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Lotensin (benazepril), a prescription medicine for high blood pressure (hypertension), can interact with certain other medications and foods. Lotensin is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and can interact with other drugs from the same class, as well as angiotensin receptor II blockers (ARBs), another type of blood pressure medication. Combining Lotensin with one of these drugs can raise the risk for side effects like fainting, low blood pressure (hypotension), diarrhea, kidney failure and death. Taking Lotensin with certain other blood pressure medications can also lower blood pressure too much.
Lotensin can also interact with several other medications, including lithium, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen and celecoxib), injectable gold (sodium aurothiomalate) and antidiabetic medications. Taking Lotensin with lithium, for instance, can raise blood levels of lithium too much. An NSAID can reduce Lotensin's ability to lower blood pressure. If you take Lotensin with antidiabetic drugs, including insulin, you may increase your risk for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
While taking Lotensin, avoid salt substitutes that contain potassium as well as potassium supplements. Lotensin can raise blood levels of potassium, increasing your risk for high potassium levels (hyperkalemia).
This is just a partial list of medications that may interact with Lotensin. To avoid dangerous interactions or uncomfortable symptoms, tell your doctor about all your other drugs (prescription and over-the-counter), as well as any supplements you take. Once you're on Lotensin, check with him or her before starting a new drug or supplement.
If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, you may need to monitor your intake of sodium and avoid foods with high amounts of salt. While taking Lotensin, you should not drink alcohol, which can enhance side effects like dizziness and drowsiness.
Lotensin can also interact with several other medications, including lithium, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen and celecoxib), injectable gold (sodium aurothiomalate) and antidiabetic medications. Taking Lotensin with lithium, for instance, can raise blood levels of lithium too much. An NSAID can reduce Lotensin's ability to lower blood pressure. If you take Lotensin with antidiabetic drugs, including insulin, you may increase your risk for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
While taking Lotensin, avoid salt substitutes that contain potassium as well as potassium supplements. Lotensin can raise blood levels of potassium, increasing your risk for high potassium levels (hyperkalemia).
This is just a partial list of medications that may interact with Lotensin. To avoid dangerous interactions or uncomfortable symptoms, tell your doctor about all your other drugs (prescription and over-the-counter), as well as any supplements you take. Once you're on Lotensin, check with him or her before starting a new drug or supplement.
If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, you may need to monitor your intake of sodium and avoid foods with high amounts of salt. While taking Lotensin, you should not drink alcohol, which can enhance side effects like dizziness and drowsiness.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.