Lotrel and Alcohol Interaction
Lotrel and Alcohol
Lotrel greneric name amlodipine and benazepril is a combination of two drugs which belong to a family of drugs known as calcium channel blockers. It is used to treat high blood pressure and is usually tried after other blood pressure medications have been tried unsuccessfully.
Amlodipine relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow. Benazepril is and ACE inhibitor which stands for angiotensin converting enzyme which also widens blood vessels and hinders the body from retaining water.
It is suggested that you discuss alcohol consumption with your physician as it may further lower your blood pressure and increase side effects of the drug.
At this time the medical community defines moderate consumption of alcohol as no more than two drinks per day and no more than 14 drinks per week. Anything more than that is considered an unhealthy dependency on alcohol that may have adverse social, family and health consequences.
If a person drinks only once or twice a week but drinks on the same days each week and more than two drinks this is considered as an alcohol dependency.
If a person binge drinks at any time during the week this is also considered as alcoholism.
Some consider alcoholism as a disease while others consider it an addiction which is the result of personal choice and character fault. This school of thought blames the alcoholism on life style choices.
Personally I consider alcoholism a genetic tendency as I have seen families of alcoholics even when they live far apart. These unfortunate people are probably dependent on alcohol from the first drink.
When alcohol interacts with prescription or over the counter drugs it usually results in negative health effects most especially liver damage as the main organ affected.
Before using Lotrel advise your physician if you are allergic to this or any other drug or substance, are pregnant, plan to be so, are breastfeeding, have ever had angiodema (hives), have kidney disease, heart disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes or are on a low salt diet.
Side Effects
Less serious side effects are cough, dizziness, headache, sleep problems, flushing, diarrhea, constipation, muscle pain or loss of interest in sex. If these occur call your physician for advice.
Serious side effects are trouble swallowing, chest pain, faint, changes in urination, swelling, rapid weight gain, fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms, nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay coloured stools or jaundice. If these occur get emergency medical help.
This site serves as an information source only and does not dispense medical advice or any other kind of advice. If you are seeking medical advice you are advised to consult your own physician.
Lotrel and Alcohol
Return from Lotrel and Alcohol to home page.
Hard copy and E book for sale. What's Killing You and What You Can Do About It. Click here.
Hard copy and E book for sale. Introduction to Building Mechanical Systems. Click here.