From the Guidelines
Benazepril is primarily used to treat high blood pressure and certain types of heart failure, and its use is recommended to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) 1. The medication works by blocking the enzyme that produces angiotensin II, a substance that narrows blood vessels and increases blood pressure. By reducing angiotensin II levels, benazepril helps blood vessels relax and widen, lowering blood pressure and decreasing the workload on the heart. This medication is also prescribed to improve survival after heart attacks and to protect kidney function in people with diabetes or kidney disease. Benazepril is typically taken once or twice daily, with or without food, at doses ranging from 5 to 40 mg per day depending on the condition being treated and individual patient response. Some key points to consider when using benazepril include:
- Common side effects may include dizziness, headache, and dry cough
- Patients should be aware that ACE inhibitors like benazepril can cause serious side effects in some people, including angioedema (swelling of face, lips, tongue) and should not be used during pregnancy as they can harm the developing fetus
- The use of ACE inhibitors is beneficial for patients with prior or current symptoms of chronic HFrEF to reduce morbidity and mortality 1
- ACE inhibitors have been shown in large RCTs to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with HFrEF with mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of HF, with or without coronary artery disease 1
- Data suggest that there are no differences among available ACE inhibitors in their effects on symptoms or survival 1
- ACE inhibitors should be started at low doses and titrated upward to doses shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in clinical trials 1
- ACE inhibitors can produce angioedema and should be given with caution to patients with low systemic blood pressures, renal insufficiency, or elevated serum potassium (>5.0 mEq/L) 1
From the FDA Drug Label
Benazepril hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. The primary purpose of Benazepril is to treat hypertension by lowering blood pressure, which reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions 2. Key benefits of Benazepril include:
- Lowering blood pressure
- Reducing the risk of cardiovascular events
- Suitable for use alone or in combination with other medications, such as thiazide diuretics 2.
From the Research
Benazepril Purpose
The purpose of benazepril is to effectively manage hypertension and congestive heart failure.
- Benazepril is a nonsulfhydryl ACE inhibitor prodrug, which is converted in vivo to its active form, benazeprilat 3.
- It is used to decrease blood pressure in patients with mild to moderately severe hypertension, with a usual daily dose of 10 to 20 mg 3.
- Benazepril has been shown to have beneficial effects on various indices of cardiac function and to improve clinical symptoms and exercise capacity in patients with congestive heart failure 3, 4.
- The drug is well tolerated, with an incidence of adverse effects similar to that observed in placebo recipients 3, 4.
Therapeutic Efficacy
The therapeutic efficacy of benazepril is comparable to other ACE inhibitors, such as captopril and enalapril 3.
- Combinations of benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide or nifedipine have been shown to achieve a greater lowering of blood pressure than benazepril alone 3.
- Benazepril has been found to be effective in improving exercise tolerance and reducing symptoms of congestive heart failure 4.
Comparison with Other Treatments
Benazepril is often used in conjunction with other treatments, such as beta-blockers and aldosterone antagonists, to manage heart failure 5, 6.