Valsartan vs. Benazepril
See how Valsartan and Benazepril compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Valsartan is an ARB approved for high blood pressure, heart failure, and post-heart-attack care, while benazepril, an ACE inhibitor, is FDA-approved only for hypertension.
Both are once-daily tablets, but valsartan starts at 80 mg with two dose steps, while benazepril starts at 5 mg with more titration options up to 80 mg.
Valsartan does not cause the dry cough linked to ACE inhibitors, but its reported rates of headache and dizziness are higher than benazepril's.
Valsartan vs. Benazepril Drug Summary
Valsartan
Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and to reduce cardiovascular death after a heart attack. It comes as a tablet taken once daily, usually starting at 80 mg.
Benazepril
Benazepril is an ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children six and older. It comes as a tablet taken once daily, starting at 5 mg and increasing gradually up to 80 mg if needed.
Valsartan vs. Benazepril Side Effects
Valsartan
Benazepril
Valsartan vs. Benazepril Dosage
Valsartan
Benazepril
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 80 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | Up to 320 mg daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 5 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 0.6 mg/kg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 6 increases | As tolerated |
Valsartan
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 80 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | Up to 320 mg daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
Benazepril
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 5 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 0.6 mg/kg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 6 increases | As tolerated |
Valsartan vs. Benazepril Indications
Valsartan
Valsartan treats high blood pressure in adults and children one year and older. It's also approved for heart failure, to cut hospital stays, and after a heart attack to lower cardiovascular death risk in people with a weakened heart.
Hypertension in adults and children 1 year and older
Heart failure (NYHA class II-IV) to reduce hospitalization
Post-heart-attack care to lower cardiovascular death risk
Can be combined with other blood pressure medications
Benazepril
Benazepril treats high blood pressure in adults and children six years and older. It's often paired with a diuretic or another blood pressure drug when one medication alone doesn't control pressure fully.
Hypertension in adults
Hypertension in children 6 years and older
Often combined with a diuretic for added control
Can be paired with other antihypertensive drugs
Valsartan vs. Benazepril Pros and Cons
Valsartan
Valsartan is an ARB with proven benefits beyond blood pressure control, backed by large heart failure and post-heart-attack trials. It generally causes less cough than ACE inhibitors but has a shorter track record than older ACE inhibitors like benazepril.
Pros
FDA-approved for heart failure and to reduce death after a heart attack, not just high blood pressure
Approved for children as young as 1 year old for hypertension
Does not cause the dry cough common with ACE inhibitors like benazepril
Simple three-step titration schedule reaching a max dose within 4 weeks
Cons
Higher reported rates of headache and dizziness than benazepril in clinical trials
Fewer years on the market than benazepril, which has been available since 1991
Still carries an angioedema warning, though the risk is generally lower than with ACE inhibitors
Benazepril
Benazepril is a well-established ACE inhibitor with decades of real-world use and a flexible range of tablet strengths. It's limited to hypertension treatment and carries the class-wide angioedema and cough risks typical of ACE inhibitors.
Pros
Five adult tablet strengths (5 to 80 mg) allow finer dose adjustments
Long-established safety record with FDA approval since 1991
Approved for children 6 years and older with hypertension
Lower reported rates of headache and dizziness than valsartan in trials
Cons
Boxed warning for angioedema, including reactions that have been fatal
The class-typical dry cough leads about 0.5% of patients to stop treatment
Only FDA-approved for hypertension, not heart failure or post-heart-attack care
Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore
Explore a range of common symptoms the Doctronic Symptom Checker can help you understand.