Lotensin HCT

Hydrochlorothiazide is a water pill that belongs to a group of medicines called thiazide diuretics, and benazepril is an ACE inhibitor, which stands for angiotensin converting enzyme.

Lotensin HCT is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure.

Lotensin HCT may also be used for other reasons that are not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking Lotensin HCT. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your kidney function may also need to be checked. Your blood and urine may also be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Lotensin HCT.

Keep using Lotensin HCT as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the tablets in their original container, along with the packet or canister of moisture-absorbing preservative.

Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking Lotensin HCT and tell your doctor right away.

You should not use this medicine if you are unable to urinate, if you have ever had angioedema, or if you are allergic to sulfa drugs or any ACE inhibitor. Do not take Lotensin HCT within 36 hours before or after taking medicine that contains sacubitril (such as Entresto).

If you have diabetes, do not use Lotensin HCT together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or benazepril, or if:

• you are unable to urinate;
• you have ever had angioedema;
• you recently took a heart medicine called sacubitril;
• you are allergic to sulfa drugs; or
• you are allergic to any ACE inhibitor (captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, trandolapril).

Do not take Lotensin HCT within 36 hours before or after taking medicine that contains sacubitril (such as Entresto).

If you have diabetes, do not use Lotensin HCT together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

You may also need to avoid taking Lotensin HCT with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• asthma or allergies;
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• cirrhosis or other liver disease;
• glaucoma;
• congestive heart failure;
• gout;
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);
• lupus;
• if you are allergic to penicillin; or
• if you are on a low salt diet.

Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away. Benazepril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

You should not breastfeed while you are using this medicine.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, severe stomach pain, trouble breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

You may be more likely to have an allergic reaction if you are African-American.

Lotensin HCT may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might faint;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
• fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, mouth sores;
• signs of an electrolyte imbalance--leg cramps, constipation, muscle pain or weakness, irregular heartbeats, feeling jittery, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, loss of movement;
• kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath; or
• new or worsening symptoms of lupus--joint pain, and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that gets worse in sunlight.

Common side effects of Lotensin HCT may include:

• dizziness;
• cough;
• headache; or
• feeling tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you remember, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include increased thirst, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Drinking alcohol may increase certain side effects of Lotensin HCT.

Hydrochlorothiazide may increase your risk of skin cancer. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors. Your doctor may want you to have skin examinations on a regular basis.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking. Many drugs can affect Lotensin HCT, especially:

• other blood pressure medications, including another diuretic or "water pill";
• digoxin;
• lithium;
• cancer medicine;
• gold injections to treat arthritis;
• insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
• a muscle relaxer;
• medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection--cyclosporine, everolimus, sirolimus, tacrolimus; or
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete, and many other drugs may also affect Lotensin HCT. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are included here.