This ships from the UK

Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) is an antihypertensive drug which lowers high blood pressure by inhibiting the narrowing of blood vessels. In promoting relaxed, widened blood vessels blood pressure will drop. Benicar may be sufficient on its own, or it may be given along with other blood pressure-reducing medications.

In Canada, the EU and Japan Benicar is sold as Olmetec. It is available as a generic in some areas, but in most places a prescription is required to buy Benicar or Olmetec.

Benicar should not be used while pregnant, while trying to become pregnant, or while breast feeding. The medication may cause severe birth defects or death, particularly if taken during the second or third trimesters.

Getting Started with Benicar

Benicar is given when blood pressure is elevated to such an extent that there is an increased risk of severe, possibly fatal complications, such as heart attack or stroke. Treatment will usually be long-term, lasting several years, even if lifestyle changes are made in the meantime. Eventually lifestyle changes alone may be enough to manage blood pressure, eliminating the need for medication, but the process takes some time.

To get the most from treatment the medication needs to be taken consistently. Doses should be taken at the same time each day if at all possible, and should not be skipped. It takes around 2 weeks for full benefits of treatment to be felt, so any disruption in treatment may cause a 2-week setback.

Benicar comes in tablets, which may be taken with or without food. Tablets may be split if needed to produce smaller doses. Split tablets should not be stored long-term as they may lose effectiveness quicker than intact tablets.

In otherwise healthy patients of 16 years of age and up treatment is fairly straightforward:

• The standard starting dose is 20 mg once per day.
• Dosage may be increased to 40 mg per day after 2 weeks if needed.
• Lower doses of 10 mg may be given when other medications are involved.
• Do not exceed 40 mg per day without explicit doctor instruction.

Keep in mind that the above guidelines may be overridden if other medications are being taken or if other major medical conditions are present.

Benicar tablets can be used in younger patients of 6 to 16 years of age:

• Patients weighing 20 to 35 kg (44 to 77 lbs) are typically started on 10 mg per day. This may be increased to 20 mg per day after 2 weeks if needed.
• Patients weighing greater than 35 kg (77 lbs) may be started on 20 mg per day, increased to 40 mg after 2 weeks if needed.

In patients under 6 years of age the medication is typically administered in a suspension which is prepared by a doctor or pharmacist. It should not be used in patients under 1 year of age.

Warnings & Adverse Effects

Used properly in otherwise healthy patients side effects from Benicar are quite rare. The most commonly reported side effect is dizziness, which may stop occurring as the body adjusts to treatment.

There are some patients at greater risk of experiencing more severe side effects, however, namely those who:

• Have difficulty urinating
• Are allergic to sulfonamide medications
• Have kidney disease

Patients who have kidney problems or diabetes and are taking aliskiren (another antihypertensive medication) should not take Benicar.

As mentioned above, this product should not be used while pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breast feeding.

Benicar may interact with a number of other medications. Of greatest concern are:

• Diuretics
• Other antihypertensive medications
• Medications for heart problems
• Potassium supplements
• Pain medicines, including NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen
• Cholesterol-lowering medications

There may be other medications that interact with Benicar as well; check with a doctor or pharmacist before mixing treatments if unsure of effects.

Benicar HCT (olmesartan, hydrochlorothiazide) is an antihypertensive medication used to lower high blood pressure. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a very common but very serious condition affecting over 1 billion people around the world. It rarely produces symptoms until a major medical event occurs, including kidney damage, heart attack, or stroke.

Hypertension can be managed with medications like Benicar HCT. This product contains two active ingredients, both of which are good at regulating blood pressure on their own:

• Olmesartan medoxomil is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), which works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more freely. This lowers blood pressure and improves oxygen delivery to the heart, in addition to reducing the work the heart has to do to pump blood.
• Hydrochlorothiazide, more commonly called HCTZ or HCT, is a thiazide diuretic that works by blocking salt reuptake in the kidneys, excreting it in urine instead. Salt retains fluid, so by eliminating it overall blood volume is reduced, which lowers blood pressure.

Benicar HCT combines both of these into a single tablet, which most patients find more convenient that taking each medication separately. They can be taken separately, though, with the same benefit, if that is preferred.

Lowering blood pressure prevents damage to blood vessels and the heart, while reducing risk of events like kidney failure, stroke, or heart attack.

Managing Blood Pressure

Benicar HCT is usually prescribed when a patient is already taking either olmesartan or HCT alone but it is not producing significant results. Much less commonly it may be the first high blood pressure medication prescribed, when hypertension is so severe that a single medication is unlikely to be enough. Additional blood pressure treatments may also be given along with Benicar HCT.

Treatment usually consists of:

• Patients taking olmesartan but not HCT should start with 40 mg olmesartan and 12.5 mg HCT.
• Patients taking HCT but not olmesartan should take 20 mg olmesartan and 12.5 mg HCT.
• Patients not taking anything should start with 20 mg olmesartan and 12.5 mg HCT.
• In both cases after several weeks of treatment dosage may be adjusted, usually upward, to a maximum of 40 mg olmesartan and 12.5 mg HCT.

Most patients will register some degree of lower blood pressure in the first few days of use, but it will take several weeks of treatment to see maximum benefit, which is why doctors will usually wait several weeks before adjusting dosage. Exceptions are when unexpected side effects occur, such as blood pressure dropping too low; treatment will be stopped or adjusted immediately in those cases.

Benicar HCT will lower blood pressure more than Benicar or HCT alone. Patients may experience symptoms of low blood pressure, even if it's within healthy ranges. Symptoms include:

• Mild weakness
• Mild fatigue
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Difficulty concentrating

These should stop occurring in the first few weeks of Benicar HCT use; if not, or if they become severe, discuss with a doctor.

Lifestyle changes are usually also recommended; losing weight, regular exercise, regulating salt intake, and so forth. Patients who are able to make and maintain these changes may eventually stop relying on Benicar HCT for good blood pressure levels; others, unable to make lifestyle changes or for whom lifestyle changes have a limited influence, will need to take Benicar HCT indefinitely, possibly for the remainder of life.

Potential Complications

Side effects from Benicar HCT are rare, other than those described above involving lowered blood pressure. If any side effect becomes concerning for any reason don't be afraid to talk to a doctor about it---no matter how trivial it may seem.

Patients who have kidney problems or diabetes and are taking aliskiren (another antihypertensive medication) should not take Benicar HCT.

Benicar HCT may interact with a number of other medications. Of greatest concern are:

• Other diuretics
• Medications for heart problems
• Pain medicines, including NSAIDs
• Cholesterol-lowering medications
• Other antihypertensive medications

There may be other medications that interact with Benicar HCT as well; check with a doctor or pharmacist before mixing treatments if unsure of effects.

Be aware that this medication can cause severe birth defects and even fetal death if taken while pregnant. Effects on nursing infants are unclear.