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aliskiren vs amlodipine/benazepril

Side-by-side comparison of aliskiren and amlodipine/benazepril. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

major Known Drug Interaction

Dual Blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS): Dual blockade of the RAS with angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, or aliskiren is associated with increased risks of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and changes in renal function (including acute renal failure) compared to monotherapy. Do not coadminister aliskiren with Lotrel in patients with diabetes. Avoid use of aliskiren with Lotrel in patients with renal impairment [glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 mL/min].

Recommendation: Avoid taking these drugs together, especially if you have diabetes or kidney disease. Your doctor will likely choose a different treatment to protect your kidneys.

Drug Class
aliskiren Direct Renin Inhibitor
amlodipine/benazepril Calcium Channel Blocker / ACE Inhibitor Combination
Type
aliskiren Prescription
amlodipine/benazepril Prescription
Summary
aliskiren

Tekturna is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure. It helps lower blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

amlodipine/benazepril

Lotrel is a combination medicine that contains amlodipine and benazepril. It is used to treat high blood pressure.

What It Treats
aliskiren

Tekturna is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children who weigh at least 110 pounds and are 6 years or older. Lowering your blood pressure helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. It is important to manage high blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle too.

amlodipine/benazepril

Lotrel is used to treat high blood pressure. It is for people whose blood pressure is not controlled well enough with just one medicine (either amlodipine or benazepril alone). This medicine helps to lower blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

How It Works
aliskiren

Tekturna works by blocking a substance in your body called renin. Renin helps to control your blood pressure. By blocking renin, Tekturna helps to lower your blood pressure.

amlodipine/benazepril

Lotrel contains two medicines that work in different ways to lower blood pressure. Amlodipine relaxes and widens blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Benazepril lowers blood pressure by preventing your body from making a substance that narrows blood vessels.

Common Side Effects
aliskiren
  • Diarrhea
amlodipine/benazepril
  • Cough
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Swelling (edema)
FAERS Reports
aliskiren
  • Weakness 367
  • Fall 356
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 336
  • Shortness of breath 314
  • Headache 301
amlodipine/benazepril
  • Tiredness 15,696
  • Diarrhea 14,038
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 13,425
  • Shortness of breath 13,222
  • Feeling lightheaded 10,671
Serious Warnings
aliskiren

Tekturna can harm your unborn baby, even causing death. If you become pregnant, stop taking Tekturna right away and tell your doctor.

amlodipine/benazepril

This medicine can harm your unborn baby or cause death. If you become pregnant, stop taking Lotrel and tell your doctor right away.

Pregnancy
aliskiren

Tekturna can cause serious harm or death to an unborn baby. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about other blood pressure medicines. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking Tekturna.

amlodipine/benazepril

Do not take Lotrel if you are pregnant. It can cause serious harm to your unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.

How to Read This aliskiren vs amlodipine/benazepril Comparison

aliskiren is classified in the Direct Renin Inhibitor drug class, while amlodipine/benazepril sits within the Calcium Channel Blocker / ACE Inhibitor Combination class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, aliskiren has 1,674 submissions while amlodipine/benazepril has 67,052. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known major interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to both of these drugs target the same system that controls blood pressure, which can cause your blood pressure to drop too low. this combination also increases the risk of kidney damage and high potassium levels.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between aliskiren and amlodipine/benazepril - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.