Brand Name

Benicar Hct {Daiichi Sankyo}

Generic Name: Olmesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide, pronounced OL-me-SAR-tan and HYE-droe-KLOR-oh-THYE-a-zide

What is Benicar Hct?

Benicar Hct is a medication to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure. You may be prescribed Benicar Hct to help keep your blood vessels from narrowing.

Benicar Hct may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Benicar Hct

Benicar Hct is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, which means that it helps your blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers your blood pressure and improves your blood flow. You may be prescribed Benicar Hct alongside other blood pressure medications.

Hydrochlorothiazide, which is part of Benicar Hct , is a thiazide diuretic, or water pill, that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Benicar Hct is in FDA pregnancy category D. You should not use Benicar Hct if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Benicar Hct you should stop taking this medication and contact your doctor right away. Benicar Hct may cause injury or death to an unborn baby if taken during your second or third trimester. You should be sure to use effective birth control while taking Benicar Hct.

While you are taking Benicar Hct you should not drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure so you may experience an increase in certain side effects of Benicar Hct if you drink while taking this medication.

Unless your doctor has advised you to do so, you should not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Benicar Hct.

Continue to use Benicar Hct as your doctor has directed, and be sure to get your blood pressure checked regularly.

Before You Take Benicar Hct

If you are allergic to Olmesartan, Hydrochlorothiazide or a sulfonamide medicine (sulfamethoxazole) you should not take Benicar Hct.

If you are taking dofetilide or ketanserin you should not take Benicar Hct.

If you are being treated with aliskiren and you have either diabetes or moderate to severe kidney problems you should not take Benicar Hct.

If you cannot urinate you should not take Benicar Hct.

You should inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or congestive heart failure before taking Benicar Hct.

If you suffer from dehydration you should tell your doctor before starting treatment with Benicar Hct.

Let your doctor know if you drink 2 or more alcoholic beverages daily. Alcohol can increase the risk of serious side effects if you are taking Benicar Hct.

Until you know how you will react to Benicar Hct you should avoid getting up too fast from a lying or sitting position, as you may experience dizziness. Be sure to get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall, especially when you first begin your treatment with Benicar Hct.

You need to be aware that certain conditions can cause low blood pressure, and make the effects of Benicar Hct more pronounced for you. Tell your doctor right away if you experience diarrhea, heart disease, intense sweating, vomiting, are on dialysis, or if you are on a low salt diet or taking diuretics (water pills).

Benicar Hct Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• celecoxib (Celebrex)
• cholestyramine or colestipol
• diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze)
• diuretics or water pills
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic)
• meloxicam (Mobic)
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Benicar Hct. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Benicar Hct

You should take Benicar Hct exactly as directed by your doctor. It is important that you do not take Benicar Hct in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

Benicar Hct should be taken at the same time every day.

Benicar Hct can be taken with or without food.

You may need to take Benicar Hct on a long-term basis for the treatment of high blood pressure. It is important that you follow up with your doctor on a regular basis to be sure that Benicar Hct is helping your condition and not causing you to have any adverse or harmful effects.

Benicar Hct should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Benicar Hct you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose is less than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

Benicar Hct Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Benicar Hct and seek emergency medical help immediately.

• allergic reaction including hives, swelling in your face ,lips, throat or tongue and trouble breathing
• chest pain
• difficulty breathing
• faint feeling
• fast heart rate
• swelling in your hands and feet
• urinary abnormalities, such as urinating less often or not at all

Less serious side effects of Benicar Hct may include:

• back pain
• blurred vision
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• exhaustion
• itching or rash
• mild muscle or joint pain
• mild nausea
• weakness

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Benicar Hct. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Benicar Hct Description and Dosing

Benicar Hct is available as film coated tablets in the following strengths:

20 mg/12.5 mg tablets are a reddish-yellow color, circular shaped and have “Sankyo” debossed on one side and “C22” on the other side.

40 mg/12.5 mg tablets are a reddish-yellow color, oval shaped, and have “Sankyo” debossed on one side and “C23” on the other side.

40 mg/25 mg tablets are pink, oval and have “Sankyo” debossed on one side and “C25” on the other side.

Consult your doctor for specific dosing pertaining to you. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Benicar Hct you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Benicar Hct

Benicar Hct contains the active ingredients olmesartan medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide. Inactive ingredients include hydroxypropylcellulose, hypromellose, lactose, low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, red iron oxide, talc, titanium dioxide and yellow iron oxide.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

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