Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) and benazepril is an ACE inhibitor (ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme).

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

Hydrochlorothiazide 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 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 hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril within 36 hours before or after taking medicine that contains sacubitril (such as Entresto).

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

You may also need to avoid taking hydrochlorothiazide and benazepril 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.

Use Lotensin HCT (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, difficult 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.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• 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 worsens in sunlight.

Common side effects 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.

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 this medicine.

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.