Benazepril
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor prodrug used primarily for hypertension. It is also available in combination with amlodipine (Lotrel) and hydrochlorothiazide (Lotensin HCT) for enhanced blood pressure control.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor prodrug used primarily for hypertension. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is 5–40 mg daily in 1–2 divided doses (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. With long-term use it can deplete zinc. This profile indexes 10 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: effective blood pressure reduction, favorable for combination therapy, renoprotective effects. 10 sources indexed (1996–2026), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Prodrug hydrolyzed in the liver to the active metabolite benazeprilat. Inhibits ACE, preventing formation of angiotensin II from angiotensin I. Reduces peripheral vascular resistance without reflex tachycardia. Decreases aldosterone secretion and inhibits bradykinin degradation, contributing to vasodilatory effects.
Dosing & protocol.
Can be taken with or without food; food slows absorption but does not significantly affect total bioavailability
What it depletes.
Nutrients this medication can lower over time, and what to replace.
Zinc
MildACE inhibition has been associated with increased urinary zinc excretion and altered taste in some long-term users.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Dry cough
- Hyperkalemia
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Angioedema (rare)
- Fatigue
Contraindications
- History of angioedema with ACE inhibitors
- Pregnancy
- Bilateral renal artery stenosis
- Concurrent aliskiren in diabetic patients2
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
1- 1[Effect of benazepril on cardiac function in Chinese patients with chronic heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials]PMIDYan X, Xu D, Huang J et al. · Zhonghua yi xue za zhi · 2014
Yan X, Xu D, Huang J et al.. [Effect of benazepril on cardiac function in Chinese patients with chronic heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials]. Zhonghua yi xue za zhi. 2014
Randomized controlled trials
3- 2Preventing microalbuminuria with benazepril, valsartan, and benazepril-valsartan combination therapy in diabetic patients with high-normal albuminuria: A prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) studyPMIDRuggenenti P, Cortinovis M, Parvanova A et al. · PLoS medicine · 2021
Ruggenenti P, Cortinovis M, Parvanova A et al.. Preventing microalbuminuria with benazepril, valsartan, and benazepril-valsartan combination therapy in diabetic patients with high-normal albuminuria: A prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) study. PLoS medicine. 2021
- 3Effects of valsartan, benazepril and their combination in overt nephropathy of type 2 diabetes: A prospective, randomized, controlled trialPMIDRuggenenti P, Trillini M, P Barlovic D et al. · Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · 2019
Ruggenenti P, Trillini M, P Barlovic D et al.. Effects of valsartan, benazepril and their combination in overt nephropathy of type 2 diabetes: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Diabetes, obesity & metabolism. 2019
- 4Treatment of patients with essential hypertension: amlodipine 5 mg/benazepril 20 mg compared with amlodipine 5 mg, benazepril 20 mg, and placeboPMIDKuschnir E, Acuña E, Sevilla D et al. · Clinical therapeutics · 1996
Kuschnir E, Acuña E, Sevilla D et al.. Treatment of patients with essential hypertension: amlodipine 5 mg/benazepril 20 mg compared with amlodipine 5 mg, benazepril 20 mg, and placebo. Clinical therapeutics. 1996
Reviews & position papers
1- 5Effect of High-Fat Food on the Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Amlodipine/Benazepril in Healthy Chinese ParticipantsPMIDDing C, Song H, Qiu B et al. · Clinical pharmacology in drug development · 2026
Ding C, Song H, Qiu B et al.. Effect of High-Fat Food on the Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Amlodipine/Benazepril in Healthy Chinese Participants. Clinical pharmacology in drug development. 2026
Reference material
5- 6Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation Study Investigators. Effects of an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor, ramipril, on cardiovascular events in high-risk patients (HOPE). N Engl J Med. 2000.Source linkedPMID
- 7SOLVD Investigators. Effect of enalapril on survival in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fractions and congestive heart failure. N Engl J Med. 1991.Source linkedPMID
- 8Garcia Sanchez JJ et al. Treatments for Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Literature Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Adv Ther. 2022.Source linkedPMID
- 9Dahal SS, Gupta M. Benazepril. 2026Source linkedPMID
- 10Coffman M, Guillot E, Blondel T et al.. Clinical efficacy of a benazepril and spironolactone combination in dogs with congestive heart failure due to myxomatous mitral valve disease: The BEnazepril Spironolactone STudy (BESST). Journal of veterinary internal medicine. 2021Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Benazepril, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Benazepril?
Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor prodrug used primarily for hypertension. It is also available in combination with amlodipine (Lotrel) and hydrochlorothiazide (Lotensin HCT) for enhanced blood pressure control.
What is Benazepril used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Benazepril include: Effective blood pressure reduction; Favorable for combination therapy; Renoprotective effects; Well-tolerated in most patients. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Benazepril?
A typical adult dose of Benazepril is 5–40 mg daily in 1–2 divided doses (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Oral tablet. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Benazepril?
Reported side effects include dry cough, hyperkalemia, dizziness, headache, angioedema (rare), fatigue. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Benazepril?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Benazepril in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.