Pronunciation: am-LOE-di-peen/ben-AZ-e-pril
Generic Name: Amlodipine/Benazepril
Brand Name: Lotrel
Do not take Lotrel if you are pregnant. Lotrel can cause injury and possibly death to a developing fetus when used during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor at once if you think that you are pregnant.
Lotrel is used for:
Treating high blood pressure in certain patients.
Lotrel is a combination of 2 blood pressure medicines, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and a calcium channel blocker. It works by helping your blood vessels relax (dilate), which lowers blood pressure.
Do NOT use Lotrel if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Lotrel or any ACE inhibitor (eg, lisinopril)
- you have a history of angioedema (eg, swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; unusual hoarseness)
- you have severe kidney problems
- you are pregnant
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Lotrel:
Some medical conditions may interact with Lotrel. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement, especially extra potassium or a salt substitute
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you are able to become pregnant
- if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure, aortic stenosis, a recent heart attack, angina, coronary artery disease), blood vessel problems, blood flow problems, bone marrow problems, kidney problems (eg, renal artery stenosis), liver problems, or a kidney transplant
- if you have a collagen vascular disease (eg, systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE or lupus], hardening of the skin disease [scleroderma]), bone marrow suppression, low blood counts, or narrowing or hardening of the arteries of the brain
- if you are dehydrated, have low blood volume, or low blood pressure
- if you have high blood potassium levels, low blood sodium levels, or are on a low-salt (sodium) diet
- if you have diabetes, especially if you are also taking aliskiren
- if you are receiving treatments to reduce sensitivity to bee or wasp stings
- if you are receiving kidney dialysis or apheresis, or you are scheduled to have surgery or receive anesthesia
- if you take other medicines for high blood pressure or heart failure
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Lotrel. Tell your health care provider if you are taking other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), aliskiren, potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone, triamterene), potassium supplements, or trimethoprim because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased
- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (eg, losartan) because the risk of serious kidney problems and high blood potassium levels may be increased
- Dextran sulfate because the risk of serious side effects, including low blood pressure or severe allergic reactions, may be increased
- Certain gold-containing medicines (eg, sodium aurothiomalate) because flushing, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure may occur
- Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), imidazoles (eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole), mTOR inhibitors (eg, everolimus), or vasopressin receptor antagonists (eg, conivaptan) because they may increase the risk of Lotrel's side effects
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin) because the risk of serious damage to the kidneys (eg, decrease in amount of urine, weight gain) may be increased or they may decrease Lotrel's effectiveness
- Iron given by injection (eg, iron dextran), lithium, simvastatin, sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide), or thiopurines (eg, azathioprine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Lotrel
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Lotrel may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Lotrel:
Use Lotrel as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Lotrel. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Take Lotrel by mouth with or without food.
- Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the risk of side effects from Lotrel. Talk with your doctor before including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet.
- Take Lotrel on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
- Taking Lotrel at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
- Do NOT take more than prescribed unless advised to do so by your doctor.
- If you miss a dose of Lotrel, take it as soon as possible. If it is within 12 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Lotrel.
Important safety information:
- Lotrel may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Take Lotrel with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Lotrel may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- It may take up to 2 weeks to receive the full benefits from Lotrel. Do not stop taking Lotrel without checking with your doctor.
- Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
- Drink plenty of fluids while taking Lotrel and avoid engaging in activities that cause excessive sweating. Dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea may lead to a fall in blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur.
- A persistent, unproductive cough may occur. Tell your doctor if this occurs. Recovery is usually rapid when the medicine is stopped.
- Lotrel may cause a serious side effect called angioedema. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness.
- Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
- Lotrel may not work as well in black patients. They may also be at greater risk of side effects (eg, angioedema). Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse.
- Proper dental care is important while you are taking Lotrel. Brush and floss your teeth and visit the dentist regularly.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Lotrel before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Lab tests, including blood potassium levels, blood pressure, and kidney function, may be performed while you take Lotrel. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Lotrel with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Lotrel should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not take Lotrel if you are pregnant. It may cause fetal or newborn death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Lotrel is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Lotrel.
Possible side effects of Lotrel:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Dizziness; headache; persistent, dry cough.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty swallowing or breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, hands, eyes, throat, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); blisters or sores in the mouth, nose, throat, or on the genitals; dark urine; decreased urination; fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; irregular, fast, or slow heartbeat; loss of appetite; muscle cramps, pain, or weakness; new or worsening chest pain (eg, longer, more often, more severe); pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent dizziness or lightheadedness; severe or persistent nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting; severe stomach pain; swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles; symptoms of a heart attack (eg, chest, jaw, or left arm pain; numbness of an arm or leg; sudden, severe headache or vomiting); tender, bleeding, or swollen gums; unexplained weight gain; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual weakness or fatigue; wheezing; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Lotrel side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness; fast heartbeat; flushing of the skin; lightheadedness; loss of consciousness.
Proper storage of Lotrel:
Store Lotrel at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Lotrel out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Lotrel, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Lotrel is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Lotrel. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Lotrel resources
- Lotrel Side Effects (in more detail)
- Lotrel Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Lotrel Drug Interactions
- Lotrel Support Group
- 20 Reviews for Lotrel - Add your own review/rating
- Lotrel Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Lotrel Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Lotrel Consumer Overview
Compare Lotrel with other medications
- High Blood Pressure
No comments:
Post a Comment