Benazepril

What is this medication for?

• CHF, high blood pressure, proteinuric CKD/glomerular disease

How is it given?

Give exactly as your veterinarian prescribed — never change the dose or stop on your own unless your veterinarian has told you to.

What if I miss a dose?

• Give it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for the next dose (then skip the missed one; never double up).
• Call your clinic if you miss more than one dose in a row.

Side effects — what should I watch for?

Effects listed as common in this handout

• stomach/intestinal distress (Most likely)
• Azotemia (Possible, especially with high-dose diuretics)
• Hypotension, hyperkalemia (Possible)
• ↑ Food consumption/weight (mild overdose study) (Cat, benign finding)

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Any new symptom that worries you.

⚠️ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice

• Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, facial swelling, or pale gums

Before starting (or refilling), tell your veterinarian if your pet:

• has or has had: ACE inhibitor hypersensitivity; discontinue in pregnancy
• has or has had: Hyponatremia, coronary/cerebrovascular insufficiency, collagen vascular disease (SLE), preexisting hematologic abnormalities

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • Diuretics (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)
  • Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone)
  • Aspirin
  • Lithium

Storage and handling

Room temperature, protect from light.

Good to know

• Dual hepatic/renal elimination makes benazepril a reasonable choice over enalapril in patients with significant renal impairment, since its clearance is preserved even when kidney function declines.
• ACE inhibitor of choice cited by many renal specialists (with enalapril) as first-line adjunct for proteinuric glomerular disease in dogs, even without a clear survival benefit demonstrated.
• No survival benefit demonstrated in cats despite hemodynamic/protein in the urine improvements — set expectations accordingly.