BenazeVet 20 mg Tablets for Dogs
Benazepril Hydrochloride
Last verified
Veterinary medicinal product: tablet. Distribution category: POM-V (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Benazepril Hydrochloride.1
In short: questions and answers
- Does BenazeVet 20 mg Tablets for Dogs need a prescription?
- Prescription only. As stated in the registration decision.1
- Which animals is BenazeVet 20 mg Tablets for Dogs for?
- Dogs.1
- What is the active substance in BenazeVet 20 mg Tablets for Dogs?
- Benazepril Hydrochloride. ATCvet code: QC09AA07.13
- What is the withdrawal period of BenazeVet 20 mg Tablets for Dogs according to the leaflet?
- No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3
- Dispensing
- Prescription only1
POM-V: Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinarian. Supplied only on a prescription written by a veterinary surgeon who has assessed the animal.12
Supplied only on a veterinarian's prescription. As stated in the registration decision.
- Animal species
- Dogs1
- Active substance
- Benazepril Hydrochloride
- ATCvet code
- QC09AA073
- Manufacturer
- Marketing authorisation holder: Elanco Europe Ltd
Withdrawal period
No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3
Summary of product characteristics
Composition
Each tablet contains:
Active substance: Benazepril hydrochloride 20 mg
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
6.1 List of excipients
Cellulose microcrystalline
Crospovidone
Povidone
Basic butylated methacrylate copolymer
Silicon dioxide anhydrous
Sodium laurilsulfate
Dibutyl sebacate
Silica colloidal anhydrous
Stearic acid
Yeast powder
Artificial powdered beef flavour
Pharmaceutical form
Tablets.
Beige to light brown, ovaloid, divisible tablets, scored on both sides.
The tablets can be divided into halves.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: ACE Inhibitors, plain.
ATCvet code: QC09AA07
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Benazepril hydrochloride is a prodrug hydrolysed in vivo to its active metabolite, benazeprilat.
Benazeprilat is a highly potent and selective inhibitor of ACE, thus preventing the conversion of inactive angiotensin I to active angiotensin II and thereby also reducing synthesis of aldosterone. Therefore, it blocks effects mediated by angiotensin II and aldosterone, including vasoconstriction of both arteries and veins, retention of sodium and water by the kidney and remodelling effects (including pathological cardiac hypertrophy and degenerative renal changes).
The veterinary medicinal product causes long-lasting inhibition of plasma ACE activity, with more than 95% inhibition at peak effect and significant activity (>80% in dogs) persisting 24 hours after dosing.
The product reduces the blood pressure and volume load on the heart in dogs with congestive heart failure.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic particulars
After oral administration of benazepril hydrochloride, peak levels of benazepril are attained rapidly (Tmax 0.5 hour in dogs) and decline quickly as the active substance is partially metabolised by liver enzymes to benazeprilat. The systemic bioavailability is incomplete (~13% in dogs) due to incomplete absorption (38% in dogs, After oral administration of benazepril hydrochloride, peak levels of benazepril are attained rapidly (Tmax 0.5 hour in dogs) and decline quickly as the active substance is partially metabolised by liver enzymes to benazeprilat. The systemic bioavailability is incomplete (~13% in dogs) due to incomplete absorption (38% in dogs) and first pass metabolism.
In dogs, peak benazeprilat concentrations (Cmax of 37.6 ng/ml after a dose of 0.5 mg/kg benazepril hydrochloride) are achieved with a Tmax of 1.25 hours.
Benazeprilat concentrations decline biphasically: the initial fast phase (t1/2=1.7 hours in dogs) represents elimination of free drug, while the terminal phase (t1/2=19 hours in dogs) reflects the release of benazeprilat that was bound to ACE, mainly in the tissues. Benazepril and benazeprilat are extensively bound to plasma proteins (85- 90%), and in tissues are found mainly in the liver and kidney.
There is no significant difference in the pharmacokinetics of benazeprilat when benazepril hydrochloride is administered to fed or fasted dogs. Repeated administration of the veterinary medicinal product leads to slight bioaccumulation of benazeprilat (R=1.47 in dogs with 0.5 mg/kg), steady state being achieved within a few days (4 days in dogs).
Benazeprilat is excreted 54% via the biliary and 46% via the urinary route in dogs. The clearance of benazeprilat is not affected in dogs with impaired renal function and therefore no adjustment of the dose of the product is required in cases of renal insufficiency.
Target species
Dogs.
Indications
Dogs:
Treatment of congestive heart failure.
Dosage
This veterinary medicinal product should be given orally once daily, with or without food. The duration of treatment is unlimited.
This product is flavoured and is taken voluntarily by most dogs.
If a tablet is divided into halves the remaining tablet portion should be given at the next administration.
This veterinary medicinal product should be administered orally at a minimum dose of 0.25 mg (range 0.25-0.5) benazepril hydrochloride/kg body weight once daily, according to the following table:
| Weight of dog (kg) | BenazeVet 20 mg, standard dose | BenazeVet 20 mg, double dose |
|---|---|---|
| >20 - 40 | 0.5 tablet | 1 tablet |
| >40 - 80 | 1 tablet | 2 tablets |
The dose may be doubled, still administered once daily, to a minimum dose of 0.5 mg/kg (range 0.5-1.0), if judged clinically necessary and advised by the veterinary surgeon.
Contraindications
Do not use in known cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
Do not use in cases of hypotension, hypovolaemia, hyponatraemia or acute renal failure.
Do not use in cases of cardiac output failure due to aortic or pulmonary stenosis.
Do not use during pregnancy or lactation (section 4.7).
Adverse reactions
In double-blind clinical trials in dogs with congestive heart failure, the veterinary medicinal product was well tolerated with an incidence of adverse reactions lower than observed in placebo-treated dogs.
A small number of dogs may exhibit transient vomiting, incoordination or signs of fatigue.
In rare occasions diarrhoea and anorexia have been reported in dogs.
In dogs with chronic kidney disease, the product may increase plasma creatinine concentrations at the start of therapy. A moderate increase in plasma creatinine concentrations following administration of ACE inhibitors is compatible with the reduction in glomerular hypertension induced by these agents, and is therefore not necessarily a reason to stop therapy in the absence of other signs.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).
Warnings
Special precautions for use in animals
No evidence of renal toxicity of the veterinary medicinal product has been observed in dogs during clinical trials, however, as is routine in cases of chronic kidney disease, it is recommended to monitor plasma creatinine, urea and erythrocyte counts during therapy.
The efficacy and safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established in dogs below 2.5 kg body weight.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
The product may cause hypotension after ingestion. To avoid accidental ingestion, particularly by a child, unused part-tablets should be returned to the open blister space and inserted back into the carton. In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been found to affect the unborn child during pregnancy in humans. Pregnant women should therefore take special care to avoid accidental ingestion, including hand to mouth contact.
Wash hands after use.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
Do not use during pregnancy or lactation. The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs.
Embryotoxic effects (foetal urinary tract malformation) were seen in trials with laboratory animals (rats) at maternally non-toxic doses.
Interactions
In dogs with congestive heart failure, the veterinary medicinal product has been given in combination with digoxin, diuretics, pimobendan and anti-arrhythmic veterinary medicinal products without demonstrable adverse interactions.
In humans, the combination of ACE inhibitors and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) can lead to reduced anti-hypertensive efficacy or impaired renal function. The combination of the veterinary medicinal product and other anti- hypertensive agents (e.g. calcium channel blockers, β-blockers or diuretics), anaesthetics or sedatives may lead to additive hypotensive effects. Therefore, concurrent use of NSAIDs or other medications with a hypotensive effect should be considered with care. Renal function and signs of hypotension (lethargy, weakness etc) should be monitored closely and treated as necessary. Interactions with potassium preserving diuretics like spironolactone, triamterene or amiloride cannot be ruled out. It is recommended to monitor plasma potassium levels when using the veterinary medicinal product in combination with a potassium sparing diuretic because of the risk of hyperkalaemia.
Overdose
The veterinary medicinal product reduced erythrocyte counts in normal dogs when dosed at 150 mg/kg body weight once daily for 12 months, but this effect was not observed at the recommended dose during clinical trials in dogs.
Transient reversible hypotension may occur in cases of accidental overdose. Therapy should consist of intravenous infusion of warm isotonic saline.
Special warnings
None.
Withdrawal period
Not applicable.
Incompatibilities
Not applicable.
Immediate packaging
14 tablets per aluminium/aluminium blister. Cardboard box with 2 blisters (28 tablets)
Storage
This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Each time an unused half tablet is stored, it should be returned to the open blister space, inserted back into the cardboard box and kept in a safe place out of the sight and reach of children.
Shelf life
Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 years
Shelf-life of tablet halves: 2 days
Disposal of unused product
Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal product should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
Additional information
Vm 00879/5059
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION
29 March 2022
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
December 2025
Approved: 09 December 2025
Registration holder
Elanco Europe Ltd.
Form 2, Bartley Way
Bartley Wood Business Park
Hook
RG27 9XA
Regulations
- Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/2033), Schedule 32
Sources
- VMD Product Information Database: BenazeVet 20 mg Tablets for Dogs, 00879/5059
- The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3 (categories of veterinary medicinal products)
- Summary of Product Characteristics: BenazeVet 20 mg Tablets for Dogs
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