Benicar HCT (olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide) is a combination of an angiotensin II receptor antagonists and hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). Olmesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow. Hydrochlorothiazide helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention. Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan is a combination medicine that is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Manufacturer Information
We currently have the brand Olmetec Plus from India and Turkey manufactured by Daiichi Sankyo (licensed by Pfizer) and the brand from Canada manufactured by Schering Plough. The generic comes from India, also is known as Olmecip-H or Olmy-H. Benicar HCT is available in tablet form and strengths of: 20 mg/12.5 mg, 20 mg/25 mg, and 45 mg/12.5 mg.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
• Chest pain, feeling short of breath;
• Pain in the eye, vision problems;
• High potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling);
• Jaundice, fever;
• Little or no urinating;
• Low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination)
Less serious side effects may include:
• Dry cough;
• Dizziness, spinning sensation;
• Headache;
• Joint pain;
• Stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea
Do not take Benicar HCT if you are allergic to Olmesartan Hydrochlorothiazide or ACE inhibitors; or any of the ingredients in Benicar HCT medication. Before taking Benicar HCT, tell your doctor if you have had any medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, dehydrated, high blood levels of potassium, kidney or liver disease. Benicar HCT can cause injury or even death to a developing fetus when used during pregnancy. Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect that you are pregnant or if you are planning to become pregnant. There may be an interaction between Benicar HCT and other medications such as aliskiren, lithium, drugs that may increase the level of potassium in the blood (such as birth control pills containing drospirenone).