An ACE inhibitor for high blood pressure
Benazepril
An ACE inhibitor used to lower high blood pressure, which can cause a dry cough and must be avoided in pregnancy.
What is Benazepril?
Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor used to lower high blood pressure. It works by relaxing and widening the blood vessels, which makes it easier for the heart to pump and lowers the pressure inside them. A common and harmless but annoying side effect is a persistent dry cough. It can raise potassium levels and affect the kidneys, so blood tests are used to check these. It must not be taken in pregnancy because it can harm the baby, and, rarely, it can cause a serious swelling reaction called angioedema, which needs urgent help.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Benazepril — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Benazepril is one of a group of blood-pressure medicines called ACE inhibitors. It is used mainly to treat high blood pressure, helping to reduce the long-term risk of problems such as stroke and heart attack. ACE inhibitors are a common, well-established choice and are taken by mouth, usually once a day. Like others in its group, benazepril needs some blood-test monitoring of kidney function and potassium, and it must be avoided in pregnancy. It is taken regularly over the long term to keep blood pressure controlled.
How it works
Benazepril blocks an enzyme (ACE) that the body uses to make a substance called angiotensin II, which normally narrows blood vessels. With less angiotensin II, the blood vessels relax and widen, so blood pressure falls and the heart does not have to work as hard. This same action affects the kidneys and the body's handling of salt, water and potassium, which is why kidney function and potassium are checked with blood tests. The cough that some people get is thought to be linked to the way ACE inhibitors affect natural substances in the airways.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Generic (long-established).
An ACE inhibitor used to lower high blood pressure, taken by mouth once a day.
What it treats
Conditions Benazepril is used for
Practical use
How to take Benazepril
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it by mouth once a day, at about the same time, with or without food.
- Have the blood tests you are asked to, as it can affect kidney function and potassium.
- Avoid potassium supplements and salt substitutes containing potassium unless advised, as it can raise potassium.
- Tell your prescriber straight away if you are or might become pregnant, as it must be stopped.
- Seek emergency help for swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or sudden difficulty breathing.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Benazepril
Advantages
- An effective, well-established way to lower high blood pressure and reduce long-term risks.
- Taken conveniently by mouth, usually once a day.
- Has protective effects on the heart and kidneys in many people.
Disadvantages
- Commonly causes a persistent dry cough in some people.
- Can raise potassium and affect the kidneys, so it needs blood-test monitoring.
- Must be avoided in pregnancy and can, rarely, cause serious swelling (angioedema).
Practical use
Good to know
The best-known side effect of ACE inhibitors like benazepril is a persistent dry, tickly cough, which is harmless but can be annoying; if it is troublesome, your prescriber may switch you to a related medicine that does not usually cause it. Because it can raise potassium and affect the kidneys, blood tests are done when starting and from time to time afterwards, and you should be cautious with potassium supplements and salt substitutes that contain potassium. A crucial point is that it must not be taken in pregnancy, as it can harm the developing baby, so tell your prescriber if you are or might become pregnant. Rarely, it can cause angioedema, a serious swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, which needs emergency help.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who are pregnant or planning pregnancy, as it can harm the developing baby.
- People who have had angioedema (serious swelling) with an ACE inhibitor before.
- People with certain kidney artery problems or very high potassium, used with caution or avoided.
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to benazepril should not take it.
Monitoring
- Checking kidney function and potassium with blood tests when starting and periodically.
- Checking blood pressure to see how well it is working.
- Watching for cough, dizziness or any signs of swelling (angioedema).
Side effects
- A persistent dry, tickly cough.
- Dizziness or light-headedness, especially when first starting or standing up.
- Raised potassium levels or changes in kidney blood tests.
- Rarely but seriously, angioedema, a swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat that needs emergency help.
Key interactions
- Potassium supplements, salt substitutes and certain water tablets can add to its effect on potassium.
- Anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) can reduce its effect and strain the kidneys.
- Other blood-pressure medicines and diuretics can add to its blood-pressure-lowering effect.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Benazepril: frequently asked questions
What is benazepril used for?
It is an ACE inhibitor used mainly to lower high blood pressure, helping to reduce the long-term risk of problems such as stroke and heart attack.
Why does it make me cough?
A persistent dry, tickly cough is a known effect of ACE inhibitors; it is harmless, but if troublesome your prescriber may switch you to a related medicine that usually does not cause it.
Why do I need blood tests?
Benazepril can raise potassium and affect the kidneys, so blood tests are done when starting and from time to time to check these are fine.
Can I take it in pregnancy?
No. It must be avoided in pregnancy because it can harm the developing baby, so tell your prescriber if you are or might become pregnant.
What is angioedema?
It is a rare but serious swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat; if it happens, or you struggle to breathe, seek emergency help straight away.
The wider class
About ACE inhibitor
Benazepril belongs to the ace inhibitor class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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