Lotrel

Lotrel is one of the many drugs that is used to treat high blood pressure and other related diseases. Lotrel generic is actually amlodipine and benazepril. From its generic alone, it is clear that Lotrel is a combination of two particular drugs. So, what is Lotrel, and how does it work exactly?

The two drugs that combine Lotrel, amlodipine and benazepril are a calcium channel blocker and an ACE inhibitor, respectively. This combination of drugs helps the blood vessels relax and loosen up. Once the blood vessels are able to dilate, then blood pressure is lowered.

Amlodipine, in particular, widens the blood vessels, which are composed of arteries and veins. This way, the blood vessels are able to relax, and it makes it a whole lot easier for the heart to pump blood. Benazepril, on the other hand, stunts the production of certain chemicals in the body. These chemicals are the ones that cause the blood vessels to narrow down. By preventing such narrowing down from happening, the workload of the heart and the blood vessels is significantly decreased. The combination of both drugs is very effective in treating and regulating hypertension.

But if you are thinking of taking Lotrel, do not take it without the recommendation and prescription of your physician. There is always the matter of allergies to any medication. Yes, this risk always exists. For starters, the Benazepril component of Lotrel can cause allergic reactions for some people. These allergic reactions include facial swelling, irregular heartbeat, and breathing problems. Before you take Lotrel, be sure to consult your physician, to determine whether or not you are safe from allergies to Benazepril.

The following medical conditions also make Lotrel quite risky to take: diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, collagen vascular disorder, heart failure, and aortic stenosis. If you are afflicted with such medical conditions, then taking Lotrel just might be harmful for you. But this does not necessarily mean that you cannot take Lotrel at all. It can mean that the regular dosage of Lotrel is too strong for your system to handle. Your physician just might prescribe a lower dosage for you. And you might also undergo constant monitoring during your treatment.

Women who are pregnant, or who are planning to have a baby should not take Lotrel as well. Lotrel belongs to the FDA pregnancy category D. This indicates that the combination of Amlodipine and Benazepril can cause serious birth defects on an unborn baby. This is especially true during the second and third trimesters. Ultimately, ACE inhibitors can even cause death of the unborn baby. Nursing mothers should not take Lotrel as well. The drug itself, being in the category D, can be secreted through the breast milk.

Pay attention to the side effects of Lotrel because there are quite a number of them. The most important thing you should remember though, is that Lotrel can cause drowsiness. This is why when you’re taking Lotrel, you should not be on the road driving. You should not be handling or operating any machinery of some sort. This can be hazardous, not only for you, but for other people in the vicinity as well.

Do not drink alcohol as well. An inevitable effect of alcohol is drowsiness. And taking Lotrel alone is enough to cause drowsiness. The combination can prove to be harmful for you and for other people in the vicinity.

Other Lotrel side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, fluid loss, and heavy sweating. These symptoms can lead to dehydration. This is why when you take Lotrel, be sure to drink lots of fluids, so as to thwart the possibility of dehydration.

If you have questions and other concerns not mentioned here about Lotrel, be sure to take them up with your physician. There’s no such thing as being too informed about the medication you’re taking. And this should be the case with Lotrel as well.