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