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Benazepril

Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor (a blood pressure-lowering medicine) used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children 6 years and older.

Brand name Lotensin
Drug classes Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor
Rx Form 1
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 65 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 5, 2026
Benazepril at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Benazepril (Lotensin) is an ACE inhibitor that relaxes blood vessels to treat high blood pressure in adults and children 6 and older, a common first choice on the market since about 1991 and available as a generic. Most people tolerate it well, and the usual complaints are dizziness early on and a dry, nagging cough. Its boxed warning covers pregnancy, since it can seriously harm or kill an unborn baby, so stop it as soon as pregnancy is detected and call your prescriber. By lowering blood pressure it cuts the risk of stroke and heart attack, and periodic blood tests check your kidneys and potassium.

Clinical pearls

  • Avoid potassium supplements and potassium-based salt substitutes unless your prescriber approves, since benazepril already nudges potassium upward.
  • Regular ibuprofen or naproxen can weaken benazepril and strain the kidneys, so acetaminophen is usually the better pain reliever.
  • Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat means emergency care, even after months on it; Black patients face higher risk.
  • A lingering dry cough comes from the drug, not a cold; switching to a related medicine such as losartan usually ends it.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
⚠️ FDA Boxed Warning — the FDA’s strongest safety alert ▾

Do not take benazepril if you are pregnant. This medicine can cause serious harm — or death — to an unborn baby, especially when taken during months 4 through 9 of pregnancy. If you find out you are pregnant while taking benazepril, stop the medicine right away and call your doctor immediately. Drugs in this class directly affect the baby's kidneys and can cause birth defects, very low amniotic fluid, low blood pressure in the newborn, kidney failure, and death.

Read the full warning on DailyMed →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asTablet
Earliest FDA record1991
Companies listing it with the FDA20
FDA label last updatedSep 20, 2021
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)Yes, read the warning

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Benazepril, written from its FDA label.

What Benazepril is used for

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Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor approved to lower high blood pressure. Here is what the evidence supports:

  • Treats high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults — approved across Benazepril, Benazepril Hydrochloride, and Lotensin tablets
  • Treats high blood pressure in children 6 years and older with a GFR above 30 mL/min/1.73 m² — supported by Benazepril Hydrochloride and Lotensin tablets
  • Can be used alone or with a thiazide diuretic when blood pressure needs more aggressive control
  • Lowering blood pressure with this medicine reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack

How Benazepril works

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Benazepril works by blocking ACE — an enzyme that converts a hormone called angiotensin I into angiotensin II, a potent vessel-constrictor. With less angiotensin II, blood vessels relax and widen, blood pressure drops, and the heart doesn't have to work as hard. Blocking ACE also reduces the release of aldosterone (a hormone that causes the kidneys to retain sodium and water), which is part of why benazepril can slightly raise potassium levels.

Benazepril itself is converted in the liver into its active form, benazeprilat, which does most of the heavy lifting. Even patients with naturally low renin levels — a marker of how active this hormone system is — still see a meaningful blood pressure benefit.

Benazepril dosage

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Benazepril tablets are taken by mouth, typically once a day. Food does not meaningfully affect absorption, so you can take it with or without a meal. Your prescriber may split the daily dose into two doses if once-daily dosing doesn't control blood pressure well enough throughout the day. Do not adjust your dose on your own — your doctor will guide any changes based on how your blood pressure responds.

  • If you are also taking a diuretic (water pill), your starting dose will likely be lower to avoid blood pressure dropping too fast
  • Patients with significantly reduced kidney function need a lower starting dose
  • Children 6 and older are dosed based on body weight — follow the prescriber's instructions carefully

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Benazepril prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Hypertension, adults not receiving a diuretic
    • Initial dose 10 mg once a day
    • Usual maintenance dosage range 20 to 40 mg per day as a single dose or in two equally divided doses
    • A dose of 80 mg gives an increased response, but experience with this dose is limited
    • Maximum: Total daily doses above 80 mg have not been evaluated
    • Divided regimen was more effective in controlling trough blood pressure than the same dose once daily
  • Hypertension, adults on a diuretic
    • Recommended starting dose 5 mg once daily
    • If blood pressure is not controlled, a low dose of diuretic may be added
    • Diuretic should if possible be discontinued two to three days before starting benazepril; if it cannot be discontinued, use 5 mg initial dose
  • Hypertension, pediatric patients 6 years of age and older
    • Recommended starting dose 0.2 mg/kg once per day
    • Titrate as needed to 0.6 mg/kg once per day
    • Maximum: Doses above 0.6 mg/kg (or in excess of 40 mg daily) have not been studied in pediatric patients
    • Not recommended in pediatric patients less than 6 years of age or with GFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2; suspension can be prepared for those who cannot swallow tablets
  • Adults with renal impairment (GFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, serum creatinine > 3 mg/dL)
    • Recommended initial dose 5 mg once daily
    • May be titrated upward until blood pressure is controlled
    • Maximum: Maximum total daily dose of 40 mg
    • Benazepril can also worsen renal function
Read the label’s full dosing text

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Hypertension Adults The recommended initial dose for patients not receiving a diuretic is 10 mg once a day. The usual maintenance dosage range is 20-40 mg per day administered as a single dose or in two equally divided doses. A dose of 80 mg gives an increased response, but experience with this dose is limited. The divided regimen was more effective in controlling trough (pre-dosing) blood pressure than the same dose given as a once-daily regimen. Dosage adjustment should be based on measurement of peak (2-6 hours after dosing) and trough responses. If a once-daily regimen does not give adequate trough response, an increase in dosage or divided administration should be considered. If blood pressure is not controlled with benazepril hydrochloride tablets alone, a diuretic can be added. Total daily doses above 80 mg have not been evaluated. Concomitant administration of benazepril hydrochloride tablets with potassium supplements, potassium salt substitutes, or potassium-sparing diuretics can lead to increases of serum potassium (see PRECAUTIONS ). In patients who are currently being treated with a diuretic, symptomatic hypotension occasionally can occur following the initial dose of benazepril hydrochloride tablets. To reduce the likelihood of hypotension, the diuretic should, if possible, be discontinued two to three days prior to beginning therapy with benazepril hydrochloride tablets (see WARNINGS ). Then, if blood pressure is not controlled with benazepril hydrochloride tablets alone, diuretic therapy should be resumed. If the diuretic cannot be discontinued, an initial dose of 5 mg benazepril should be used to avoid excessive hypotension. Pediatrics In children, doses of benazepril hydrochloride between 0.1 and 0.6 mg/kg once daily have been studied, and doses greater than 0.1 mg/kg were shown to reduce blood pressure (see Pharmacodynamics ). Based on this, the recommended starting dose of benazepril hydrochloride is 0.2 mg/kg once per day as monotherapy. Doses above 0.6 mg/kg (or in excess of 40 mg daily) have not been studied in pediatric patients.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Benazepril side effects

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Most people tolerate benazepril well. The most commonly reported side effects include:

Common side effects

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness (somnolence)
  • Dizziness when standing up (postural dizziness)
  • Dry cough
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue

When to get medical help

  • Get emergency help right away if you notice swelling of your face, lips, tongue, throat, or have trouble breathing — this could be angioedema (severe swelling) and can be life-threatening
  • Call your doctor if you develop yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice), which may signal a rare but serious liver problem
  • Contact your doctor if you feel faint, lightheaded, or notice a dramatic drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment
  • Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant — stop taking this medicine as soon as pregnancy is detected
  • Call your doctor if you notice decreased urination or signs of kidney problems, such as swelling in your legs or unusual fatigue
  • Seek care if you develop severe stomach pain with or without nausea — this can rarely be a sign of intestinal swelling (intestinal angioedema)

Serious reactions — including severe swelling of the face or throat (angioedema), signs of liver trouble (yellowing of skin or eyes), significant drop in blood pressure, or worsening kidney function — require immediate medical attention.

Benazepril warnings and precautions

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  • Pregnancy: Benazepril can cause serious injury or death to an unborn baby. Stop the medicine as soon as pregnancy is detected and call your doctor immediately.
  • Angioedema (severe swelling): Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat can occur and can be fatal. Black patients face a higher risk. Seek emergency care immediately if this happens.
  • Kidney function: This medicine can impair kidney function, especially in people with pre-existing kidney disease, heart failure, or those who are dehydrated. Kidney function should be monitored regularly.
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension): Can occur, especially in people on diuretics, those with heart failure, or those who are dehydrated. Risk is highest with the first dose.
  • High potassium (hyperkalemia): Benazepril can raise potassium levels. Risk is higher in people with kidney disease or diabetes, or those using potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics.
  • Liver failure: Rare but serious. If you develop jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), stop the medicine and seek medical care right away.

Benazepril interactions

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Benazepril can interact with several common medicines and supplements. Key ones to discuss with your doctor or pharmacist:

  • Diuretics (water pills): Can cause blood pressure to drop too low, especially with the first dose
  • Potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics, or potassium-containing salt substitutes: Raise potassium to potentially dangerous levels
  • NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, COX-2 inhibitors like celecoxib): Can weaken benazepril's blood pressure-lowering effect and increase the risk of kidney damage
  • Diabetes medicines (insulin or oral agents): Benazepril may increase the risk of low blood sugar
  • Lithium: Benazepril can increase lithium levels in the blood, raising the risk of lithium toxicity; monitoring is needed
  • Aliskiren: Should not be combined with benazepril in people with diabetes; should be avoided in kidney disease
  • Sacubitril (in Entresto): Never take within 36 hours of switching to or from this drug — greatly raises the risk of dangerous swelling (angioedema)
  • mTOR inhibitors (sirolimus, everolimus, temsirolimus): Increase the risk of angioedema when combined with ACE inhibitors
  • Injectable gold (sodium aurothiomalate): Rare flushing, nausea, and low blood pressure reactions have been reported

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Benazepril prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Diuretics: Patients on diuretics, especially if recently started, may occasionally experience an excessive reduction of blood pressure after starting benazepril; benazepril attenuates potassium loss caused by thiazide-type diuretics. Minimize hypotensive effects by discontinuing or decreasing the diuretic dose before starting benazepril.
  • Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone, amiloride, triamterene, and others): Can increase the risk of hyperkalemia. If concomitant use is indicated, monitor serum potassium frequently.
  • Antidiabetics (insulins, oral hypoglycemic agents): May increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
  • NSAIDs including selective COX-2 inhibitors: In elderly, volume-depleted or renally compromised patients, may result in deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure (usually reversible); antihypertensive effect may be attenuated. Monitor renal function periodically.
  • Dual blockade of the RAS (angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, aliskiren): Associated with increased risks of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and changes in renal function compared to monotherapy. In general, avoid combined use; closely monitor blood pressure, renal function and electrolytes. Do not coadminister aliskiren in patients with diabetes; avoid aliskiren in patients with renal impairment (GFR < 60 mL/min).
  • mTOR inhibitors (e.g., temsirolimus, sirolimus, everolimus): May be at increased risk for angioedema. Monitor for signs of angioedema.
  • Lithium: Lithium toxicity has been reported, usually reversible upon discontinuation of lithium or benazepril. Monitor serum lithium levels during concurrent use.
  • Neprilysin inhibitors: May be at increased risk for angioedema.
  • Gold (injectable sodium aurothiomalate): Nitritoid reactions (facial flushing, nausea, vomiting and hypotension) have been reported rarely with concomitant ACE inhibitor therapy.
Read the label’s full interactions text

7. DRUG INTERACTIONS • Diuretics: Excessive drop in blood pressure ( 7.1 ) • Antidiabetics: Increased risk of hypoglycemia ( 7.2 ) • NSAIDS: Increased risk of renal impairment and loss of antihypertensive efficacy ( 7.3 ) • Dual inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system: Increased risk of renal impairment, hypotension and hyperkalemia ( 7.4 ) • Lithium: Symptoms of lithium toxicity ( 7.6 ) • Neprilysin Inhibitor: Increased risk of angioedema ( 7.7 ) • Gold: Nitritoid reactions ( 7.8 ) 7.1. Diuretics Hypotension Patients on diuretics, especially those in whom diuretic therapy was recently instituted, may occasionally experience an excessive reduction of blood pressure after initiation of therapy with benazepril hydrochloride. The possibility of hypotensive effects with benazepril hydrochloride can be minimized by either discontinuing or decreasing the dose of diuretic prior to initiation of treatment with benazepril hydrochloride [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . Hyperkalemia Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone, amiloride, triamterene, and others) can increase the risk of hyperkalemia. Therefore, if concomitant use of such agents is indicated, monitor the patient’s serum potassium frequently. Benazepril hydrochloride attenuates potassium loss caused by thiazide-type diuretics. 7.2. Antidiabetics Concomitant administration of benazepril hydrochloride and antidiabetic medicines (insulins, oral hypoglycemic agents) may increase the risk of hypoglycemia. 7.3. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents including Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors (COX-2 Inhibitors) In patients who are elderly, volume-depleted (including those on diuretic therapy), or with compromised renal function, coadministration of NSAIDs, including selective COX-2 inhibitors, with ACE inhibitors, including benazepril, may result in deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure. These effects are usually reversible.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿166 supplements and herbs with documented Benazepril interactions, ranked by severity Check Benazepril against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Benazepril

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  • Do not take benazepril if you have ever had angioedema (severe swelling) related to an ACE inhibitor, or hereditary or idiopathic angioedema
  • Do not take benazepril if you are allergic to it or any other ACE inhibitor
  • Pregnancy: This medicine must be stopped as soon as pregnancy is discovered — it can cause fetal harm or death, especially in the second and third trimesters
  • Breastfeeding: Very small amounts pass into breast milk; discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor
  • Kidney disease: A dose adjustment is needed if your kidney function is significantly reduced; close monitoring is important
  • Liver disease: Rare serious liver reactions have been linked to ACE inhibitors; tell your doctor if you have liver problems
  • Older adults: More likely to have reduced kidney function; kidney monitoring and careful dose selection are recommended
  • Children under 6: Not recommended; also not recommended in children of any age with severely reduced kidney function (GFR below 30 mL/min/1.73 m²)
  • Black patients: May see a smaller blood pressure reduction with benazepril used alone, and have a higher risk of angioedema
  • Tell your doctor if you are on dialysis using high-flux membranes — serious allergic-type reactions have been reported

Benazepril overdose

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Taking too much benazepril is most likely to cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure (hypotension), which could lead to dizziness, fainting, reduced urination, or kidney problems. If an overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical help right away. Treatment focuses on maintaining blood pressure and hydration — usually with IV fluids.

What Benazepril does in the body

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A single dose of benazepril of 10 mg or more blocks ACE activity by at least 80–90% for at least 24 hours. Blood pressure starts to fall within 1 hour of taking a dose, with the biggest reduction seen 2–4 hours after dosing. The effect lasts a full 24 hours, making once-daily dosing practical for most people. When combined with a thiazide diuretic, the blood pressure-lowering effect is greater than either medicine alone.

How your body processes Benazepril

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After swallowing a benazepril tablet, the drug is absorbed quickly and converted in the liver into its active form, benazeprilat. This conversion happens within 1–2 hours (or 2–4 hours if taken with food). The active form has a working half-life of about 10–11 hours in adults, so steady levels in the blood are typically reached after 2–3 daily doses. Benazepril and benazeprilat are cleared mainly through the kidneys; people with significantly reduced kidney function clear the drug more slowly and may need a lower dose. Liver disease (such as cirrhosis) does not meaningfully change how the drug is processed. Children clear the drug faster than adults, especially younger children.

How to store Benazepril

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Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) . Protect from moisture. Dispense in a tight container as defined in the USP.

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

166

Supplements & herbs that interact with Benazepril

166 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Benazepril in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 6
  • Moderate · 136
  • Minor · 24
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major AMERICAN HELLEBORE Major AMERICAN MISTLETOE Major ASARABACCA Major SIBERIAN COCKLEBUR Major TYRAMINE Major ADRAFINIL Moderate AGMATINE Moderate +158 more
Every supplement checked against Benazepril — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 6 major · 136 moderate · 24 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Benazepril against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

1

Nutrient depletion considerations

Benazepril has been associated with lower levels of 1 nutrient in the clinical literature. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these may be worth discussing with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially with long-term use.

COENZYME Q10 Insufficient Evidence
See the full Benazepril nutrient depletion report

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — not medical advice. Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Benazepril: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Benazepril — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What exactly is benazepril used for?

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Benazepril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). By relaxing your blood vessels, it brings your numbers down — and that directly lowers your risk of serious events like stroke and heart attack. It can be used on its own or alongside a water pill (diuretic) if one medicine isn't enough.

I keep hearing about a cough with this type of medicine. Will I definitely get one?

▾
Not everyone does, but a dry, persistent cough is one of the most well-known side effects of ACE inhibitors like benazepril. It's not dangerous, but it can be annoying enough that some people need to switch to a different type of blood pressure medicine. If a cough develops and bothers you, let your doctor know — don't just stop the medicine on your own.

Is it safe to take if I'm pregnant or trying to get pregnant?

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No — benazepril is not safe during pregnancy. It carries a serious warning: it can harm or even kill an unborn baby, especially in the second and third trimesters. If you find out you're pregnant while taking it, stop the medicine right away and call your doctor immediately. If you're planning to get pregnant, talk to your doctor first so you can switch to a safer option.

What warning signs should make me call my doctor or get emergency help?

▾
Two things are most urgent. First, if you notice swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat — or have sudden trouble breathing — get emergency help immediately. This is called angioedema and it can be life-threatening. Second, if your skin or eyes look yellow, that can be a sign of a rare but serious liver problem — stop the medicine and call your doctor right away. Also reach out if you feel very dizzy or faint, especially after starting the medicine or increasing your dose.

Are there any common medicines or supplements I should avoid while taking benazepril?

▾
A few important ones: avoid regular use of ibuprofen or naproxen (NSAIDs) — they can weaken benazepril's effect and stress your kidneys. Don't use potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium without asking your doctor, since benazepril already tends to raise potassium levels. If you take lithium or diabetes medications, your doctor may need to monitor you more closely. Always run new medicines or supplements by your pharmacist before starting them.

Does it matter if I take benazepril with food, and what happens if I miss a dose?

▾
Food doesn't significantly affect how benazepril is absorbed, so you can take it with or without a meal — whatever is easiest for you to stick to. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it's almost time for your next dose, just skip the missed one and carry on with your regular schedule. Never double up to make up for a missed dose.

Is Benazepril available over the counter?

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No. Benazepril is a prescription medicine: every Benazepril product listed with the FDA is prescription only, so it is not sold over the counter. Your prescriber decides whether it is appropriate for you, and your pharmacist dispenses it.

When was Benazepril first available?

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The earliest FDA record we hold for Benazepril is from 1991: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Benazepril was first used.

Who makes Benazepril?

▾
20 companies currently list Benazepril products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc., Bryant Ranch Prepack, Northwind Health Company, LLC. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Benazepril on HelloPharmacist

📊Benazepril supplement interactions166 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerBenazepril vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Benazepril NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Benazepril Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Benazepril forms and strengths (how it comes)

Benazepril is available in 1 form. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Tablet

By mouth
Brands Lotensin
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Benazepril Hydrochloride tablets are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults
  • Lotensin tablets are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults
  • Benazepril Hydrochloride tablets are approved to treat high blood pressure in children 6 years of age and older with adequate kidney function
  • All formulations may be used alone or combined with a thiazide diuretic when blood pressure is not controlled with one medicine
Important instructions
  • Benazepril Hydrochloride and Lotensin tablets are taken by mouth once daily, with or without food
  • Lotensin: if you are already taking a diuretic, your starting dose will be lower to reduce the risk of blood pressure dropping too much
  • Benazepril Hydrochloride tablets are not recommended in children under 6 years old or in children with a GFR below 30 mL/min/1.73 m²
  • Benazepril Hydrochloride tablets: adults with significantly reduced kidney function (GFR below 30 mL/min/1.73 m²) will need a lower starting dose — follow your prescriber's guidance
Available strengths 4 strengths
5 mg 10 mg 20 mg 40 mg
216 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Benazepril on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Benazepril appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

20 companies list 88 Benazepril product records with the FDA, mostly as tablet; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1991. Brand names on the directory include Lotensin; the rest are generics.

1
Dose forms ⓘ
20
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
2
Brand names
88
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1991
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (13) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.10%
Bryant Ranch Prepack8%
Northwind Health Company, LLC8%
A-S Medication Solutions7%
Proficient Rx LP7%
Aurobindo Pharma Limited6%
Other makers55%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Benazepril is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Benazepril is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Benazepril is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

184,412
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$2.3M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Benazepril prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Benazepril ranks #404 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 75% of them.

Where Benazepril ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #404 of 1,601
#399 Phenytoin 189,728 Rx #400 Triamterene and Hydroc... 189,372 Rx #401 Pramipexole 188,853 Rx #402 Ciprofloxacin Ophthalm... 187,373 Rx #403 Esketamine Nasal Spray 184,743 Rx #404 Benazepril 184,412 Rx #405 Ertugliflozin 183,513 Rx #406 Timolol Ophthalmic 182,296 Rx #407 Timolol 182,296 Rx #408 Erenumab-aooe Injectio... 181,173 Rx #409 Phentermine 179,849 Rx

Utilization by Benazepril product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 40 mg oral tablet is the most-dispensed Benazepril product — about 37% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

benazepril hydrochloride 40 MG Oral Tablet Most dispensed

68,424 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 37% of Benazepril prescriptions shown $887,308 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $13 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 10 of 93 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 898719

benazepril hydrochloride 20 MG Oral Tablet

66,152 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 36% of Benazepril prescriptions shown $808,981 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $12 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 10 of 102 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 898690

benazepril hydrochloride 10 MG Oral Tablet

34,554 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 19% of Benazepril prescriptions shown $398,030 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $12 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 8 of 90 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 898687

benazepril hydrochloride 5 MG Oral Tablet

15,282 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 8% of Benazepril prescriptions shown $197,791 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $13 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 7 of 43 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 898723

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Benazepril, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 35 of 328 listed Benazepril NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Benazepril products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Benazepril — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 83 of 88 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. For the full list, search the NDC directory →

Benazepril recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list no Benazepril recalls since July 2021.

✅No Benazepril recalls on record since July 2021

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Benazepril RxCUI 18867 1 dose form · 4 strengths

Look up RxCUI 18867 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

💵 What Benazepril costs pharmacies (NADAC benchmark)

The national average invoice price pharmacies pay for the drug itself, from CMS's NADAC survey (data as of Sep 30, 2026). This is a supply-cost benchmark — not a retail price and not what you'd pay at the counter.

FormStrengthPharmacy acquisition benchmark
Tablet · Oral 20 mg $0.079 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet · Oral 10 mg $0.065 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet · Oral 40 mg $0.101 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet · Oral 5 mg $0.048 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet, Coated · Oral 40 mg $0.101 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet, Coated · Oral 5 mg $0.048 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet, Film Coated 20 mg $0.079 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet, Film Coated 40 mg $0.101 per tablet NDC details & price history
Why show this? Your out-of-pocket cost depends on insurance, pharmacy markup, and discounts — but the acquisition benchmark tells you whether the medication itself is inexpensive or costly, which strengths cost more per dose, and whether a cash-price quote is in a reasonable range. Each row links to the NDC-level record with its full price history.

Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), a survey of retail pharmacy invoice prices. Benchmarks shown are the range across package sizes of a representative product for each form and strength — other manufacturers' products may differ.

Benazepril brand names

Benazepril is sold under one brand name in the FDA directory — Lotensin. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Lotensin

Who makes Benazepril: manufacturers and labelers

20 companies list Benazepril products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc., Bryant Ranch Prepack, Northwind Health Company, LLC. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc. 9 Bryant Ranch Prepack 7 Northwind Health Company, LLC 7 A-S Medication Solutions 6 Proficient Rx LP 6 Aurobindo Pharma Limited 5 Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. 5 ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 4 Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC 4 Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC 4 AvPAK 4 Chartwell RX, LLC 4 Golden State Medical Supply, Inc. 4 Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. 4 Solco healthcare U.S., LLC 4 PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 3 Validus Pharmaceuticals LLC 3 Cardinal Health 107, LLC 2 Remedyrepack Inc. 2 Direct Rx 1

Benazepril drug class (RxNorm)

Benazepril belongs to the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor class.

Pharmacologic class Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor
Drug family (ATC) ACE inhibitors, plain, ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers
How it works Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Benazepril page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Sep 20, 2021
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Benazepril.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Benazepril after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
65
Finished products in the current FDA directory
88
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
20
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
24
Linked representative label ⓘ
Direct_Rx
Linked label effective
Sep 20, 2021
Composite sections available
24
Linked SPL Set ID
7f819b77-2600-0a5f-e053-2a91aa0a9d15
Linked SPL Document ID
cc7107fc-0dd8-f2fd-e053-2a95a90a5011
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Direct_Rx is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →