Generic Benazepril-Amlodipine

Generic benazepril-amlodipine, which is available in three different strengths, is manufactured by Sandoz Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceuticals. The FDA has assigned generic benazepril-amlodipinel an "AB" rating, meaning that it should be equivalent to the brand-name medication.

 

Generic for Benazepril-Amlodipine: An Overview

Benazepril-amlodipine (Lotrel®) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is a combination of two medicines -- benazepril hydrochloride (sold under the brand name Lotensin® and in generic form as Benazepril Hydrochloride) and amlodipine besylate (sold under the brand name Norvasc®).
 
Brand-name Lotrel is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. However, the patent for Lotrel expired in 2007, and it is now available as a generic.
 

Strengths of Generic Benazepril-Amlodipine

Not every strength of Lotrel is currently available as a generic. Generic Lotrel is available in the following strengths:
 
  • Benazepril-amlodipine 2.5 mg/10 mg -- which has 2.5 mg of amlodipine and 10 mg of benazepril
     
  • Benazepril-amlodipine 5 mg/10 mg -- which has 5 mg of amlodipine and 10 mg of benazepril
     
  • Benazepril-amlodipine 5 mg/20 mg -- which has 5 mg of amlodipine and 20 mg of benazepril.
     

Who Makes Generic Benazepril-Amlodipine?

Generic benazepril-amlodipinel is made by the following makers of generic medications:
 
  • Sandoz Pharmaceuticals
  • Teva Pharmaceuticals.
     

Is Generic Benazepril-Amlodipine as Good as Lotrel?

All generic medications must undergo certain tests to compare them to brand-name medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) then looks at these tests to decide if the generics are equivalent to the brand-name medications and assigns each generic a rating. An "AB" rating means that the FDA has determined that a generic medication is equivalent to a brand-name medication. All of the generic benazepril-amlodipine versions currently available have an "AB" rating, meaning they should be equivalent to Lotrel.
 
However, generic medications are allowed to have different inactive ingredients than the brand-name medication. This might include fillers, dyes, or other ingredients that may cause problems for people with allergies or sensitivities.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;