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 brands are sold in some countries, but the human generics are the same drugs, and a licensed pharmacy can fill a vet’s prescription for them.
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 often chosen for cats because it is cleared partly by the liver.
Veterinary brands such as Enacard (enalapril) and Fortekor (benazepril) are sold in some countries; 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.
Giving it to your pet
- How to give it
- Once or twice a day as prescribed, with or without food.
- If you miss a dose
- Give it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next dose; in that case skip the missed dose and carry on as usual. Never give two doses at once to catch up.
- Storage
- At room temperature in a closed container, away from moisture, and out of reach of pets and children.
- Call your vet if you see
- Tiredness, weakness, vomiting or reduced appetite, which can mean blood pressure is too low or the kidneys need checking. Your vet will recheck kidney values and potassium. Tell your vet before adding anti-inflammatories or potassium supplements.
Your vet’s instructions and the label on your pet’s medicine take priority over this general information.
Safety points that differ from human use
- Lethargy, vomiting or loss of appetite after starting, or during an episode of vomiting or diarrhea, 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 flavored 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
Each pharmacy sets its own cash price, so quotes for the same benazepril or enalapril prescription can differ. Human tablets, veterinary brands and compounded liquids for cats are different products, so a quote applies only to the exact drug, form, strength and quantity prescribed. Because this is usually a lifelong medicine, comparing quotes before the first fill is worthwhile.
Upload it and licensed pharmacies reply with their own cash price. You pay the pharmacy, not us.
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.
- For a cat, ask the vet whether part of a scored human tablet gives an accurate dose, or whether a compounded preparation is needed.
- If a different strength would be easier to fill, the pharmacist may contact your vet; only the vet can change the prescription.
- 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?
The same medicine is prescribed for people: see the Benazepril guide for how it is supplied and priced at pharmacies.
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’s 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.