Benazepril (Fortekor®, Lotensin®)

Medication Info

• Class of Medication
  • is a weak vasodilator, which dilates blood vessels in the body
  • is also an ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor
    • turns off deleterious hormones that elevate in the presence of heart disease
• Effects
  • helps blood to move forward better through the heart, causing less to back up in the lungs or body cavities
  • has also been shown to improve survival and lessen hospitalizations with certain diseases
• Side Effects
  • rare, and it is very well tolerated by most animals
  • can cause kidney failure soon after starting the medication, so kidney function is usually checked one to two weeks after starting the medication, and often again at six months
  • other uncommon side effects
    • weakness
    • loss of appetite (seen within hours or days after starting this medication)
• Other Info