Benicar HCT Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Benicar HCT (olmesartan / hydrochlorothiazide) is a combination pill that’s FDA approved to treat high blood pressure in adults. It contains two medications: olmesartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a diuretic (water pill). These medications work in different ways to lower blood pressure.

It’s good to know about Benicar HCT’s potential side effects and drug interactions. But it’s also important to be aware of how much to take. Your prescriber will give you instructions for how to take your medication. But here’s what a typical Benicar HCT dosage may look like, plus what to do if you miss your dose.

What’s the typical Benicar HCT dosage for adults?

Benicar HCT contains two blood pressure medications: olmesartan and HCTZ. If you’re already taking either one (or both), you may be able to switch to Benicar HCT, depending on your dosage. 

Promotion disclosure

Benicar HCT (Olmesartan/HCTZ)

Avg retail price

$195.08(Save 90.71%)

GoodRx discount

$18.13

See all discounts

How it works

Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.

Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

Benicar HCT tablets come in the following doses:

• 20 mg olmesartan / 12.5 mg HCTZ

• 40 mg olmesartan / 12.5 mg HCTZ

• 40 mg olmesartan / 25 mg HCTZ

Your starting dosage usually depends on whether you were taking olmesartan or HCTZ before switching to Benicar HCT. The manufacturer’s recommended starting dosages are:

• 40 mg olmesartan / 12.5 mg HCTZ once a day, if you were taking olmesartan

• 20 mg olmesartan / 12.5 mg HCTZ once a day, if you were taking HCTZ

If you were already taking olmesartan and HCTZ separately, you’ll take a comparable Benicar HCT dosage. 

Your prescriber may increase your dosage to 40 mg olmesartan / 25 mg HCTZ if your blood pressure is still too high. Be sure to follow your prescriber’s instructions, which may be different from the dosages above.

Good to know: Even though olmesartan and HCTZ are approved for children when taken separately, Benicar HCT is only approved for adults.

Are there any dosage adjustments for health conditions?

With many medications, you may need to take specific dosages if you have kidney or liver problems, take other medications that could cause interactions, or are older. 

With Benicar HCT, the manufacturer doesn’t recommend any dosage adjustments for kidney or liver problems. But if you're age 65 or older, your prescriber may have you start with a lower dose.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• How they compare: Olmesartan is one of several angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) on the market. Here’s how it compares to valsartan, losartan, and more.

• ARB side effects: Do you feel dizzy after taking olmesartan (Benicar)? Here’s a list of common ARB side effects and how to manage them.

• Thiazide side effects: Hydrochlorothiazide is a common thiazide diuretic. Some people find it helpful, but it has possible side effects to be aware of.

A few medications can interact with Benicar HCT, but your prescriber won't need to adjust your dose if you're taking any of them. Examples include:

• Lithium (Lithobid)

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

• Bile acid sequestrants, such as colesevelam (Welchol), cholestyramine (Prevalite, Locholest), and colestipol (Colestid) 

If you take any of these medications, ask your prescriber or pharmacist how to manage potential interactions with Benicar HCT. You can also share your current medication list to help them identify any possible interactions.

What happens if you miss a dose of Benicar HCT?

If you miss a dose of Benicar HCT, you should take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the regular scheduled dose. Don’t take a double or extra dose to make up for a missed one.

If you miss multiple doses, it’s a good idea to let your healthcare team know. Not taking Benicar HCT as directed can cause your blood pressure to rise. They can give you tips to help you get back on track. For example, you can try medication reminder apps, pill organizers, or alarms on your phone to help you remember to take Benicar HCT.

What should you do if you take too much Benicar HCT?

If you accidentally take an extra dose of Benicar HCT, it probably won’t cause a serious health issue. You may feel dizzy or lightheaded from lower blood pressure. 

But if you take a large amount of Benicar HCT, the symptoms can be more serious. You could have severely low blood pressure (hypotension) and a fast, slow, or abnormal heartbeat. 

Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or your healthcare team if you think you’ve taken too much Benicar HCT. If your symptoms feel life-threatening, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

How to save on Benicar HCT

Benicar HCT is available as a brand-name medication and as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you navigate ways to save on your prescription.

• Save with a lower-cost generic. With a free GoodRx discount, you can over 70% off the average retail price of generic Benicar HCT. At certain pharmacies, you can get generic Benicar HCT for as little as $18.13 per month.

• Save with a manufacturer copay card. If you have commercial insurance, brand-name Benicar HCT is available for as little as $5 per month with a copay card.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in California. She has been a retail pharmacy manager and staff pharmacist for over 7 years and has contributed drug information content to different health companies.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts