Common questions

What does Benicar treat?

What does Benicar treat?

This drug is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. This product contains two medications: olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide.

What is the therapeutic effect of hydrochlorothiazide?

Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to a class of drugs known as diuretics/”water pills.” It works by causing you to make more urine. This helps your body get rid of extra salt and water. This medication also reduces extra fluid in the body (edema) caused by conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease.

What is the effect of olmesartan?

Olmesartan blocks the action of angiotensin II, a chemical in your body that causes your blood vessels to tighten and narrow. This drug helps to relax and widen your blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure.

How does olmesartan work in the body?

How does olmesartan work? Olmesartan is a type of blood pressure-lowering medicine called an angiotensin receptor blocker. Like other angiotensin receptor blockers, olmesartan relaxes and widens your blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.

Is Benicar a diuretic?

Benicar HCT (olmesartan / hydrochlorothiazide) contains an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) and a diuretic (water pill).

How does Benicar work?

Benicar (olmesartan) is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). It lowers blood pressure by blocking a chemical that tightens the blood vessels. When this chemical is blocked, blood vessels relax, lowering blood pressure.

What is the difference between hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone?

Chlorthalidone produces slightly greater reductions in blood pressure compared with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), but it is associated with greater declines in serum potassium levels.

Which drug is used as diuretic?

Examples of loop diuretics include: Bumetanide (Bumex) Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin) Furosemide (Lasix)

Does olmesartan have a diuretic in it?

Does olmesartan make you urinate more?

How to use Olmesartan-Hydrochlorothiazide. Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily with or without food. If this medication causes you to urinate more frequently, it is best to take it at least 4 hours before your bedtime to prevent having to get up to urinate.

Does Benicar make you urinate more?

Get medical help right away if you notice any swelling, especially around your face or neck. Benicar HCT (olmesartan / hydrochlorothiazide) may cause you to pee more often.

Does Benicar raise potassium levels?

Benicar and Cozaar share similar side effects to other ARBs. Here are some of the most common: High potassium – ARBs drugs can all cause your potassium blood levels to increase, which can lead to symptoms like weakness, trouble breathing, and heart palpitations.

Are there any side effects to taking Benicar?

Benicar side effects. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Benicar: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have: a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

What kind of blood pressure medication is Benicar?

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD Last updated on Mar 4, 2019. Benicar (olmesartan) is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Olmesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

How does olmesartan work with Benicar HCT?

Uses For Benicar HCT. As a result, olmesartan relaxes the blood vessels. This lowers blood pressure and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). It reduces the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine, which helps lower the blood pressure.

When to increase the dose of Benicar monotherapy?

20 mg PO once daily is the recommended starting dose for monotherapy in patients who are not volume-depleted. Increase the dose to 40 mg PO once daily if further blood pressure reduction is needed after 2 weeks of therapy. For patients who may be volume depleted, initiate therapy under close medical supervision and consider a lower starting dose.

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Ruth Doyle