Brand Names: Lotensin HCT

Generic Name: hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril (Pronunciation: HYE droe KLOR oh THY a zide and ben AZ e pril)

• What is hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril (Lotensin Hct)?
• What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril (Lotensin Hct)?
• What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril (Lotensin Hct)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril (Lotensin Hct)?
• How should I take hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril (Lotensin Hct)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Lotensin Hct)?
• What happens if I overdose (Lotensin Hct)?
• What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril (Lotensin Hct)?
• What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril (Lotensin Hct)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril (Lotensin Hct)?

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme. Benazepril lowers blood pressure and also relieves symptoms of fluid retention.

The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

Hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Benazepril-HCTZ 10 mg-12.5 mg-EON

oblong, pink, imprinted with E 204

Benazepril-HCTZ 10-12.5 mg-MYL

round, beige, imprinted with M 735

Benazepril-HCTZ 20 mg-12.5 mg-EON

oblong, pink, imprinted with E 211

Benazepril-HCTZ 20 mg-25 mg-EON

oblong, red, imprinted with E 277

Benazepril-HCTZ 20-12.5 mg-MYL

oblong, beige, imprinted with M 745

Benazepril-HCTZ 20-25 mg-MYL

oval, beige, imprinted with M 775

Benazepril-HCTZ 5 mg-6.25 mg-EON

oblong, white, imprinted with E 124

Benazepril-HCTZ 5-6.25 mg-MYL

oval, beige, imprinted with M 725

Lotensin 10-12.5 mg

oblong, pink, imprinted with LOTENSIN HCT, 72 72

Lotensin 20-25 mg

oblong, red, imprinted with LOTENSIN HCT, 75 75

Lotensin HCT 20-12.5 mg

oblong, lavender, imprinted with LOTENSIN HCT, 74 74

Lotensin HCT 5-6.25 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with LOTENSIN HCT, 57 57

What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril (Lotensin Hct)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• eye pain, vision problems;
• high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling);
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• wheezing, trouble breathing.

Less serious side effects may include:

• cough;
• headache;
• dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;
• nausea, constipation, upset stomach; or
• mild skin rash, increased sweating.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Lotensin Hct (benazepril hcl and hctz) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril (Lotensin Hct)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Vaseretic, Zestoretic) or benazepril (Lotensin), or if you have ever had angioedema (hives or severe swelling of deep skin tissues sometimes caused by allergic reaction).

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to any other ACE inhibitor, such as captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).

Before taking hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (or are on dialysis), liver disease, glaucoma, congestive heart failure, lupus, diabetes, or an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin.

Avoid the regular use of salt substitutes in your diet, and do not take potassium supplements while taking hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril, unless your doctor has told you to.

Some things can cause your blood pressure to get too low. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low-salt diet, or taking other diuretics (water pills). Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while taking hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril. Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting.