Benazepril
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Benazepril during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
Key Information
Note: This handout is meant to address questions people often ask. It does not include every detail that exists about this medicine. It also does not replace guidance from your veterinary care team.
- Benazepril may be used for pets with heart failure, high blood pressure, and certain types of kidney disease.
- You can give this medicine either with food or without food.
- Keep fresh, clean drinking water available for your animal at all times.
- While your pet is taking this medicine, your veterinarian will need to check things like blood test results and blood pressure.
- Side effects that are often seen include eating less, vomiting, diarrhea, drinking more and peeing more, and having less energy.
- Call your veterinarian if you see gums that look pale or feel dry, very low energy, or weakness.
Description
- This medicine is an ACE inhibitor, meaning it blocks a body process that helps control blood pressure.
- It comes as tablets that are given by mouth.
Other common names
Fortekor, Lotensin
Uses
This medicine is not specifically approved for animals, but it is approved for people. Your veterinarian may still choose to use it in animals (this is called extra-label use). It may be used to help manage:
- Heart failure in dogs and cats
- Too much protein in the urine (proteinuria) in dogs and cats
- High blood pressure in dogs and cats
Before this medication is given
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Talk with your veterinarian about:
- Any medicines or supplements your animal is taking now
- Any health problems your animal has now, or has had before
- Any past reactions or side effects your animal has had from medicines
- What risks may exist if your animal is pregnant or nursing
Warnings for animals
Do not use in animals:
- That have an allergy to this medicine or to other ACE inhibitors, such as enalapril
- That are pregnant
Use with caution in animals:
- With low sodium levels (hyponatremia)
- With low blood pressure
- With severe heart failure
- That are dehydrated
- With kidney, liver, or blood problems
- With certain immune-system diseases such as lupus
Some animal sports or competitions do not allow certain medicines. If your animal competes, check the rules while your animal is taking this medicine.
Warnings for humans
- After you handle any medicine, wash your hands.
How do I give this medication?
- Give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed it.
- You may give it with food or without food. If your animal gets an upset stomach, giving it with food may help.
- Make sure your animal always has plenty of fresh drinking water.
Side effects
Common — contact your veterinarian if these problems are strong, keep happening, or get worse over time:
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Eating less
- Drinking more and peeing more
- Low energy. This usually improves as time goes on.
Severe — stop giving the medicine and contact your veterinarian right away if you notice:
- Not eating at all, especially in cats
- Weakness, collapsing, fever, or a rash
- Very low energy, weakness, or gums that are dry or pale. These can be signs of dehydration or low blood pressure.
- Cough. In people, a dry cough that does not go away is common, but in animals this is uncommon.
How will I know it's working?
- You will not be able to directly see what this medicine is doing.
- Your veterinarian will need to do follow-up testing to check how well it is working.
How long will the medication effects last?
- The medicine will no longer work within 24 hours after the last dose.
- If your animal’s kidneys or liver do not work as well, the effects may continue longer.
How long do I give it for?
This medicine may be used for different time periods, but it is often used for the rest of the animal’s life. Give it for the length of time your veterinarian instructs. Refill on time so treatment is not interrupted.
Overdose
If you see an overdose happen, or you think it may have happened, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service right away (a consultation fee may apply). If you can, have the container or label available.
Missed dose
In most situations, if a dose is missed:
- Give the dose as soon as you remember, and then go back to the usual schedule. If it is almost time for the next dose:
- Do not give the missed dose.
- Give the next dose at the normal time.
- Keep following the regular schedule.
If you are not sure what to do, call your veterinary clinic. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
Storage
- Keep the tablets in the original container at room temperature.
- Keep the container dry and protect it from moisture.
- Store where children and animals cannot reach it.
Disposal
Do not put this medicine into the toilet or pour it into a sink drain. Ways to get rid of unused or expired medicine include:
- Medication take-back locations: This is the best option when available. To locate a site near you, contact local law enforcement or your waste management office.
- Throwing away at home: Combine the medicine with used coffee grounds or kitty litter, place it in a sealed plastic bag, and put it in the trash.
Do not keep leftover medicine for later use and do not give it to anyone else.
Questions?
Talk to your veterinarian.
“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.”