Does CBD Interact With Benazepril Hydrochloride (Lotensin)?

Similar Medications: CBD & ACE inhibitors

Benazepril hydrochloride is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. CBD and ACE inhibitors all share similar risks for interaction and side effects since they’re all used to decrease blood pressure levels and congestive heart failure.

Here’s a list of similar medications that share a similar level of risk when combined with CBD:

• Captopril (Capoten)
• Enalapril Maleate (Vasotec)
• Fosinopril Sodium (Monopril)
• Lisinopril (Prinivel & Zestril)
• Moexipril (Univasc)
• Perindopril (Aceon)
• Quinapril Hydrochloride (Accupril)
• Ramipril (Altace)
• Trandolapril (Mavik)

Is It Safe to Take CBD & Benazepril Hydrochloride (Lotensin) Together?

CBD and benazepril hydrochloride can have a moderate level of interaction with each other. It may worsen with high doses, taken for a long duration.

Since both drugs have antihypertensive properties, they could lessen the blood pressure more than normal. Besides this, long-term usage may cause the excess accumulation of both drugs in the body, causing more side effects.

Nevertheless, always consult your prescribing physician first if you want to take them together. If you encounter any abnormal side effects, get medical treatment at once.

Is CBD A Viable Alternative to Benazepril Hydrochloride (Lotensin)?

CBD, though possessing antihypertensive abilities, cannot be considered to be equal to stronger antihypertensive drugs like benazepril hydrochloride.

CBD can lower blood pressure by working on the CB1 receptors in the endothelium. This causes a release of nitric oxide, whose action on the blood vessel dilates it, leading to a decrease in blood pressure [2].

One study showed that CBD reduces blood pressure in users who also have tachycardia [3].

CBD has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties too, which can also help treat inflammatory conditions that cause high blood pressure [4].

CBD has the potential to be a good adjunct and may even work as a mild antihypertensive, but it may not be adequate for use in severe conditions.

What is Benazepril Hydrochloride (Lotensin)?

Benazepril hydrochloride (Lotensin) is an antihypertensive class called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It treats hypertension, congestive heart failure, reduced proteinuria, and renal disease in patients with nephropathies.

It can also prevent stroke, myocardial infarction, and cardiac death in high-risk patients. One of its commonly used brand names is Lotensin.

It is FDA-approved and available as a prescription drug.

Benazepril Hydrochloride (Lotensin) Specs:

Other Names For Benazepril Hydrochloride (Lotensin)

Benazepril hydrochloride is sold under many different names. All share the same risk and potential interactions.

Other names for benazepril hydrochloride (Lotensin)  include:

• Amlobenz
• Benzil
• Lotensin Hct
• Lotrel

What Does Benazepril Hydrochloride (Lotensin) Do?

Benazepril hydrochloride is a prodrug that gets hydrolyzed by esterases to its active form benazeprilat. It can inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).

ACE works by converting angiotensin I (ATI) to angiotensin II (ATII). The ATII can regulate blood pressure and is the main component in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS).

The RAAS mechanism controls and regulates the circulation of blood and water, and balances electrolytes. There will be a release of renin from the kidneys at the moment of sympathetic stimulation or when there is less blood pressure or less blood flow into the kidneys.

This renin will now convert the circulating angiotensinogen in the bloodstream into ATI. ATI is then converted into ATII by ACE. ATII stimulates the secretion of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex, which then causes an increased sodium and water reabsorption. This leads to a rise in blood pressure.

ATII can also stimulate the secretion of vasopressin or the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) from the posterior pituitary gland. This action allows further reabsorption of water from the kidneys. ATII also directly constricts the arteries, causing a rise in blood pressure.

Benazepril hydrochloride stops this by competing against angiotensin I for binding at the angiotensin-converting enzyme. This blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II and thus lowers blood pressure.

It has a half-life of 10 to 12 hours, and it stays in the system for almost 24 hours.

Side Effects of Benazepril Hydrochloride (Lotensin)

Benazepril hydrochloride should not be used in pregnancy as it can affect the renin-angiotensin system in babies, causing oligohydramnios and may even cause fetal death.

Anyone with a history of hereditary or idiopathic angioedema should not use this drug.

Side effects of Benazepril Hydrochloride (Lotensin)

• Alopecia
• Arthralgia
• Arthritis
• Chest pain
• Cough
• Dermatitis
• Dizziness
• Dyspnea
• Fatigue
• Flushing
• Gastritis
• Headache
• Hyperglycemia
• Hypersensitivity
• Hypotension
• Impotence
• Increased sleepiness
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Palpitations
• Proteinuria
• Rash
• Vomiting

Key Takeaways: Is it Safe to Take Benazepril Hydrochloride (Lotensin) With CBD?

Taking CBD and benazepril together has a moderate chance of interaction. Taking both drugs together can cause side effects such as a rapid drop in blood pressure, dizziness, etc. This is especially true for the long-term use of both drugs. A small dosage of both for a short period may reduce the chances of such interaction.

However, never take both of them together without consulting your prescribing physician first.  

CBD has the potential to treat milder cases of hypertension or be an adjunct to other antihypertensives.

References

1. Sadovsky, R. (2002). Antihypertensive agents and cytochrome p450 interactions. American Family Physician, 65(11), 2356.
2. Stanley, C. P., Hind, W. H., Tufarelli, C., & O’Sullivan, S. E. (2015). Cannabidiol causes endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation of human mesenteric arteries via CB1 activation. Cardiovascular Research, 107(4), 568-578.
3. Jadoon, K. A., Tan, G. D., & O’Sullivan, S. E. (2017). A single dose of cannabidiol reduces blood pressure in healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study. JCI insight, 2(12).
4.  Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2020). Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. Antioxidants, 9(1), 21.