benazepril hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. This fixed combination drug is not indicated for the initial therapy of hypertension (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ) .

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Dose once daily. The dosage may then be increased after 2 to 3 weeks as needed to help achieve blood pressure goals. The maximum recommended dose is 20/25 mg. Switch Therapy: A patient whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled with benazepril alone or with hydrochlorothiazide alone may be switched to combination therapy with Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide. The usual recommended starting dose is 10/12.5 mg once daily to control blood pressure. Replacement Therapy: The combination may be substituted for the titrated individual components.

WARNINGS Anaphylactoid and Possibly Related Reactions Presumably because angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors affect the metabolism of eicosanoids and polypeptides, including endogenous bradykinin, patients receiving ACE inhibitors (including benazepril) may be subject to a variety of adverse reactions, some of them serious. Head and Neck Angioedema: Angioedema of the face, extremities, lips, tongue, glottis, and larynx has been reported in patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. In U.S. clinical trials, symptoms consistent with angioedema were seen in none of the subjects who received placebo and in about 0.5% of the subjects who received benazepril. Angioedema associated with laryngeal edema can be fatal. If laryngeal stridor or angioedema of the face, tongue, or glottis occurs, treatment with Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted immediately. When involvement of the tongue, glottis, or larynx appears likely to cause airway obstruction, appropriate therapy, e.g., subcutaneous epinephrine injection 1:1000 (0.3 - 0.5 mL) should be promptly administered (see PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS ). Black patients receiving ACE inhibitors have been reported to have a higher incidence of angioedema compared to nonblacks. Patients receiving coadministration of ACE inhibitor and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitor (e.g., temsirolimus, sirolimus, everolimus) therapy or a neprilysin inhibitor may be at increased risk for angioedema (see PRECAUTIONS ) . Intestinal Angioedema: Intestinal angioedema has been reported in patients treated with ACE inhibitors. These patients presented with abdominal pain (with or without nausea or vomiting); in some cases there was no prior history of facial angioedema and C-1 esterase levels were normal. The angioedema was diagnosed by procedures including abdominal CT scan or ultrasound, or at surgery, and symptoms resolved after stopping the ACE inhibitor. Intestinal angioedema should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients on ACE inhibitors presenting with abdominal pain. Anaphylactoid Reactions During Desensitization: Two patients undergoing desensitizing treatment with hymenoptera venom while receiving ACE inhibitors sustained life-threatening anaphylactoid reactions. In the same patients, these reactions were avoided when ACE inhibitors were temporarily withheld, but they reappeared upon inadvertent rechallenge. Anaphylactoid Reactions During Membrane Exposure: Anaphylactoid reactions have been reported in patients dialyzed with high-flux membranes and treated concomitantly with an ACE inhibitor. Anaphylactoid reactions have also been reported in patients undergoing low density lipoprotein apheresis with dextran sulfate absorption. Hypersensitivity reactions to hydrochlorothiazide are more likely in patients with allergy and asthma. Hypotension Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide can cause symptomatic hypotension. Like other ACE inhibitors, benazepril has been only rarely associated with hypotension in uncomplicated hypertensive patients. Symptomatic hypotension is most likely to occur in patients who have been volume and/or salt depleted as a result of prolonged diuretic therapy, dietary salt restriction, dialysis, diarrhea, or vomiting. Volume and/or salt depletion should be corrected before initiating therapy with Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide. Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide should be used cautiously in patients receiving concomitant therapy with other antihypertensives. The thiazide component of Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide may potentiate the action of other antihypertensive drugs, especially ganglionic or peripheral adrenergic-blocking drugs. The antihypertensive effects of the thiazide component may also be enhanced in the postsympathectomy patient. In patients with congestive heart failure, with or without associated renal insufficiency, ACE inhibitor thera…

CONTRAINDICATIONS Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide is contraindicated in patients who are anuric. Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide is also contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to benazepril, to any other ACE inhibitor, to hydrochlorothiazide, or to other sulfonamide-derived drugs. Hypersensitivity reactions are more likely to occur in patients with a history of allergy or bronchial asthma. Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide is also contraindicated in patients with a history of angioedema with or without previous ACE inhibitor treatment. Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide is contraindicated in combination with a neprilysin (e.g., sacubitril). Do not administer Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide within 36 hours of switching to or from sacubitril/valsartan a neprilysin inhibitor (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS ) . Do not coadminister aliskiren with angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, including Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide in patients with diabetes.

Drug Interactions Neprilysin Inhibitors: Patients taking concomitant neprilysin may be at increased risk for angioedema. Interactions Common for Both Benazepril and Hydrochlorothiazide Potassium Supplements and Potassium Sparing Diuretics: Concomitant use with Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide may effect potassium levels. Monitor potassium periodically. mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitors: Patients receiving coadministration of ACE inhibitor and mTOR inhibitor (e.g., tesmsirolimus, sirolimus, everolimus) therapy may be at increased risk for angioedema (see WARNINGS ) . Lithium: Renal clearance of lithium is reduced by thiazides and increase the risk of lithium toxicity. Increased serum lithium levels and symptoms of lithium toxicity have been reported in patients receiving ACE inhibitors during therapy with lithium. Monitor lithium levels when used concomitantly with Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide. Dual Blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS): Dual Blockade of the RAS with angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, or aliskiren is associated with increased risks of hypertension, hyperkalemia, and changes in renal function (including acute renal failure) compared to monotherapy. Most patients receiving the combination of two RAS inhibitors do not obtain any additional benefit compared to monotherapy. In general, avoid combined use of RAS inhibitors. Closely monitor blood pressure, renal function and electrolytes in patients on Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide and other agents that affect the RAS. Do not coadminister aliskiren with Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide in patients with diabetes. Avoid use of aliskiren with Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide in patients with renal impairment (GFR < 60 mL/min). NSAIDs and Cox-2 selective agents: 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. Monitor renal function periodically in patients receiving benazepril and NSAID therapy. The antihypertensive effect of benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide may be attenuated by NSAIDs. Benazepril Benazepril has been used concomitantly with beta-adrenergic-blocking agents, calcium-blocking agents, cimetidine, diuretics, digoxin, hydralazine, and naproxen without evidence of clinically important adverse interactions. Other ACE inhibitors have had less than additive effects with beta adrenergic blockers, presumably because drugs of both classes lower blood pressure by inhibiting parts of the renin-angiotensin system. Interaction studies with warfarin and acenocoumarol have failed to identify any clinically important effects of benazepril on the serum concentrations or clinical effects of these anticoagulants. Gold: Nitritoid reactions (symptoms include facial flushing, nausea, vomiting and hypotension) have been reported rarely in patients on therapy with injectable gold (sodium aurothiomalate) and concomitant ACE inhibitor therapy. Hydrochlorothiazide Ion exchange resins: Stagger the dosage of hydrochlorothiazide and ion exchange resins such that hydrochlorothiazide is administered at least 4 hours before or 4 to 6 hours after the administration of resins. Single doses of either cholestyramine or colestipol resins bind the hydrochlorothiazide and reduce its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract by up to 85% and 43%, respectively. Digitalis glycosides: Thiazide-induced hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia may predispose the patients to digoxin toxicity Skeletal muscle relaxants: Possible increased responsiveness to muscle relaxants such as curare derivatives. Antidiabetic agents: Dosage adjustment of antidiabetic drug may be required. Antineoplastic agents (e.g., cyclophosphamide, methotrexate): Concom…

Nursing Mothers Minimal amounts of unchanged benazepril and benazeprilat are excreted into the breast milk of lactating women treated with benazepril, so that a newborn child ingesting nothing but breast milk would receive less than 0.1% of the maternal doses of benazepril and benazeprilat. Thiazides, on the other hand, are definitely excreted into breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from hydrochlorothiazide and the unknown effects of benazepril in infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

ADVERSE REACTIONS Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide has been evaluated for safety in over 2500 patients with hypertension; over 500 of these patients were treated for at least 6 months, and over 200 were treated for more than 1 year. The reported side effects were generally mild and transient, and there was no relationship between side effects and age, sex, race, or duration of therapy. Discontinuation of therapy due to side effects was required in approximately 7% of U.S. patients treated with Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide and in 4% of patients treated with placebo. The most common reasons for discontinuation of therapy with Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide in U.S. studies were cough (1.0%; see PRECAUTIONS ), “dizziness” (1.0%), headache (0.6%), and fatigue (0.6%). The side effects considered possibly or probably related to study drug that occurred in U.S. placebo-controlled trials in more than 1% of patients treated with Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide are shown in the table below. Reactions Possibly or Probably Drug Related Patients in U.S. Placebo-Controlled Studies Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide N = 665 Placebo N=235 N % N % “Dizziness” 41 6.3 8 3.4 Fatigue 34 5.2 6 2.6 Postural Dizziness 23 3.5 1 0.4 Headache 20 3.1 10 4.3 Cough 14 2.1 3 1.3 Hypertonia 10 1.5 3 1.3 Vertigo 10 1.5 2 0.9 Nausea 9 1.4 2 0.9 Impotence 8 1.2 0 0.0 Somnolence 8 1.2 1 0.4 Other side effects considered possibly or probably related to study drug that occurred in U.S. placebo-controlled trials in 0.3% to 1.0% of patients treated with Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide were the following: Cardiovascular: Palpitations, flushing. Gastrointestinal: Vomiting, diarrhea, dyspepsia, anorexia, and constipation. Neurologic and Psychiatric: Insomnia, nervousness, paresthesia, libido decrease, dry mouth, taste perversion, and tinnitus. Dermatologic: Rash and sweating. Other: Urinary frequency, arthralgia, myalgia, asthenia, and pain (including chest pain and abdominal pain). Other adverse experiences reported in 0.3% or more of Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide patients in U.S. controlled clinical trials, and rarer events seen in post-marketing experience, were the following; asterisked entries occurred in more than 1% of patients (in some, a causal relationship to Benazepril HCl and Hydrochlorothiazide is uncertain): Cardiovascular: Syncope, peripheral vascular disorder, and tachycardia. Body as a Whole: Infection, back pain*, flu syndrome*, fever, chills, and neck pain. Dermatologic: Photosensitivity and pruritus. Gastrointestinal: Gastroenteritis, flatulence, and tooth disorder. Neurologic and Psychiatric: Hypesthesia, abnormal vision, abnormal dreams, and retinal disorder. Respiratory: Upper respiratory infection*, epistaxis, bronchitis, rhinitis*, sinusitis*, and voice alteration. Other: Conjunctivitis, arthritis, urinary tract infection, alopecia, and urinary frequency*. Post-Marketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of either benazepril or hydrochlorothiazide. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure: Non-melanoma Skin Cancer: Hydrochlorothiazide is associated with an increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer. In a study conducted in the Sentinel System, increased risk was predominantly for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and in white patients taking large cumulative doses. The increased risk for SCC in the overall population was approximately 1 additional case per 16,000 patients per year, and for white patients taking a cumulative dose of ≥50,000mg the risk increase was approximately 1 additional SCC case for every 6,700 patients per year. Benazepril Stevens-Johnson syndrome, pancreatitis, hemolytic anemia, pemphigus, and thrombocytopenia, eosinophilic pneumonitis Hydrochlorothiazide Digestive: Pancreati…