Benazecare is indicated for the treatment of heart failure in dogs.

The active ingredient is benazepril. After oral administration, benazepril is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and hydrolysed into benazeprilat, a highly specific and potent inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Benazeprilat produces significant inhibition of plasma ACE activity for more than 24 hours after a single dose in dogs. Inhibition of ACE leads to a reduced conversion of inactive angiotensin I into angiotensin II and therefore reduction in the effects mediated by angiotensin II, including vasoconstriction of both arteries and veins and retention of sodium and water by the kidney. In dogs with heart failure, benazeprilat lowers the blood pressure and volume loading effect on the heart.

Benazeprilat leads to a significant extension of the life span of dogs with heart failure and also improves clinical signs, notably reduction in coughing and improvement of the quality of life. In contrast with other ACE inhibitors, benazeprilat is excreted equally by both biliary and urinary routes in dogs and therefore no adjustment of the dose of Benazecare is necessary in the treatment of cases with renal insufficiency