Olmesartan medoxomil (Benicar) is a medication that lowers blood pressure in adults and children ages 6 years and older. It's an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) and works mainly by widening and relaxing your blood vessels to lower pressure. This medication is taken by mouth, typically once per day. People don't usually experience much side effects from olmesartan (Benicar), though some people have reported mild and temporary dizziness.
High blood pressure in adults and children ages 6 years and older
Olmesartan (Benicar) is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Angiotensin II is a hormone that acts on multiple areas in the body. When it acts on the blood vessels, the blood vessels narrow, which raises blood pressure.
Olmesartan (Benicar) blocks angiotensin II in the blood vessels. In doing so, this medication tells the blood vessels to relax, which helps to lower blood pressure.
Source:Â DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Blood in the urine
body aches or pain
chills
cough or cough producing mucus
difficulty with breathing
ear congestion
headache
loss of voice
runny or stuffy nose
tightness in the chest
unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
Bladder pain
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
cloudy urine
difficult, burning, or painful urination
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
frequent urge to urinate
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
lower back, side, or stomach pain
swelling of the feet or lower legs
Incidence not known
Confusion
dark-colored urine
diarrhea (severe) with weight loss
dizziness
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
muscle cramps or spasms
muscle pain or stiffness
nausea or vomiting
weakness or heaviness of the legs
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Blurred vision
chest pain or discomfort
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness
sweating
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Back pain
flushed, dry skin
fruit-like breath odor
general feeling of discomfort or illness
increased hunger
increased thirst
increased urination
loss of appetite
muscle aches
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
shivering
tender, swollen glands in the neck
trouble sleeping
trouble swallowing
unexplained weight loss
Rare
Acid or sour stomach
belching
difficulty with moving
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
indigestion
rapid weight gain
rash
sensation of spinning
tingling of the hands or feet
unusual weight gain or loss
Incidence not known
Hair loss or thinning of the hair
lack or loss of strength
redness of the skin
welts
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
A first-choice blood pressure medication
Can be taken by children as young as 6 years old
Taken once per day
Available as a lower-cost generic
Takes about 2 weeks to see full benefits of olmesartan (Benicar)
Not a good option for certain people with kidney problems
Not safe to use if you're pregnant or breastfeeding
You might feel dizzy when you start taking olmesartan (Benicar), and when the dose is raised. This should get better over time as you continue taking the medication and your body gets used to your new blood pressure.
Make sure to mark your calendar with your appointments to see your provider and to get any blood work done when you take olmesartan (Benicar). Your provider might order tests (e.g., potassium level, kidney function, blood pressure) during treatment and might change your dose of olmesartan (Benicar) based on your lab results.
Take olmesartan (Benicar) exactly as prescribed. Don't change your dose or suddenly stop taking the medication without talking to your provider first. Doing so can cause your blood pressure to rise quickly. If you want to stop olmesartan (Benicar), ask your provider if it's safe to do so. You might need to lower your dose slowly over time before you can completely stop taking it.
Let your provider know if you experience severe diarrhea that doesn't seem to get better over time. This can be a rare, but serious, side effect of olmesartan (Benicar). It's possible to develop stomach problems even months or years after starting olmesartan (Benicar). And if left untreated, this can lead to weight loss and cause electrolyte levels to be out of balance. If you experience severe diarrhea, your provider might need to switch you to a different medication.
Olmesartan (Benicar) can raise your potassium levels, which can be serious. Contact your provider if you experience nausea, vomiting, or muscle weakness because these might be signs of high potassium levels.
It's recommended you measure and record your blood pressure at home and bring a record to your medical appointments. This will help your provider see how well the medication is working for you and guide any dose changes.
Make sure to have a healthy diet, including a low-salt diet, while taking olmesartan (Benicar) to help lower your blood pressure. Depending on your risk factors and other medical problems, it's possible you might be able to stop taking olmesartan (Benicar) if your blood pressure gets within goal.
Don't use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), while taking olmesartan (Benicar) unless your provider specifically said it was safe for you to do so. This is because taking NSAIDs and olmesartan (Benicar) together can cause kidney problems.
Olmesartan (Benicar) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Olmesartan (Benicar) shouldn't be used in pregnant females because it can cause severe harm and even death to unborn babies. If you find out that you're pregnant while taking olmesartan (Benicar), stop and let your provider know right away. If you're pregnant before starting olmesartan (Benicar) or thinking of becoming pregnant during treatment, discuss with your provider about safer options to treat your blood pressure.
Risk factors: Not enough fluid in your body (dehydration) | Having diarrhea or vomiting for a long time | Low salt levels in your body | Taking higher doses of diuretic mediations
Olmesartan (Benicar) is taken to lower blood pressure. But sometimes, having a lower blood pressure can be dangerous for certain groups of people, especially those who are dehydrated or those who've lost a lot of body fluids through diarrhea, vomiting, or taking water-pills.
Make sure to stay well-hydrated while taking olmesartan (Benicar). If your blood pressure drops too much and you feel dizzy, make sure to sit down slowly while holding onto something and let your provider know.
Risk factors: Kidney problems | Heart failure | Taking medications that affect your kidneys | Not enough fluid in your body
In some people, olmesartan (Benicar) can cause the kidneys to not work as well. The risk is higher if you have certain types of kidney problems, such as renal artery stenosis or very severe heart failure, or if you're taking other medications that can affect your kidneys. Your provider might order blood tests to make sure your kidneys are healthy and working properly. Let your provider know if you're urinating less often than usual or notice any swelling, as these could be signs that your kidneys aren't working as well.
Risk factors: Kidney problems | Heart failure | Taking other medications that raise potassium | Use of potassium-containing salt substitutes
Olmesartan (Benicar) can raise the amount of potassium in your body. In some people, this can lead to certain symptoms, such as a tingling sensation, nausea, or muscle weakness. The risk is higher if you're taking other medications that can raise your potassium, or if you have certain medical conditions. Your provider might order blood tests to monitor your potassium on a regular basis.
Rarely, people who take olmesartan (Benicar) experience serious diarrhea (sprue-like enteropathy). Sometimes, this happens months to years after starting the medication. In severe cases, the diarrhea can lead to weight loss, stomach pain, tiredness, nausea, and vomiting. If you experience severe diarrhea that doesn't seem to get better after a few day, get medical help right away. Make sure to stay hydrated with fluids and electrolytes.
Adults
The typical starting dose is 20 mg by mouth once daily. Your provider might raise your dose after 2 weeks. The maximum recommended dose is 40 mg daily.
Children (6 years and older)
Body weight 44-76 pounds: The typical starting dose is 10 mg by mouth once daily. Your provider might raise your dose after 2 weeks. The maximum recommended dose is 20 mg daily.
Body weight 77 pounds and over: The typical starting dose is 20 mg by mouth once daily. Your provider might raise your dose after 2 weeks. The maximum recommended dose is 40 mg daily.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Taking at the same time as aliskiren (Tekturna) in people with diabetes
High blood pressure in adults and children ages 6 years and older
High blood pressure in adults and children
Lower the risk of worsening heart failure in adults
High blood pressure in adults and children
Lower the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in adults
Lower the risk of death after a heart attack in adults
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