PATIENT INFORMATION
Pregnancy: Female patients of childbearing
age should be told about the consequences of second- and
third-trimester exposure to ACE inhibitors, and they should
also be told that these consequences do not appear to
have resulted from intrauterine ACE inhibitor exposure
that has been limited to the first trimester. These patients
should be asked to report pregnancies to their physicians
as soon as possible.
Angioedema: Angioedema, including laryngeal
edema, can occur with treatment with ACE inhibitors, especially
following the first dose. Patients should be so advised
and told to report immediately any signs or symptoms suggesting
angioedema (swelling of face, eyes, lips, or tongue, or
difficulty in breathing) and to take no more drug until
they have consulted with the prescribing physician.
Symptomatic Hypotension: Patients should
be cautioned that light-headedness can occur, especially
during the first days of therapy, and it should be reported
to the prescribing physician. Patients should be told
that if syncope occurs, benazepril HCl should be discontinued
until the prescribing physician has been consulted.
All patients should be cautioned that inadequate fluid
intake or excessive perspiration, diarrhea, or vomiting
can lead to an excessive fall in blood pressure, with
the same consequences of light-headedness and possible
syncope.
Hyperkalemia: Patients should be told
not to use potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing
potassium without consulting the prescribing physician.
Neutropenia: Patients should be told
to promptly report any indication of infection (e.g.,
sore throat, fever), which could be a sign of neutropenia.
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