Benazepril Tablets, 20mg

ACE Inhibitor Tablets for Heart and Kidney Health in Large Dogs

Product Description

Benazepril HCl 20mg Tablets are a prescription medication that sits at the centre of many treatment plans for heart failure, elevated blood pressure, and kidney disease in large and giant breed dogs. The 20mg strength is the highest tablet available, which makes it the sensible choice for bigger dogs where smaller strengths would require several tablets to hit the right amount. It works on the blood vessel walls to ease the load on the heart and offer the kidneys some protection over time. Reducing protein loss in the urine is another area where it proves particularly useful.

Benefits

• Large Dog Dose Convenience: Many large dogs get their full daily amount from a single 20mg tablet, simplifying daily administration considerably.
• Congestive Heart Failure Management: Eases pressure in the blood vessels to reduce the strain on the heart in large dogs with heart failure.
• Protein-Losing Nephropathy Support: Reduces glomerular hypertension and urinary protein loss in large dogs with protein-losing nephropathy, helping slow progressive kidney damage.
• Systemic Hypertension Control: Brings elevated blood pressure down in large dogs through vasodilation driven by ACE enzyme blockade in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
• Dual Elimination Safety Profile: Cleared through both hepatic and renal pathways, making it better tolerated in dogs with concurrent kidney disease than purely renally-cleared ACE inhibitors.

Ingredients

Active Ingredients

Benazepril Hydrochloride 20mg

How to Use

Benazepril HCl 20mg Tablets are a prescription-only medication. A valid veterinarian prescription is required to purchase this product.

Please follow your veterinarian's specific instructions for the dosage and administration of this medication for your pet.

Disclaimer: Dosage and administration of this medication must be determined by a licensed veterinarian. Always consult your veterinarian before administering or adjusting any prescription medication for your pet.

Tucking it inside a soft pill pocket or wrapping it in a pill wrap treat is one of the easiest ways to make the whole process stress-free.

Shop Pill Pockets for Dogs

Additional Information

Precautions

• Never Stop Abruptly: Cutting this medication off without a proper step-down plan can bring on a dangerous spike in blood pressure, so any changes must be made with your vet's guidance.
• Avoid With Potassium-Sparing Diuretics: Pairing benazepril with spironolactone or potassium supplements without monitoring can push potassium levels to a dangerous degree.
• Caution in Kidney Disease: Renal function needs close monitoring on this medication, particularly when first starting or increasing the dose, as creatinine levels can rise temporarily.
• Caution in Liver Disease: Benazepril relies on the liver to convert it into its active form, so significant hepatic disease may reduce how effectively it works.
• Avoid in Pregnancy: ACE inhibitors are known to cause serious harm to developing fetuses and must not be given to pregnant animals under any circumstances.
• Known Allergy Contraindication: Do not give to any dog with a confirmed sensitivity to benazepril or other ACE inhibitor medications.
• Check for Drug Interactions: Let your vet know if your dog is currently taking NSAIDs, furosemide, other blood pressure medications, or potassium supplements before starting benazepril.

Possible Side Effects

• Low Blood Pressure: Some dogs feel weak or unsteady when treatment begins or when the dose is adjusted upward during management.
• Elevated Potassium: Potassium can build up in the bloodstream during treatment, posing a higher concern in dogs with kidney disease or on certain diuretics.
• Vomiting and Digestive Upset: Stomach upset may show up early in treatment and tends to ease once the tablet is given consistently with a meal.
• Elevated Kidney Values: Blood-Urea-Nitrogen and creatinine readings may nudge upward after starting benazepril, making routine bloodwork an important part of ongoing management.
• Serious Allergic Reactions: Swelling around the face, laboured breathing, or sudden collapse warrant emergency veterinary care without any delay.

Storage Information

• Room Temperature Storage: Store tablets in a tightly closed container away from heat and humidity, keeping conditions stable and consistent between doses.
• Protect from Moisture and Light: A dark, dry storage location away from direct sunlight is the best way to keep these tablets at their full strength.
• Keep Out of Reach: Always store this medication somewhere secure and out of reach of children and untreated pets.

Note: For generic medications, the product image shown may not reflect the actual item received. Generic medications can vary in size, color, and shape between orders depending on the manufacturer. Additionally, your medication may arrive packaged in a HardyPaw Pharmacy vial.

Shipping & Return

We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy.

Prescription items are NON-RETURNABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: For what size dogs is the 20mg benazepril tablet most appropriate?

Ans: The 20mg tablet is designed with large and giant breed dogs in mind, where reaching the right dose with smaller strength tablets would mean giving several at once. A single 20mg tablet simplifies things considerably for owners managing daily medication in a big dog. Your vet will confirm the right dose based on your dog's weight and underlying condition.

Q2: How does benazepril help large dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy?

Ans: In dilated cardiomyopathy the heart is already working harder than it should, and benazepril helps by taking some of that burden away. It eases resistance in the blood vessels so the heart does not have to push as hard with each beat, and it also helps reduce the fluid buildup that makes breathing difficult. Large breeds like Great Danes and Dobermans are particularly prone to this condition.

Q3: Can benazepril 20mg be used alongside pimobendan for large dogs with heart failure?

Ans: Benazepril and pimobendan are often prescribed together for large dogs with heart failure because the two tackle the problem from different angles and work well in combination. This pairing is well supported in veterinary cardiology and is a recognised part of managing dilated cardiomyopathy in larger breeds. Your cardiologist will put together the right plan based on how your dog's heart is functioning.

Q4: What is protein-losing nephropathy in dogs and how does benazepril help?

Ans: Protein-losing nephropathy is a kidney condition where the filtering units become damaged enough to let protein spill into the urine, which over time depletes the body and accelerates kidney decline. Benazepril helps by easing pressure within those filtering units, which reduces how much protein leaks through. Bringing protein loss down is one of the most meaningful steps in slowing how quickly the condition progresses.

Q5: What regular monitoring is recommended for a large dog on benazepril 20mg?

Ans: Dogs on benazepril need periodic bloodwork to keep an eye on kidney values, potassium levels, and blood pressure to make sure everything is staying within a safe range. Checks tend to be more frequent early on and when doses are adjusted, then settle into a routine once the dog is stable. Your vet will set out a schedule that fits your dog's specific health picture.