Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. Amlodipine relaxes (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow.

Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme. Benazepril also widens blood vessels and also prevents the body from retaining water.

Amlodipine and benazepril is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Amlodipine and benazepril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

• you have had angioedema (hives or severe swelling of deep skin tissues sometimes caused by allergic reaction);
• you recently took a heart medicine called sacubitril; or
• you are allergic to any other ACE inhibitor, such as captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, moexipril, benazepril, quinapril, ramipril, Accupril, Prinivil, Mavik, Vasotec, and many others.

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

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

You may also need to avoid taking amlodipine and benazepril with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease or congestive heart failure;
• high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia);
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• liver disease; 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 breast-feed while you are using this medicine.

Use Amlodipine And Benazepril (Oral) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. You may be more likely to have an allergic reaction if you are African-American.

Some side effects may not occur until after you have used the medicine for several months.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain;
• new or worsened chest pain;
• fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms;
• high potassium--nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement; or
• liver problems--nausea, stomach pain (upper right side), itching, unusual tiredness, flu-like symptoms, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects may include:

• cough;
• dizziness; or
• swelling in your hands or feet.

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.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking amlodipine and benazepril, unless your doctor has told you to.