Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Benicar.
Chemical Name: OLMESARTAN (ole-me-SAR-tan)
Benicar 20mg is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to treat high blood pressure. It may also be used to other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: Benicar 20mg can cause injury or death to the fetus if taken after the third month of pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Benicar 20mg. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are also taking diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone, triamterene), potassium supplements, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, celecoxib, ibuprofen, indomethacin). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure), blood vessel problems, blood flow problems, liver or kidney problems, gallbladder problems, diabetes; stroke; recent heart attack; allergies; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have a history of angioedema (eg, swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; hoarseness), including angioedema caused by treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (eg, lisinopril). Tell your doctor if you are dehydrated or have low blood volume; have electrolyte problems (eg, high blood potassium levels, low blood sodium levels) or are on a low-salt (sodium) diet; are on dialysis; or are scheduled to have major surgery. Tell your doctor if you are able to become pregnant. USE OF BENICAR 20mg IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you are in your second or third trimester of pregnancy. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking Benicar 20mg.
Follow the directions for using Benicar 20mg provided by your doctor. Benicar 20mg may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. Take Benicar 20mg regularly to receive the most benefit from it. Taking Benicar 20mg at the same time each day will help you remember to take it. STORE BENICAR 20mg at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. CONTINUE TO TAKE BENICAR 20mg even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF BENICAR 20mg, take it as soon as possible. If you are only taking one dose a day and do not remember your missed dose until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE BENICAR 20mg if you have had an allergic reaction to it or if you are allergic to any ingredient in this product. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including blood pressure, blood electrolyte levels, and heart, kidney, or liver function may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Benicar 20mg. Benicar 20mg may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to Benicar 20mg. Using Benicar 20mg alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. BENICAR 20mg MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS, lightheadedness, or fainting. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness. BENICAR 20mg MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS SIDE EFFECT CALLED ANGIOEDEMA. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness. DEHYDRATION, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur. BENICAR 20mg MAY NOT WORK as well in black patients. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel normal. Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Before using any potassium supplements or salt substitutes, consult your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: Benicar 20mg may cause birth defects or fetal death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. Women of child-bearing age should discuss the risks and benefits of using Benicar 20mg with their doctor. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS DRUG IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using Benicar 20mg, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
A SIDE EFFECT that may occur while taking Benicar 20mg is dizziness. If it continues or is bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience joint pain, stiffness, or swelling. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience changes in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; swelling of your hands, legs, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness; muscle cramps, pain, or weakness; flu-like symptoms (eg, headache, tiredness, muscle ache, or fever); or symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, fainting, lightheadedness, severe dizziness). An allergic reaction to Benicar 20mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Benicar
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include unusual dizziness or fainting, and rapid or unusually slow pulse.
DO NOT SHARE BENICAR 20mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE BENICAR 20mg for other health conditions. KEEP BENICAR 20mg out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING BENICAR 20mg FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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