Drug interactions
Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium
Severity: Major
Amlodipine-benazepril and Lithium: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
ACE inhibitors can reduce renal lithium clearance and raise serum lithium, leading to toxicity such as tremor, confusion, ataxia and gastrointestinal upset. Cases have occurred days to weeks after starting the ACE inhibitor.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amlodipine-benazepril and Lithium can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Amlodipine-benazepril belongs to Cardiovascular; Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
ACE inhibitors reduce sodium and glomerular filtration, increasing proximal tubular reabsorption of lithium.
What to do
Avoid if possible; otherwise check serum lithium before and within the first week or so after starting benazepril and after dose changes. Reduce the lithium dose as needed and counsel patients on toxicity symptoms.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Amlodipine-benazepril
- Aliskiren + Amlodipine-benazepril Contraindicated
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Sacubitril / valsartan Contraindicated
- Aldesleukin + Amlodipine-benazepril Major
- Amifostine + Amlodipine-benazepril Major
- Amiloride + Amlodipine-benazepril Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Azilsartan Major
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amlodipine-benazepril with Lithium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Amlodipine-benazepril and Lithium can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. ACE inhibitors can reduce renal lithium clearance and raise serum lithium, leading to toxicity such as tremor, confusion, ataxia and gastrointestinal upset. Cases have occurred days to weeks after starting the ACE inhibitor.
How serious is the interaction between Amlodipine-benazepril and Lithium?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid if possible; otherwise check serum lithium before and within the first week or so after starting benazepril and after dose changes. Reduce the lithium dose as needed and counsel patients on toxicity symptoms.
What other medicines interact with Amlodipine-benazepril?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Amlodipine-benazepril with, for example, Aliskiren, Sacubitril / valsartan, Aldesleukin. The full list is on the Amlodipine-benazepril page.
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