Spironolactone/Benazepril
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Spironolactone/Benazepril in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
Spironolactone/Benazepril for pets
speer-on-oh-lak-tone / ben-a-za-pril
Description
This medicine combines two types of drugs: one that blocks the effects of aldosterone (a body hormone that affects salt and water balance) and one that blocks an enzyme involved in tightening blood vessels (an ACE inhibitor).
Other Names for this Medication
- Cardalis®
Common Dosage Forms
- For animals: chewable, meat-flavored tablets that contain spironolactone/benazepril in these strengths:
- 20 mg/2.5 mg
- 40 mg/5 mg
- 80 mg/10 mg
- For people: none.
Key Information
- This medicine is approved for dogs to help control signs linked to congestive heart failure that is due to atrioventricular valvular insufficiency (AVVI).
- You must give this medicine exactly the way it was prescribed. Do not change the dose or stop giving it unless your veterinarian tells you to.
- Give this medicine with a meal, and make sure your dog can always reach clean, fresh water.
- Possible side effects include vomiting, loose stools (diarrhea), and eating less than usual. If any of these problems are strong or do not go away, contact your veterinarian.
- Your dog will need regular rechecks. These include physical exams, blood pressure checks, and blood tests. These follow-up visits are important and should not be skipped.
- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) lists spironolactone as a hazardous drug. When giving this medicine, you should consider wearing gloves, especially if you are pregnant.
How is this medication useful?
This combined spironolactone (a drug that blocks aldosterone)/benazepril (an ACE inhibitor) product is approved for dogs. It is used to manage signs related to congestive heart failure caused by atrioventricular valvular insufficiency (AVVI). The two medicines are used together to reduce strain on the heart so the heart can function better. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this option is the best fit.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many factors can change how well this medicine works for your pet. Make sure your veterinarian knows the following so you can decide on the best plan together.
- Some medicines can affect how this medicine works. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your dog receives, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Include how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your dog has now or has had before. This is especially important for liver problems, kidney problems, or a condition called hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease).
- If your dog has been treated before for the same illness or problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your pet is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine with your veterinarian.
- Also tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any past medicine reactions or side effects your pet has had, including allergic reactions, not eating, diarrhea, or itching.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
- This medicine is expected to begin working within 1 to 2 hours. Even so, you may not be able to see the effects just by watching your dog.
- The action of this medicine does not last long. It generally stops working within 24 hours. However, the helpful effects may last longer in animals whose kidneys and/or liver do not work as well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your dog.
If your pet has any of the issues listed below, discuss the possible benefits and risks with your veterinarian.
- Dogs that have had an allergy to ACE inhibitors (including benazepril and enalapril) or to spironolactone.
- Dogs that have hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease), low sodium levels, or high potassium levels in their blood.
- Dogs whose heart failure is due to problems with the aortic valve or the pulmonary valve.
- Dogs with kidney problems that are also being given nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including carprofen, grapiprant, and meloxicam.
- Dogs that are pregnant or nursing.
- Dogs with kidney disease or liver disease.
- Dogs that are young and still growing.
- Dogs with diabetes that is not well controlled, or other problems where body water, blood sugar, or body salts (electrolytes) are not balanced.
- Dogs that are taking certain other medicines, including NSAIDs.
- Dogs used for breeding.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Side effects that usually are not serious include:
If you notice the signs below, you usually do not need to panic. However, contact your veterinarian if the signs are severe, get worse, or do not stop.
- Eating less than usual, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
- Being tired or having less energy
- Drinking more than usual and needing to urinate more often
In human males, spironolactone can cause breast enlargement. It is not known whether this happens in animals. If you notice enlarged nipples or breast tissue in your pet, contact your veterinarian.
Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:
- Not wanting to drink, or urinating much less than normal
- Ongoing poor appetite
- Ongoing vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Ongoing tiredness or very low energy, being unable to stand up, or collapsing
If you notice any of the signs below, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Difficulty walking or staying steady
- Breathing faster than normal and/or breathing that looks harder than normal
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
- Too much medicine can happen if your pet takes more than intended. If you see this happen or think it may have happened, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away for instructions.
- When you call, it helps to have the package directions with you.
How should this medication be given?
To get the expected effect, you must give this medicine exactly as your veterinarian directed. It is also smart to read the prescription label and the package directions each time so you confirm you are giving it correctly.
- Give this medicine with food, or give it within 30 minutes after your dog eats.
- While your dog is taking this medicine, your dog must always have access to fresh water.
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time. In many cases, it is given for the rest of the dog’s life. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants your dog to stay on it.
- You may need refills before the full course of treatment is finished.
- Do not stop giving this medicine without speaking to your veterinarian first, because there may be important reasons to keep using it.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
- If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, do not give the missed dose. Instead, give the next dose at the regular time.
- Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist has prepared a special made version (a compounded form) for your pet, follow the storage directions and the expiration date provided for that product.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
- This medicine is not intended for people.
- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) lists spironolactone as a hazardous drug. When giving this medicine, you should consider wearing gloves, especially if you are pregnant.
- If the medicine gets on skin by accident, wash the area well with water. Keep it away from the eyes.
- If a person swallows this medicine by accident, get medical help right away. Doctors can call a Poison Control Center for guidance about human ingestion.
- Keep this medicine, and all medicines, out of reach of children and other animals.
- After you handle any medicine, wash your hands.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into a toilet and do not pour it into a sink.
- If your area has a community medicine take-back program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program, put the unused medicine and its packaging into a plastic bag that seals closed so it cannot leak. Then place that sealed bag into your household trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine for later use, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- While your dog is taking this medicine, your dog will need regular checkups. These include exams, blood pressure readings, and blood tests. These follow-up appointments are important and should not be missed.
- Some animal competitions may not allow the use of this medicine. Before entering a competition, check the rules while your pet is receiving this medicine.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”