benicar and hair loss
olmesartan (OLE meh sar tan)
What is the most important information I should know about Benicar?
• Do not take Benicar if you are pregnant or could become pregnant benicar and hair loss. Whenused during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, Benicar can causeinjury and even death to the developing baby benicar and hair loss. Notify your doctor immediatelyif you think you might be pregnant benicar and hair loss.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities benicar and hair loss. Benicar may cause dizziness or drowsiness benicar and hair loss. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities benicar and hair loss. Also use caution when rising from a sittingor lying position benicar and hair loss.
• Use alcohol cautiously benicar and hair loss. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure andincrease drowsiness and dizziness while taking Benicar benicar and hair loss.
What is Benicar?
• Benicar is in a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists benicar and hair loss. Benicar prevents the constriction (narrowing) of blood vessels (veins and arteries) benicar and hair loss.
• Benicar is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) benicar and hair loss.
• Benicar may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide benicar and hair loss.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Benicar?
• Before taking Benicar, tell your doctor if you
· have kidney disease;
· have liver disease;
· are on a salt-restricted diet or have high levels of potassium in yourblood; or
· are taking a potassium supplement (e.g., K-Dur, Klor-Con, others),or a potassium-sparing diuretic such as amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyrenium,Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone) benicar and hair loss.
• You may not be able to take Benicar, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove benicar and hair loss.
• Benicar is in the FDA pregnancy category D benicar and hair loss. This means that it is knownto be harmful to an unborn baby benicar and hair loss. When used during the second and third trimestersof pregnancy, Benicar can cause injury and even death to the developing baby benicar and hair loss. Do not take Benicar if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment benicar and hair loss.
• It is not known whether Benicar passes into breast milk benicar and hair loss. Do not takeBenicar without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby benicar and hair loss.
How should I take Benicar?
• Take Benicar exactly as directed by your doctor benicar and hair loss. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you benicar and hair loss.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water benicar and hair loss.
• Benicar can be taken with or without food benicar and hair loss.
• Do not stop taking Benicar without first talking to your doctor benicar and hair loss. If youstop taking the medication, your condition could become worse benicar and hair loss.
• Store Benicar at room temperature away from moisture and heat benicar and hair loss.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember benicar and hair loss. However, if it is almosttime for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularlyscheduled dose benicar and hair loss. Do not take a double dose of this medication benicar and hair loss.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention benicar and hair loss.
• Symptoms of an Benicar overdose are not well known, but might includedizziness, weakness, fainting, fatigue, and chest pain benicar and hair loss.
What should I avoid while taking Benicar?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities benicar and hair loss. Benicar may cause dizziness or drowsiness benicar and hair loss. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities benicar and hair loss. Also use caution when rising from a sittingor lying position benicar and hair loss.
• Use alcohol cautiously benicar and hair loss. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure andincrease drowsiness and dizziness while taking Benicar benicar and hair loss.
• Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements without firsttalking to your doctor benicar and hair loss. Benicar can affect potassium levels in the body benicar and hair loss.
What are the possible side effects of Benicar?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingBenicar and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
· little or no urine benicar and hair loss.
• Other side effects are less serious and may be more likely to occur benicar and hair loss. Continue to take Benicar and talk to your doctor if you experience
· diarrhea or upset stomach;
· dizziness;
· headache;
· insomnia; or
· congestion or cough (very unlikely) benicar and hair loss.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur benicar and hair loss. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome benicar and hair loss.
What other drugs will affect Benicar?
• Before taking Benicar, tell your doctor if you
· take a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others;
· take a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor),spironolactone (Aldactone), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide); or
· use a salt substitute benicar and hair loss.
• Benicar can affect potassium levels in the body benicar and hair loss. You may not be ableto take Benicar, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoringif you are taking any of the products listed above benicar and hair loss.
• Tell your doctor about any other medicines you take to treat high bloodpressure or other heart conditions benicar and hair loss. Benicar may cause very low blood pressureif it is taken with other heart medications benicar and hair loss.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Benicar oraffect your condition benicar and hair loss. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products benicar and hair loss.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Benicar written forhealth professionals that you may read benicar and hair loss.
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