POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Benefortin Flavour 2.5 mg Tablets for Cats and Dogs

Active ingredient: Benazepril Hydrochloride

Form

Tablet

Species

Cats Dogs

Manufacturer

Lavet Pharmaceuticals Ltd

VMD MA No.

32823/4006

What it's used for

Dogs: Treatment of congestive heart failure. Cats: Reduction of proteinuria associated with chronic kidney disease.

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

Paying less for Benazepril Hydrochloride

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Your prescription rights → VMD register of retailers →

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Benefortin Flavour 2.5 mg Tablets for Cats and Dogs — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 18 Mar 2026.

Dogs:
Treatment of congestive heart failure.
Cats:
Reduction of proteinuria associated with chronic kidney disease.

The veterinary medicinal product should be given orally once daily, with or without food.
The duration of treatment is unlimited.
The tablets are flavoured and are taken voluntarily by most dogs and cats.
Dogs:
Tablets 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:
Benamax / Benefortin Flavour 2.5 mgWeight of dog (kg)Standard doseDouble dose2.5 - 50.5 tablet1 tablet>5 – 101 tablet2 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.
Cats:
Tablets should be administered orally at a minimum dose of 0.5 mg (range 0.5-1.0)
benazepril hydrochloride/kg body weight once daily according to the following table:
Weight of cat (kg)
Benamax / Benefortin
Flavour 2.5 mg
2.5 – 51 tablet>5 – 102 tablets

Do not use in 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).

In double-blind clinical trials in dogs with congestive heart failure, benazepril 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
cats and dogs with chronic kidney disease, benazepril 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.
Benazepril may increase food consumption and body weight in cats. Emesis, anorexia,
dehydration, lethargy and diarrhoea have been reported in rare occasions in cats.

None.

Revised: June 2020
AN: 00221/2020

Special precautions for use in animals
No evidence of renal toxicity of the veterinary medicinal product has been observed (in
dogs or cats) 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 benazepril has not been established in dogs and
cats below 2.5 kg body weight.
The chewable tablets are flavoured. In order to avoid any accidental ingestion, store
tablets out of reach of the animals.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
Wash hands after use.
In case of accidental oral ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the label or
the package leaflet to the physician.
Pregnant women should take special care to avoid accidental oral exposure because
angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been found to affect the unborn child
during pregnancy in humans.

In dogs with congestive heart failure, benazepril hydrochloride 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 benazepril

Revised: June 2020
AN: 00221/2020
hydrochloride and other anti-hypertensive agents (e.g. calcium channel blockers,
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 benazepril in combination
with a potassium-sparing diuretic because of the risk of hyperkalaemia.

Do not store above 25°C.
Store in a dry place.
Each time an unused half tablet is stored, it should be returned to the open blister space and
inserted back into the cardboard box and kept in a safe place out of the reach of children.

Not applicable.

Revised: June 2020
AN: 00221/2020
5.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.