Amlodipine benazepril side effects
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Side Effects of Amlodipine Benazepril Combination Therapy
Introduction to Amlodipine Benazepril Combination Therapy
Amlodipine and benazepril are commonly used together to treat hypertension. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker, while benazepril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. This combination is effective in lowering blood pressure and reducing cardiovascular events, but it is also associated with certain side effects.
Common Side Effects
Edema
One of the most frequently reported side effects of amlodipine, especially at higher doses, is edema. Studies have shown that the incidence of edema is significantly higher in patients treated with high-dose amlodipine monotherapy compared to those receiving combination therapy with benazepril. Specifically, 24% of patients on high-dose amlodipine monotherapy experienced edema, whereas the incidence was similar to low-dose calcium antagonists when combined with benazepril1 2.
Peripheral Edema
Peripheral edema is another common side effect observed in patients treated with the amlodipine-benazepril combination. In a study comparing benazepril plus amlodipine to benazepril plus hydrochlorothiazide, peripheral edema was more frequent in the benazepril-amlodipine group (33.7%) compared to the benazepril-hydrochlorothiazide group (16.0%)6.
Less Common Side Effects
Cough and Rash
Some patients may develop a cough or rash when switched from high-dose calcium channel blockers to the amlodipine-benazepril combination. In a study involving 75 patients, 4 patients developed new dose-limiting side effects, including cough in three patients and rash in one patient, after switching to the combination therapy7.
Angioedema
Angioedema, although rare, has been reported more frequently in patients with chronic kidney disease treated with the benazepril-amlodipine combination compared to those treated with benazepril plus hydrochlorothiazide6.
Safety and Tolerability
General Tolerability
Overall, the combination of amlodipine and benazepril is well-tolerated. In a study involving hypertensive patients nonresponsive to benazepril monotherapy, the combination therapy was found to be effective, safe, and well-tolerated, with infrequent adverse events comparable to benazepril alone5.
Comparison with Monotherapy
The combination therapy of amlodipine and benazepril has been shown to have fewer dose-dependent adverse experiences compared to high-dose calcium antagonist monotherapy. This includes a lower incidence of vasodilatory edema, making it a preferable option for many patients1 2.
Conclusion
The combination of amlodipine and benazepril is effective in managing hypertension and reducing cardiovascular events. However, it is associated with side effects such as edema, peripheral edema, cough, rash, and, in rare cases, angioedema. Despite these side effects, the combination therapy is generally well-tolerated and offers a safer alternative to high-dose monotherapy with fewer dose-dependent adverse experiences.
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