Benazepril and enalapril
Fortekor (benazepril, veterinary) · Enacard (enalapril, veterinary) · generic benazepril and enalapril (human)
Benazepril and enalapril are ACE inhibitors used in dogs with heart failure and in dogs and cats with kidney disease and protein loss in the urine. Veterinary versions exist, but the human generics are the same drugs and are what most pharmacies dispense on a vet’s prescription.
What it is used for
ACE inhibitors relax blood vessels and reduce the pressure inside the kidney’s filters. In dogs they are part of the standard treatment for heart failure from valve disease or cardiomyopathy, alongside a diuretic and pimobendan, and they are used in both dogs and cats to slow kidney disease that causes protein in the urine. Benazepril is preferred in cats because it is cleared partly by the liver.
Enacard and Fortekor are veterinary products; human enalapril and benazepril tablets are the same drugs at strengths a vet can match. The vet checks kidney values and potassium a week or two after starting, because the drugs can lower blood pressure and raise potassium in an animal that is dehydrated or on a diuretic.
Safety points that differ from human use
- Lethargy, vomiting or loss of appetite after starting, or during an episode of vomiting or diarrhoea, warrants a call; the vet may pause the drug while the animal is dehydrated.
- Do not combine with potassium supplements or an NSAID without the vet’s knowledge.
- Not for pregnant animals.
- Tablets (human and veterinary)
- Compounded flavoured liquids and small capsules for cats
- Enalapril 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg human tablets
- Benazepril 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg human tablets
The 2.5 mg enalapril tablet suits small dogs and cats; benazepril 5 mg is often split for cats.
Why the cash price varies
Both human generics are commodity drugs on most flat-price lists; the cash price is the dispensing fee. The veterinary brands cost more. Compounded cat liquids are made to order.
How to pay less
- Ask the vet whether the human generic is suitable and for a ninety-day prescription, since this is a lifelong medicine.
- Ask whether a scored human tablet, split, would do for a cat before paying for compounding.
- Ask whether the drug is on the pharmacy’s flat-price generic list.
- Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote. You pay the pharmacy directly.
Questions for your vet
- Benazepril or enalapril for my pet, and why?
- When are the kidney and potassium checks?
- What should I do if my pet vomits or stops eating?
- Is it safe with my pet’s other heart and kidney medicines?
- Can I use the human generic tablet?
Rules on refills, transfers and controlled substances differ by state; see pharmacy rules by state.
How Script Unlock gets you a cash price for your pet’s benazepril and enalapril prescription
Prices on this site come from pharmacies responding to a real prescription. We do not publish estimated, average or "typical" prices, because none of those would be your price.
- 1You upload your prescription
A photo of your your pet’s benazepril and enalapril prescription prescription is enough. Nothing is sold on the site; you are asking pharmacies to quote.
- 2Licensed pharmacies respond
Pharmacies that Script Unlock has verified see the request and each can reply with its own cash price for your exact drug, strength and quantity.
- 3You choose and pay the pharmacy
You compare the responses, pick a pharmacy, and pay that pharmacy directly when you collect. Script Unlock never takes a patient payment and never sets the price.
Related pet medications
Sources
- FDA Approved Animal Drug Products (Green Book)
- Merck Veterinary Manual
- FDA Orange Book (approved generics and therapeutic equivalence)
- MedlinePlus drug information (National Library of Medicine)
Written by the Script Unlock editorial team from the sources above. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian or veterinary pharmacist. Last checked 2026-10-03. Nothing here replaces your vet\u2019s directions; doses for animals are set by weight and species.
Script Unlock is a marketplace that lets licensed pharmacies quote a cash price on your prescription. It does not prescribe, dispense or sell medication, does not process patient payments, and does not give medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist and read the medication guide supplied with your medicine.