Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Lotensin (Benazepril). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Lotensin (Benazepril) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Lotensin (Benazepril). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal pain
• change to the sense of taste
• Constipation
• cough (dry, persistent)
• decreased sexual ability
• Diarrhea
• headache
• heartburn
• increased sensitivity to the sun
• muscle or joint pain
• nausea
• ringing in the ears
• sore throat or throat irritation
• unusual tiredness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• decreased urine output
• dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting (signs of Low Blood Pressure)
• numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• signs of Anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., dizziness, pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath)
• signs of electrolyte changes (e.g., confusion, drowsiness, Dry Mouth, muscle fatigue, nausea, thirst, weakness)
• signs of an infection (e.g., Fever and chills, hoarseness, other flu-like symptoms)
• signs of bleeding (e.g., bloody nose, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don't stop bleeding)
• signs of Depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
• signs of kidney problems (e.g., decreased urine production, swelling, fatigue, abdominal pain)
• signs of low blood sugar (e.g., cold clammy skin, dizziness, fatigue, sweating)
• signs of reduced liver function (e.g., stomach pain, itching of skin, yellow eyes or skin, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, fever, nausea, or vomiting)
• signs of pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen)
• signs of too much potassium in the body (e.g., confusion, irregular heartbeat, nervousness, numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, weakness or heaviness of legs)
• skin rash with or without itching, fever, or joint pain
• vision changes

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• chest pain
• signs of a Heart Attack (e.g., chest pain or pressure, pain extending through shoulder and arm, nausea and vomiting, sweating)
• signs of Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) (e.g., swelling of face, mouth, hands, or feet (signs of angioedema), sudden difficulty swallowing or breathing)
• symptoms of a serious skin reaction (such as skin rash; red skin; blistering of the lips, eyes, or mouth; skin peeling; fever; or joint pain)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Lotensin (Benazepril).

5 mg
Each light yellow, ovaloid, slightly biconvex, film-coated tablet, imprinted "LV" on one side and "CG" on the other side with a score on both sides, contains 5 mg of Lotensin (Benazepril) HCl. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cellulose compounds, colloidal silicon dioxide, cornstarch, crospovidone, hydrogenated castor oil, iron oxide, lactose, polyethylene glycol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

20 mg
Each light orange, round, slightly biconvex, film-coated tablet, with bevelled edges, contains 20 mg of Lotensin (Benazepril) HCl. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cellulose compounds, colloidal silicon dioxide, cornstarch, crospovidone, hydrogenated castor oil, iron oxide, lactose, polyethylene glycol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Do not take Lotensin (Benazepril) if you:

• are allergic to Lotensin (Benazepril) or any ingredients of the medication
• are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
• have a history of angioedema (a serious allergic reaction which causes the area around the throat and tongue to swell) after taking any medications known as ACE inhibitors (e.g., Captopril, Enalapril, Fosinopril, Lisinopril, Ramipril)
• have galactose intolerance or glucose malabsorption (a rare hereditary disease)
• have Diabetes or kidney disease and are taking Aliskiren

There may be an interaction between Lotensin (Benazepril) and any of the following:

• acetylsalicylic acid (Asa)
• Aldesleukin
• alpha blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin)
• aliskiren
• Allopurinol
• alpha-1 blockers (e.g., doxazosin, Prazosin, tamsulosin)
• alpha-2 blockers (e.g., Clonidine, dexmedetomidine, methyldopa)
• Amiodarone
• amifostine
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, phentermine)
• angiotensin II receptor blockers (e.g., Irbesartan, Losartan, Valsartan)
• antacids (e.g., aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Azathioprine
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, Phenobarbital)
• beta-blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Carvedilol, Propranolol)
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Canagliflozin
• Celecoxib
• conivaptan
• Cyclosporine
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)
• drospirenone
• Duloxetine
• erythropoietin
• Everolimus
• ginger
• ginseng
• "gliptin" diabetes medications (e.g., Linagliptin, Saxagliptin, Sitagliptin)
• gold salts
• grass pollen extract
• Heparin
• iron dextran complex
• levodopa
• low-molecular-weight heparins (e.g., Dalteparin, Tinzaparin)
• licorice
• lithium
• MAO inhibitors (e.g., Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline)
• medications that increase potassium levels (e.g., potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium)
• Metformin
• Methylphenidate
• nitrates (e.g., Nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Naproxen)
• Obinutuzumab
• other angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; e.g., captopril, ramipril)
• phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil)
• potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g., Spironolactone, Amiloride, triamterene)
• Pramipexole
• Pregabalin
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin)
• Rituximab
• Ropinirole
• sacubitril
• Sirolimus
• sodium phosphates
• Temsirolimus
• Tizanidine
• tolcapone
• Tolvaptan
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Trimipramine)
• Trimethoprim

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Lotensin (Benazepril). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Lotensin (Benazepril).

Angioedema: Angioedema (a serious allergic reaction that causes the area around the throat and tongue to swell) may occur with the use of ACE inhibitors, including Lotensin (Benazepril). If you experience swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, stop taking Lotensin (Benazepril) at once and get immediate medical attention. Other medications known as ACE inhibitors should not be taken in the future. People who have had angioedema caused by other substances may be at increased risk of angioedema while receiving an ACE inhibitor.

Diabetes: People with diabetes who take Lotensin (Benazepril) may experience reduced blood sugar control. If you have diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Lotensin (Benazepril) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Lotensin (Benazepril), and whether any special monitoring is needed. You may find it helpful to increase the number of times a day your check your blood sugar.

Fluid and electrolyte balance: Increases in blood levels of potassium may occur in with the use of Lotensin (Benazepril). This rarely causes problems, but your doctor will monitor your potassium levels regularly with blood tests. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you experience symptoms of increased potassium in the body, such as confusion, irregular heartbeat, unusual nervousness, or tingling in the hands and feet.

Infection: Some people taking Lotensin (Benazepril) experience a reduction in the cells that fight infection (white blood cells), which results in infections. Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you begin to notice the signs of an infection such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness. Your doctor will do blood tests to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells in your blood.

Kidney function: Changes in kidney function have been seen in certain people who take Lotensin (Benazepril). The use of aliskiren may further increase risk of kidney problems for those at risk for this problem. If you have kidney disease, including narrowing of the blood vessels in the kidneys, or severe Congestive Heart Failure, discuss with your doctor how Lotensin (Benazepril) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Lotensin (Benazepril), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Occasionally, hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) occurs with the use of Lotensin (Benazepril). If you have reduced liver function or liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Lotensin (Benazepril) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Lotensin (Benazepril), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Low blood pressure: Occasionally, blood pressure drops too low after taking Lotensin (Benazepril). This usually happens after the first or second dose, or when the dose is increased. It is more likely to occur in those who take water pills, have a salt-restricted diet, are on dialysis, are suffering from diarrhea or vomiting, or have been sweating excessively and not drinking enough liquids. If low blood pressure causes you to faint or feel lightheaded, contact a doctor.

Surgery: Lotensin (Benazepril) may affect how anaesthetics work. If you are scheduled for surgery, inform all doctors involved in your care that you take Lotensin (Benazepril).

Pregnancy: Lotensin (Benazepril), like other ACE inhibitors, can cause birth defects and even death to the developing fetus when taken by a women who is pregnant. Pregnant women should not take Lotensin (Benazepril). If you become pregnant while taking Lotensin (Benazepril), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Lotensin (Benazepril) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Lotensin (Benazepril), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Lotensin (Benazepril) have not been established for children.