Commonly prescribed for: Vasodilator in the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF), systemic hypertension, chronic renal failure, and protein losing nephropathies
Species: Dogs and Cats
Therapeutic Class: Angiotensin-converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor
The most-common side effects in all species are gastrointestinal. Vomiting can occur in dogs. Mild to moderateBenazepril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It is used as a vasodilator in the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF), systemic hypertension, chronic renal failure, and protein losing nephropathies. Studies in human medicine indicate that ACE inhibitor drugs improve exercise tolerance, improve quality of life and prolong life in heart failure patients.
Benazepril is a pro-drug that is metabolized by the liver into its active form, benazeprilat. In the active form, this drug blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor. When its concentrations are decreased, peripheral vascular resistance, blood pressure and aldosterone levels decrease, and plasma renin activity increases. Benazepril is rapidly absorbed after oral administration and is primarily eliminated by the kidneys. Although the liver metabolizes benazapril to the active form, liver dysfunction does not appear to significantly decrease the levels of benazeprilat.
ACE inhibitor drugs, such as benazepril and enalapril are considered mainstays for the treatment of CHF in dogs and cats. Benazepril is a particularly useful drug for the treatment of hypertension in dogs. While benazepril alone may be used to treat mild hypertension in cats, amlodipine or a combination of benazepril and amlodipine may be more effective in treating cats with severe hypertension. Benazepril may be combined with amlodipine, or beta-blockers in refractory cases of hypertension.
Benazepril is used to treat chronic renal-failure and proteinuria in both dogs and cats. The improvement in renal function is postulated to be due to the anti-hypertensive effect, the reduction in mesangial cell proliferation, and renal vasodilation, which causes a decrease in renal filtration pressure and decreased proteinuria. Benazepril has been shown to increase renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rates in cats. It has also been shown to improve appetite in cats with chronic kidney disease. Although the studies on chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats show positive trends, there have not been studies that indicate a significant increase in survival time.
Remember to tell your veterinarian about any medications, vitamins, supplements, or herbal therapies that you are giving to your pet.
If an overdose is recognized promptly, gut-emptying protocols should be attempted. Hypotension is the most clinically significant problem when managing an overdose of benazepril. Hospitalization with volume expansion, blood pressure monitoring, and supportive care may be necessary.
Wedgewood provides medication options that help ensure accurate dosing, especially for hard to medicate pets. Click below for a complete list of Wedgewood’s dosing forms and strengths.
DOSAGE FORM | BENEFITS | STRENGTHS |
---|---|---|
Quad Tab | Quarter-scored tablets for maximum flexibility in oral dosing. | 1 mg/tab to 2.5 mg/tab |
Twist-a-Dose | Transdermal applicator that gives easy & accurate dosing every time. | 0.5 mg/0.05ml to 10 mg/0.05ml |
EZ Dose Micro | Transdermal applicator designed for easy handling and accurate dosing. | 0.625 mg/0.05ml to 3.75 mg/0.05ml |
View all Benazepril options