Lotrel
(Amlodipine / Benazepril)
Lowers blood pressure.
Our bottom line
Lotrel (Amlodipine / Benazepril) is good because it combines two first-line medications to lower blood pressure, and it's available in generic. However, it can cause throat irritation or a dry cough, and you can't stop it suddenly since it can cause your blood pressure to rise.
- Drug class: Cardiovascular
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (amlodipine / benazepril)
Upsides
- Both medications in Lotrel (Amlodipine / Benazepril) are recommended as first line medications to help lower blood pressure.
- The combination of these two medications work together to lower your blood pressure better than either by itself.
- This combines two medications into one pill, so it reduces the amount of pills you have to take every day.
- Available as a generic version, so it shouldn't be too expensive.
Downsides
- Can't be stopped suddenly because it can cause your blood pressure to bounce back very high.
- Because it comes in fixed doses, it's hard to switch dosages if one medication isn't working as well as the other.
- If you're pregnant or want to be pregnant, you'll have to be changed to another medication since Lotrel (Amlodipine / Benazepril) can cause birth defects.
- In some people, benazepril, the ACE inhibitor, can cause throat irritation or a dry cough, and you can switch to another medication if it bothers you.
- This is usually not given until you've tried at least one medication to lower your blood pressure and it hasn't worked.
Lotrel (Amlodipine / Benazepril) contains two medications that lower blood pressure. Amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker) causes your blood vessels to relax, and benazepril (an ACE inhibitor) blocks a chemical that tightens up your blood vessels. Your blood vessels being more relaxed causes your blood pressure to go down.
- Drug class: Cardiovascular
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (amlodipine / benazepril)
Dosage forms
- Pill
Prices and coupons
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Pay as low as$5.85Retail priceRetail priceLearn more- Get free coupon
$12.73 - CostcoGet free coupon$14.76
- Medicine ShoppeGet free coupon$14.76
Side effect rates for Lotrel (Amlodipine / Benazepril)
- Any side effect4%4%3%3%
- Cough3%3%
- Headache2%2%6%6%
- Edema2%2%2%2%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Lotrel.
People taking Lotrel felt side effect more
People taking Lotrel felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Lotrel (Amlodipine / Benazepril)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Women of childbearing age
Lotrel (Amlodipine / Benazepril) can cause birth defects. If you're pregnant or considering having a baby, talk to your doctor about alternative medicines.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Pharmacist Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this drug for?
This medication treats hypertension (high blood pressure).Common concerns from people taking Lotrel (Amlodipine / Benazepril)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?Research studies with real people found harmful effects on unborn babies, but the benefits might outweigh the risks even if you’re pregnant. Talk with your doctor.
Tip: Always talk with your doctor before you take any medication while pregnant.