Benazepril is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It is the generic version of the brand-name drug Lotensin. Benazepril is an ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor that helps open your blood vessels to reduce your blood pressure.

More than 100 million Americans suffer from high blood pressure, a condition in which blood flows too forcefully through the veins, placing stress on the cardiovascular system and leaving you at greater risk of heart attack or stroke.

Benazepril is commonly prescribed alongside lifestyle adjustments (such as a change in diet, physical activity, and not smoking) to help patients get their blood pressure under control and prevent serious heart conditions down the line.

While there are some common side effects associated with benazepril, it is important to remember that your doctor prescribed this drug because its ability to control your blood pressure outweighs any adverse effects it may cause.

The most common side effects of benazepril are headache and cough.

Rare but serious side effects of benazepril may include fainting, muscle weakness, or slow heartbeat. These could be signs of an over-concentration of potassium in your body. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these side effects.

This is not a complete list of side effects. To learn more about adverse reactions you may experience, visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage.

High blood pressure rarely has symptoms you can feel (that’s what it’s infamously known as the “silent killer”), so you may not notice any difference in the way you feel after you start taking benazepril.

Your doctor, however, should start to notice a decrease in your blood pressure within one of two weeks of your starting to take benazepril. You should continue to take benazepril for as long as your doctor deems it necessary.

Most doctors initially prescribe their patients 10 mg per day of benazepril. As the medication begins to take effect, your doctor may increase this up to 20-40 mg per day. This dosage may be administered once or twice a day as an oral medication. If you are taking prescription diuretics or suffering from renal impairment, your doctor may prescribe a smaller dose of benazepril.

Taking two doses per day has been shown to better control blood pressure than a single daily dose. Do not stop taking benazepril without consulting your doctor, and do not increase dosage without a doctor’s orders.

Benazepril is currently only available via prescription. This means the use of this drug must be authorized by a licensed health care provider.

Providers on Sesame can write a prescription – or refill an existing one – during a virtual or in-person visit. Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at a pharmacy near you. Book an online consultation with a real, licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not benazepril is right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.

Yes! Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your clinician.