benicar good bad
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 good bad. Whenused during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, Benicar can causeinjury and even death to the developing baby benicar good bad. Notify your doctor immediatelyif you think you might be pregnant benicar good bad.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities benicar good bad. Benicar may cause dizziness or drowsiness benicar good bad. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities benicar good bad. Also use caution when rising from a sittingor lying position benicar good bad.
• Use alcohol cautiously benicar good bad. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure andincrease drowsiness and dizziness while taking Benicar benicar good bad.
What is Benicar?
• Benicar is in a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists benicar good bad. Benicar prevents the constriction (narrowing) of blood vessels (veins and arteries) benicar good bad.
• Benicar is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) benicar good bad.
• Benicar may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide benicar good bad.
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 good bad.
• 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 good bad.
• Benicar is in the FDA pregnancy category D benicar good bad. This means that it is knownto be harmful to an unborn baby benicar good bad. When used during the second and third trimestersof pregnancy, Benicar can cause injury and even death to the developing baby benicar good bad. Do not take Benicar if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment benicar good bad.
• It is not known whether Benicar passes into breast milk benicar good bad. Do not takeBenicar without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby benicar good bad.
How should I take Benicar?
• Take Benicar exactly as directed by your doctor benicar good bad. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you benicar good bad.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water benicar good bad.
• Benicar can be taken with or without food benicar good bad.
• Do not stop taking Benicar without first talking to your doctor benicar good bad. If youstop taking the medication, your condition could become worse benicar good bad.
• Store Benicar at room temperature away from moisture and heat benicar good bad.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember benicar good bad. However, if it is almosttime for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularlyscheduled dose benicar good bad. Do not take a double dose of this medication benicar good bad.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention benicar good bad.
• Symptoms of an Benicar overdose are not well known, but might includedizziness, weakness, fainting, fatigue, and chest pain benicar good bad.
What should I avoid while taking Benicar?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities benicar good bad. Benicar may cause dizziness or drowsiness benicar good bad. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities benicar good bad. Also use caution when rising from a sittingor lying position benicar good bad.
• Use alcohol cautiously benicar good bad. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure andincrease drowsiness and dizziness while taking Benicar benicar good bad.
• Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements without firsttalking to your doctor benicar good bad. Benicar can affect potassium levels in the body benicar good bad.
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 good bad.
• Other side effects are less serious and may be more likely to occur benicar good bad. 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 good bad.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur benicar good bad. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome benicar good bad.
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 good bad.
• Benicar can affect potassium levels in the body benicar good bad. 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 good bad.
• Tell your doctor about any other medicines you take to treat high bloodpressure or other heart conditions benicar good bad. Benicar may cause very low blood pressureif it is taken with other heart medications benicar good bad.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Benicar oraffect your condition benicar good bad. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products benicar good bad.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Benicar written forhealth professionals that you may read benicar good bad.
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