How Does Benazepril-Amlodipine Work?
Benazepril-
amlodipine is a combination of two medicines -- benazepril hydrochloride (sold under the brand
Lotensin® and in generic form as Benazepril Hydrochloride) and
amlodipine besylate (sold under the brand name
Norvasc®). Lotensin is part of a class of drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors for short. Lotensin helps to block the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which is normally a part of a reaction in the body that causes the blood vessels to narrow (constrict). By blocking this enzyme, Lotensin causes blood vessels to relax.
Norvasc is part of a class of drugs called
calcium channel blockers. Norvasc helps to slow down the rate at which
calcium moves into your blood vessel walls. This, in turn, helps to relax the vessels, causing a decrease in
blood pressure. It also makes it easier for the heart to pump blood.
Because of the effects of both Lotensin and Norvasc, benazepril-amlodipine can
lower blood pressure. Because of its combined effects, benazepril-amlodipine causes a greater drop in blood pressure than when either medicine is used alone.
Effects of Benazepril-Amlodipine
A
blood pressure reading consists of two numbers -- for example: 120/80. The top number is known as the
systolic blood pressure and the bottom number is the
diastolic blood pressure. During clinical studies in people taking benazepril-amlodipine, systolic blood pressure (the top number) decreased by up to 25 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) decreased by up to 13 mmHg. The higher the dose of benazepril-amlodipine, the greater the drop in blood pressure tended to be.
Previous
