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This item requires a prescription from your doctor.

General Information on Benicar HCT

Benicar HCT is a combination medication that belongs to the class of antihypertensive drugs. Olmesartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker, and Hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic, are the two main constituents of this medication, which is used to treat high blood pressure Olmesartan works by preventing the blood vessels from narrowing, thereby maintaining a consistent blood flow. Hydrochlorothiazide works by preventing the body from accumulating extra salt. This combined effect enables Benicar HCT to maintain blood pressure within normal limits.

Side Effects for Benicar HCT

Muscle cramps, dry mouth, nausea, tiredness, weakness, irregular heartbeat, and increased thirst are some of the common side effects experienced by patients taking Benicar HCT. Many other common side effects of the medication include chest pain, dizziness, cough, chills, fever, sneezing, a sore throat, runny or congested nose, ear congestion, and head congestion. Join pain, swelling of the joints, face, legs, and feet, and stomach pain are the less commonly known side effects of this antihypertensive drug. Don’t panic if any of these symptoms surface, and contact your doctor for any further action.

Precautions

Benicar HCT is known to cause birth defects in unborn babies. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding a baby, you must strictly follow the advice of your doctor. A history of conditions such as asthma, allergies, liver and kidney disorders, diabetes, and heart disease must be discussed with the doctor before you buy Benicar HCT. Patients suffering from high cholesterol or low potassium levels in the blood should also take precautions by keeping their doctor informed. Gout, lupus, hyperuricemia, and sensitivity toward sulfa drugs (if any) must be reported as well. The use of Benicar HCT can make you sensitive to sunlight, so it is better to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. Dizziness may be experienced while taking the medication, so avoid undertaking tasks that call for alertness immediately after taking this drug.

Benicar HCT Dosage

Benicar HCT is available in three different combinations. These include Olmesartan 20 mg and Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg, Olmesartan 40 mg and Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg, and Olmesartan 40 mg and Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg. The dosage must be decided by your doctor. A missed dose must be taken only if sufficient time is available for the next dose. An overdose may cause severe side effects, and if this occurs, you must immediately contact your doctor.

Interactions

There is a long list of medications that may interact with Benicar HCT. In case you are already taking or planning to take any prescribed or non-prescribed drugs in the future, you must report the same to your doctor. Steroids, lithium drugs, diabetes medications, barbiturates, diuretics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are among the medications that must be taken with Benicar HCT only if allowed by your doctor. Other such medications include cholestyramine, narcotic medications, muscle relaxants, and any other antihypertensive medications. You must also cut down on alcohol consumption as alcohol may worsen the side effects of the medication.