LOTREL Reviews (AMLODIPINE BESYLATE; BENAZEPRIL HYDROCHLORIDE)

Average Rating: 2.5 (412 Ratings)

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 CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS ACE INHIBITORS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

LOTREL  (AMLODIPINE BESYLATE; BENAZEPRIL HYDROCHLORIDE):  This product is a combination of two drugs: a calcium channel blocker (amlodipine) and an ACE inhibitor (benazepril). It is used to treat high blood pressure. It works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems.   FDA Approval Date: 2006-04-11 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

Results are sorted by Date added.

Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR LOTRELCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 3  high bp have been fine for a year but now getting very swollen feet and ankles. Don't eat grapefruit with lotrel, found out the hard way! Had diahhrea and REALLY swollen feet. BP was 190/110 before lotrel and now is 119/78 consistently. F 55
5/30/2009
 1  Hypertension Ankle swelling,shortness of breath,ringing in ears,Vertigo, and the worst was always being Constipated. Decided to stop slowly every other day now I have not taken the 5/10 Lotrel for over 3 weeks and my blood pressure averages around 125/80 and I feel so much better already. I have a condition called Hyperaldosteronism a condition where too much aldosterone is produced by the adrenal glands, which can lead to lowered levels of potassium in the blood. My doctor put me on k-DUR Potassium,Spironolactone,Lotrel 5/10 and Lotrel worked great for keep BP low, but this stuff has been killing me and reading this forum has made me positive that anyone taking LOTREL...BEWARE! M 62 6 years
5/23/2009
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 3  htn Fatique. Muscle weakness, hard to focus, Going to request my pmd to take me off of it. F 51 1 years
5/22/2009
 1  hypertension Extreme fatigue. Inability to concentrate. Morning headache. Does not lower my BP enough. How does crap like this get past the FDA? M 62 30 days
5/18/2009
 1  High Blood Pressure Extreme fatigue, loss of concentration, disoriented, loss of sleep, muscle weakness to the point that I could hardly walk. This drug nearly destroyed my life. I took it for a year and it wasn't until recently that I decided to take another look at the side effects and there it was in front of me. All the symptoms I was having were intense and I no longer even wanted to live. If your doctor puts you on this drug he/she should monitor it closely. The doctor I had did not do that and it nearly cost me my life. Though I have been off the drug for three weeks, I feel much better but, I don't buy the story that it will be out of my system in a few days. It will take weeks, and probably months to really recover from it. At least now when I go exercise I can make it through. My BP is rising again so, I have a prescription for lisinipril which I took previously. At the time I was switched there was a lot of stress in my life and the doctor said she heard such good things about Lotrel. It did bring my BP down but the side effects were going to kill me. Monitor, Monitor, Monitor! F 62 1 years
5/3/2009
 4  Stage 1 Hypertension None. I've read all the other posts but have had none of the symptoms described. The first drug I tried resulted in back spasms so bad I could barely move. I quit taking it after the first day and they persisted for 3 weeks. After 1 year on lotrel (5-20) I still experience no side effects and my BP is a constant 25-35pts lower M 42 1 years
4/20/2009
 1  high blood pressure Took Lotrel for about 4 months. I am Type II insulin dependent. After first month, did not lower blood pressure adequately. Doctor doubled dose and doubled diuretic because of swelling. Major side affects were extreme swelling in legs and feet (could not put shoes on by end of day), weakness, insomnia, throwing up after taking. Stuck with it because ultimately did bring my BP down and I was having eye surgery and didn't want to change while in process of having those surgeries. Made appointment with doctor after eye surgeries to change medication because of side affects and have been told may have beginning stages of kidney failure. I think this drug should be taken off the market. Take it off market! F 59 4 months
4/16/2009
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 1  Slightly Elevated BP Extreme muscle pain in hips, arms, legs, knees, feet, hands and back. Cannot sit, stand, walk or lay down without extreme pain. Terrible continous cough with wheezing without relief and red and watering eyes. Suffering with dizziness and extreme fatigue. Have edema also. Having to go to the bathroom 6-8 times a night. I have to have my wife to help me move or to do anything. I cannot even stand up in the shower without her help. Not able to sleep at all. My PCP started me on Lotrel on 2/24/09 2.5/10mg 1 a day. After a few weeks of the "symptoms" my wife checked the website and found out that they were actually side effects. Called PCP and stopped taking on 4/3/09. The only side effect that has stopped is the coughing. Went to PCP on 4/6/09 and he said to give the medication a chance to get out of my system. Called Cardiologist and had appt with him on 4/9/09 since I have had Bypass surgery. He advised normally it only takes approximately 2 days for the medication to get out of your system. He had me go 4/10/09 for numerous blood tests and I go this week for furthur heart tests. He is not sure whether this is just the side effects that are continuing or if the side effects have triggered something else to happen with my body. I had 2 knee replacements in 07 and they are hurting also.I go back to my PCP tomorrow and hopefully he will have the results from the blood tests. Even through my heart bypass and both knee replacements I have NEVER suffered from such debilitating pain. The doctors would not give me pain medication to take until they find out what is going on with my system. They said to only take Tylenol. I am at the end of my rope. My wife is spending all of her time researching on the computer. This medication should be taken off of the market and NEVER prescribed to anyone ever again. I told my wife this morning to give me a piece of paper so I could write my last will and testament. Please pray for M 71 35 days
4/12/2009
 4  hypertension I had headaches Lotrel increases the side effects when taken with few drugs like aspirin and heparin. You can find the list of other drugs that interact with lotrel at International Drug Mart M 50 3 years
4/9/2009
 2  Blood Pressure Palpitations--somewhat severe with pounding heart beats. Stomach upset and inability to sleep at night. Fatigue. I am going to ask my doctor to put me on something else as I can not handle the heart effects. I thought I was going to have a heart attack today from the way my heart was jumping around. M 58 5 months
4/1/2009
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 5  HTN None This medication is a combination of a Ca++ channel blocker and an ACE inhibitor. I have had no tiredness or lethargy. This medicine is known for having less of those type side effects.I do not doubt you, I am just surprised. Wow, I feel tired now. M 55 13 years
3/11/2009
 1   Took one Lotril tablet daily for 3 years; slight cough, not much. Blood pressure started to increase and med. was increased to 2 daily about 3 months ago. Cough was terrible, started bronical asthma and had to use an inhaler. Took for 3 months; couldn't talk without coughing,wheezing was terrbile, extremely tired-didn't feel like I could get out of bed and extreme depression. So thankful that I found your website at 3:00 a.m. one night when I couldn't breath or sleep without coughing. Thought the depression was just due to age and loosing my parents. Asked my physician if it was possible the Lotril was the cause for my asthma and depression. He agreed and put me on Exforge. I've been taking that for 3-4 weeks now and the change is absolutely amazing. I feel like I did 10 years ago. The blood pressure is much, much better, I have more energy and just overall feel completely better! I thought it was just getting older. Be aware of this medication as we accept a lot of conditions as going along with getting older when that's not the case. I have my life back!!! F 61 3 years
3/10/2009
 1  Hypertension Same as others: Muscle pain, extreme tenderness in my feet, legs, hips, arms, hands, torso. I started taking lotrel five years ago, it effectively lowered my blood pressure, with no noticeable side effects for about three years. In the last two years I have deteriorated to the point of being unable to walk without extreme pain, unable to bend my legs, my arms are weak with pain from the shoulders to the hands. Hands are balled up in a fist in the morning, takes 1/2 hour to work them open. Both Doctors insisted it couldn't be the drug. I took myself off 2 weeks ago. My pain is almost totally gone. Joint movement is almost 100%. I could have written a glowing report two years ago about how it reduced my blood pressure to 115/75 with no side effects. Not sure why it changes so dramatically but I would watch for signs of muscle weakness. I'm not sure I'll ever be totally free of the damage. M 53 5 years
3/10/2009
 1  High BP Yes, Lotrel will lower your blood pressure, but it will also take you down with it. I felt terrible with many of the same side effects mentioned by others. Switched to a similar drug, Lisinopril, works fine, no side effects & I feel fine now. M 59 2 years
2/28/2009
 1  BP Lots of headaches, weakness, depression. I'm on 10/40, up from 10/20, and I still have high bP at night, at the end of the 24 hours before I take my pill. Tonight was 155/100. I'm sure it's this drug and my doctor is ignoring my complaints. What is wrong with these guys/gals. Wake up docs and get this stuff off the market. M 59 21 days
2/26/2009
 3  High blood pressure none F 53 30 days
2/18/2009
 1  HBP Upset stomach, sharp stabbing chest pains, Palpatations, burning in my left pec and arm. Doom and Gloom. Anxiety Holy crap. Thank God for your opinions. I thought I was heading in to a full blown case of Heart Disease. This stuff lowered my bp. It's awesome at that. I can power thru most medications and even the great nitro! But this stuff has paralized me with doom and depression. Even my Mom could feel my DOOM! The burning and palpatations (sp?) scared the crap out of me! I was on it for 3 months, ( all I had was shortness of breath and sharp pains in my chest, never had this before the meds). I went to a new Doctor cause my last wouldn't listen to me about a pain in my side. Her and her nurse even got a giggle out of my nervousness. At the forth month ALL of the symtoms got way worse. I have been on 5/40 for 15 days, I was on 5/20 for 3 months. NO MORE!! I agree with the statement that this drug will work for some, try it, but be careful. I was on Lisinopril, I am going back to it. I just couldn't understand why I was nervous and feeling doomed. Then the palpatations hit. I found a dark M 34 105 days
2/7/2009
 1  HBP Chest pain,indigestion,respitory problems and anxiety After many tests for all side effects listed,they all went away after stopping this medication. Almost put on a anti depressant for anxiety. M 43 2 years
2/6/2009
 3  hypertension I just recently changed dosages from 10/20 to 5/40. "Negative" side effects include loss of libido, dizziness, loss of concentration (blew a red light yesterday...just not concentrating well; even though I don't use street drugs, I feel "stoned" sometimes), muscle weakness and cramps in the feet to thighs. It feels like my legs weigh 50 pounds more and it takes a lot of extra effort to move!I don't have the motivation to exercise and have gained 30 pounds in the time I have been on the medication. "Positive" side effects:I can sleep for 8 hours a night without awakening (even more on mornings I don't have to get up for work), unless I have an early morning leg or foot cramp. I also no longer have the headaches I used to have before I started the medication. I am guessing that I was heading for a stroke unless I started medications when I did. I also take atenolol 50mg daily. I wonder if the side effects might occur because I'm taking a combination of Lotrel plus atenolol. M 54 2 years
2/4/2009
 1  High blood pressure Lethargy-depression, itching, dry skin with rashes, chest congestion, shortness of breath, 10 -pound weight gain that I just couldn't reverse, no matter how much I dieted, exercised, etc., swelling of feet and ankles. I stupidly took Lotrel for 3 years before I realized that all of these reactions I was having were to the drug and were not separate conditions. My blood pressure was controlled (went down to about 140/85 after having been up at 160/90 for some time; hypertension runs in my family) but never reached the ideal, and the doctor was treating all the side effects as separate conditions, diagnosing allergies, asthma, etc, when all along it was (probably) the Lotrel. After some research I told the doctor I wanted to stop the Lotrel and see what happens. Have been on Bisoprolol for (only) 2 days now: BP is down to 140/78, skin is better, I have more energy, lethargy and depression are gone. Wish that I had stopped the Lotrel earlier and trusted my own sense that something was wrong with my body, that the medicine was not quite right. If I hadn't found this website I would still be taking it. This was a big mistake and I suffered all sorts of irritating and painful conditions, I think, because M 42 3 years
1/11/2009

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