Benazepril (HCl)
Benazepril (HCl) Information

About Benazepril (HCl)

Benazepril (HCl) is an angeotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI). Benazepril (HCl) is a prodrug, converted into benazeprilat which is the active form of the drug. It lowers systemic vascular resistance and mean diastolic, and systolic blood pressure in various hypertensive states. ACE inhibitors have a perticularly useful role in treating patients with diabetic nephropathy. They have also proved to be extremely useful in the treatment of heart failure, and after MI (myocardial infarction).

Indications

Benazepril (HCl) is primarily indicated in conditions like Arterial hypertension, Congestive heart failure.

Contraindication

Benazepril (HCl) is contraindicated in conditions like Hypersensitivity,Angioedema.

Side Effects

Benazepril (HCl) produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Sustained tachycardia. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Benazepril (HCl) therapy.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Benazepril (HCl) are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Dizziness, Vertigo, Headache, Fatigue, Nausea, Hypotension, Somnolence, Cough, Azotemia.

Warnings

Benazepril should be use carefully in patients of kidney insufficiency, severe liver dysfunction, hypervolemia, angioedema and pre-existing bone marrow depression. Patients with renal artery stenosis should not receive benazepril because renal insufficiency can result from inhibition of the renin-aldosterone system, which maintains GFR in these cases. Other types of renal disease can actually improve during benazepril therapy. The dose of benazepril should be adjusted in patients with renal impairment. Monitoring and dosage adjustments may be necessary in patients with hepatic impairment. Benazepril should be used with caution patients with hyperkalemia, in patients with congestive heart failure. Initial doses should be lower than in the treatment of hypertension because of a greater risk of developing hypotension. Hypotension may aggravate ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease or cerebrovascular disease precipitating a myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident. It is classified as pregnancy category C and should be used with caution during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Pregnant Mothers.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.