Introduction

Name

• Benazepril hydrochloride.

Class of drug

• Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor.

Description

Chemical name

• [S-(R1-R)]-3-[[1-(Ethoxycarbonyl)-3-phenylpropyl]amino]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2-oxo-1 H-1-benzazepine-1-acetic acid.

Molecular formula

• C24H28N2O5.

Molecular weight

• 424.49.

Storage requirements

• Store in a dry place.

Uses

Indications

• Treatment of congestive heart failure   Heart: congestive heart failure  .
• Treatment of hypertension.
• Beneficial cardiac effects have been confirmed in experimental models using rabbits.
• May be of benefit in the treatment of chronic renal insufficiency although the use of ACE inhibitors for renal failure   Kidney: renal failure  in rabbits has not been fully validated.

Administration

Pharmacokinetics

Precautions

Interactions

with other drugs

• Can be administered in combination with diuretics and the inodilator, pimobendan   Pimobendan  .
• Combination drug therapy using benazepril, furosemide   Furosemide  and pimobendan   Pimobendan  may have hypotensive effects.  
• Anesthetics and sedative drugs may exacerbate hypotensive effects.
• Use with potassium-sparing diuretics, eg spironolactone, may cause hyperkalemia   Hyperkalemia  .
• Use with NSAIDs   Therapeutics: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs  may increase risk of nephrotoxicity.

Monitoring

• Monitor blood pressure   Blood pressure measurement  3 days after starting treatment (normal systolic pressure for a rabbit is 90-135 mmHg).
• Monitor blood pressure if any deterioration of condition.
• Regular monitoring of blood pressure   Blood pressure measurement  , serum creatinine   Blood biochemistry: creatinine  , urea   Blood biochemistry: urea  and electrolytes.
• Regular monitoring of urine protein   Urinalysis: protein  .

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Xio P, Gao C, Fan J et al (2011) Blockade of angiotensin II improves hyperthyroid induced abnormal atrial electrophysiological properties. Regul Pept 169 (1-3), 31-38 PubMed.
• Reusch B (2005) Investigation and management of cardiovascular disease in rabbits. In Pract 27 (8), 418-425 VetMedResource.
• Li D Y, Zhao K, Zhou J F et al (2004) Changes of expressions of VEGF, bFGF and angiogenesis, and effect of benazepril, bFGF on angiogenesis in acute myocardial infarction models of the rabbits. Biomed Environ Sci 17 (4), 442-451 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Ramsey I (2014) BSAVA Small Animal Formulary. 8th edn. BSAVA. ISBN: 9781905319657.
• Saunders R (2014) Therapeutics. In:BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine. Eds: Meredith A & Lord B. BSAVA, Gloucester.
• Varga M (2014) Textbook of Rabbit Medicine. 2nd edn. Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier, Edinburgh.
• Fisher P G (2013) Renal Disorders. In:Clinical Veterinary Advisor. Birds and Exotics Pets. Eds: Mayer J & Donnelly T M. Elsevier, Missouri.
• Raftery A (2013) Cardiovascular Disease. In:Clinical Veterinary Advisor.Birds and Exotics Pets. Eds: Mayer J & Donnelly T M. Elsevier, Missouri.
• Veterinary Medicines Directorate (2013) Veterinary Medicines Guidance Notes. Website:www.gov.uk/government/collections/veterinary-medicines-guidance-notes-vmgns.

Organisation(s)

• National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) Compendium of Data Sheets for Animal Medicines. Website:  www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Compendium/Overview/-21789.html