Amlodipine Benazepril for Hypertension & Chest Pain

Amlodipine Benazepril is a combination medication prescribed mainly by doctors for the treatment of high blood pressure and chest pain. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker while benazepril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. The combination medication was FDA- approved for medical use in the US in 1995 and was one of the most prescribed drugs in 2016.

What condition does Amlodipine Benazepril treat?

The combination of Amlodipine and Benazepril can treat cardiovascular illnesses such as:

• High blood pressure (hypertension) – It is a common condition that adds workload to the heart. When left untreated, high blood pressure can cause damages to the heart, blood vessels, kidney and other vital organs. Damages to these organs may cause heart failure, stroke, heart attack loss of vision, kidney problems and many more. According to the American Heart Association Disease and Stroke Statistics 2018 update, an estimated 103 million U.S adults have high blood pressure.
• Angina pectoris (chest pain) due to heart attack– Angina pectoris or chest pain is most common among people with high blood pressure. During an angina attack, patients usually feel like a heavy crushing or pain in the center of the chest behind the breast bone. Sometimes it can radiate out into the neck, throat, and arms. Angina pectoris happens when there is an increasing demand for oxygen that cannot be met by the heart. In most cases, it is caused by the thickening of the heart arteries. As the arteries thicken, blood flow to the heart muscles is reduced.

How do Amlodipine Benazepril works?

• Amlodipine is a blood pressure-lowering agent. It belongs to the group of drugs known as calcium channel blockers or CCBs. As a calcium channel blocker, this drug works by blocking the transport of calcium into the smooth muscle cells that line the arteries of the heart and other parts of the body. Blocking the transport of calcium relaxes and expands the arterial muscles in the heart and arterial muscles found in other parts of the body. When this happens, the supply of blood to the heart increases. As a result, the heart won’t have to pump blood as hard as it could thus lowering the blood pressure. Reducing the heart’s workload also lessens the heart’s need for more oxygen, thereby preventing angina attacks.
• Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin-converting enzyme. This drug inhibits the action of angiotensin II that causes muscle contraction surrounding the arteries and constriction of arteries in other parts of the body. Inhibiting the action of angiotensin II lowers the blood pressure and reduces the workload of the heart, thereby benefits patients with cardiovascular ailments.

What is the dosage of Amlodipine Benazepril?

• Your dose depends on the strength of the medicine and your condition. The dose for an adult in treating high blood pressure is amlodipine 2.5mg and benazepril 10mg once a day.
• The maximum dose should not exceed 10mg of amlodipine and 40mg of benazepril per day.
• The dose for children must be determined by the doctor.

How to take Amlodipine Benazepril?

• This combination drug comes in a tablet form for you to take orally.
• Follow your doctor’s order when taking Amlodipine Benazepril.
• Do not change your dose unless your doctor tells you to do so.
• For a missed dose, take it as soon as possible but if it is almost time for you to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule.
• Amlodipine Benazepril may not works alone in treating high blood pressure. In addition to taking your medication, making lifestyle changes will also help manage your condition. These changes include exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, a diet low in salt, drinking alcoholic beverages in moderation and avoiding smoking.
• Amlodipine Benazepril can only help control your blood pressure but it won’t cure your condition. Continue taking this even if you feel well. Do not stop taking your medication unless you are told to do so.

What are the precautions in taking Amlodipine Benazepril?

• To make sure you can safely take this drug, tell your doctor if you have any of the following condition:
  • Kidney or liver disease
  • Diabetes
  • Congestive heart failure
• Amlodipine Benazepril is not suitable for people with:
  • Unstable heart failure after a heart attack
  • Unstable angina
  • Very low blood pressure or hypotension
  • An ongoing angina attack as this can only reduce the number and severity of attacks but it won’t work quickly enough in relieving an angina attack.
  • Aortic stenosis or the narrowing of the main artery
  • Those who are allergic to any of its active ingredients
  • Cardiogenic shock

• Do not take this drug if you are allergic to any of its active ingredients or if you ever have had angioedema or severe swelling of the deep skin tissue due to allergic reaction.
• This drug is unsafe for the unborn baby. It can cause injury or even death, especially during the second or third trimester. Do not take this if you are pregnant. If you suspect that you are pregnant, discontinue medication and contact your doctor.
• Be careful when you do anything that requires you to be alert and awake as this medication may impair your thinking or reactions.
• Diarrhea, too much sweating or vomiting may cause dehydration or loss of too much body water and increase your risk of lightheadedness. If this happens, call your doctor. Be sure to drink enough fluids to keep your body hydrated.
• This drug may increase your potassium level. Do not use a salt substitute or potassium supplements while under medication.

Costs of Generic Amlodipine Benazepril vs Lotrel

The brand name version is a moderately expensive drug compared with the generic name. Amlodipine Benazepril 5/10mg cost $.77 per unit price or $69 for 90 tabs. While the brand name Lotrel cost $867.75 for 90 tabs or $9.64 per unit price.