate fluids to prevent you from becoming dehydrated. If you are on restricted fluid intake, consult your doctor 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.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, severe stomach pain, difficulty breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, a red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

You may be more likely to have an allergic reaction if you are African-American.

Serious side effects include:

• A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights
• Fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, or mouth sores
• Signs of an electrolyte imbalance–leg cramps, constipation, muscle pain or weakness, irregular heartbeats, feeling jittery, increased thirst or urination, or numbness or tingling, loss of movement
• Kidney problems–little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, or feeling tired or short of breath
• New or worsening symptoms of lupus–joint pain and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight

Common side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril may include:

• Dizziness
• Cough
• Headache
• Feeling tired

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Cautions

• Before taking benazepril with hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to 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. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
• Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease (such as anuria), liver disease, history of an allergic reaction which included swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat (angioedema), severe loss of body fluids (dehydration through excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea), mineral/electrolyte problems (such as imbalance of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium), gout, lupus, asthma, skin cancer.
• This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
• To minimize dizziness and light-headedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.
• This product may affect your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
• 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 doctor 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 doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor 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 the amount of urine (kidney problems).
• A very small amount of this drug passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Forms and Strengths

Lotensin HCT is available in the following forms and strengths:

• Lotensin HCT Tablet:
  • 10/12.5 mg
• Benazepril/Hctz Tablet:
  • 10/12.5 mg
  • 20/12.5 mg
  • 20/25 mg

FAQ

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Overdose symptoms may include increased thirst, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril?

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Drinking alcohol may increase certain side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril.

Resources:

1. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-16169/lotensin-hct-oral/details
2. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/020033s038lbl.pdf
3. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/hydrochlorothiazide-and-benazepril.html#side-effects