Benicar – What It Is, How To Use It And Harmful Use!

Benicar – What It Is, How To Use It And Harmful Use . Also, Benicar is the brand name of the prescription drug olmesartan, used in the treatment of hypertension . The drug belongs to a class of drugs known as angiotensin II receptor antagonists, which work by relaxing blood vessels. This drug is also sometimes used to treat heart failure and kidney disease.

What is Benicar?

Benicar (olmesartan) is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Olmesartan prevents blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
Benicar is used to treat high blood pressure ( hypertension ) in adults and children who are at least 6 years old. It is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications . This Medication may also be used for purposes not mentioned in this medication guide.

Important information:

Do not use  Benicar  if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor immediately. Olmesartan can cause injury or death to an unborn baby if you take the drug during the second or third trimester. If you have  diabetes , do not use olmesartan together with any medicine that contains aliskiren.

Precautions Before Taking This Medicine:

• You should not take  Benicar  if you are allergic to olmesartan;
• If you have  diabetes , do not use  Benicar  together with any medicine containing aliskiren.;
• You may also need to avoid taking Benicar  with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

To make sure Benicar  is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• Liver disease;
• Congestive heart failure;
• If you’re dehydrated.

Do not use Benicar  if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor immediately. Olmesartan can cause injury or death to an unborn baby if taken during the second or third trimester. In addition, it is not known whether olmesartan passes into breast milk or whether it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while taking Benicar .

How Should I Take Benicar?

Take Benicar  exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all instructions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to ensure you get the best results. Do not take this medication in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. You can take Benicar  with or without food. Your blood pressure will need to be checked frequently.

You may have very low blood pressure while taking this medication. Call your doctor if you’re experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you’re sweating more than usual.
Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Benicar Dosage:

Adult dose for hypertension:
20 mg orally once daily; you can increase the dose to 40 mg in two weeks if further blood pressure reduction is needed .
Maximum dose: 40 mg orally once daily

Pediatric Dose for Hypertension:
6 to 16 years:
20 to less than 35 kg: 10 mg orally once daily; you can increase the dose to 20 mg in two weeks if EXTRA blood pressure lowering is required .
35 kg or more: 20 mg orally once daily may increase the dose to 40 mg in two weeks if further blood pressure reduction is required .

What Happens if I Miss a Dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

What Happens If You Overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call emergency services.

What Should I Avoid While Taking Benicar?

Drinking alcohol may increase some side effects of Benicar . Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while taking Benicar unless your doctor tells you to. Also, avoid getting up too quickly when sitting or lying down, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and hold on tight to avoid falling.

Benicar side effects:

Seek emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Benicar :

• urticaria ;
• difficulty breathing;
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• feeling dizzy , as if you were going to faint;
• little or no urination;
• severe diarrhea or weight loss;
• chest pain, fast heart rate;
• swelling in the hands or feet;
• nausea, slow or unusual heart rate, weakness, loss of movement.

The most common side effects of Benicar  can be dizziness .

What Other Medications Can Affect Benicar?

Tell your doctor about all of your medications you are taking and anyone you have started or stopped using, especially:

• colesevelam
• lithium,
•  ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin),
• naproxen (Aleve),
• celecoxibe,
• diclofenac,
• indomethacin,
• meloxicam.

This list is not complete. Therefore, other drugs may interact with olmesartan, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. Also, not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Other information:

Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children. Also, never share your medications with others and only use the medication for the prescribed indication. Therefore, always consult your physician to ensure that the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.