Amtrel Dosage/Direction for Use

The effect dosage of amlodipine for the treatment of hypertension is 2.5-10 mg daily, while the daily dosage for benazepril is 10-80 mg. In a clinical trial involving a combined treatment of amlodipine 2.5-5 mg and benazepril 10-20 mg, the blood pressure reducing effects of amlodipine increased with increased dosage of amlodipine in all patient groups. In non-Black people, the blood-pressure lowering effects also increased with increased benazepril dosage. In all patient groups, edema caused by amlodipine was reduced.
Risks from benazepril are usually not associated with dosage. However, some risks of amlodipine are related with dosage (peripheral vascular edema), while others are not. Dosage-related risks, however, are more commonly seen. When benazepril is combined with amlodipine, the rate of edema will reduce. Thus, although amlodipine combined with benazepril contain side effects of both that are unrelated to dosage, the rate of edema is lower compared to using amlodipine alone.
In order to reduce risks carried with using the combined formula, it is only recommended in the following situations and Amtrel should not be used in the initial treatment of hypertension: When a single antihypertensive drug is ineffective and when amlodipine treatment does not reach the expected effects and no edema occurs.
Therapy Replacement: For convenience, patients taking amlodipine and benazepril in combination but in separate tablets may now take Amtrel alone, with the identical dosage as before.
Patients with Metabolic Dysfunction: When patients with a CrCl >30 mL/min/1.73 m² (similar to serum creatinine concentration ≤3 mg/dL or 265 mM/L), dosage adjustment is not needed.
Patient with Severe Renal Dysfunction: The recommended initial dosage for benazepril is 5 mg and Amtrel is not recommended.
Children, Elderly, Weak and Patients with Liver Dysfunction: The recommended initial dosage for amlodipine, whether given alone or in combination, is 2.5 mg.