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Benicar (Generic Olmesartan)

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WARNING

If you are pregnant or want to become pregnant, let your doctor know. If you are pregnant, avoid using olmesartan. If you become pregnant while using olmesartan, notify your doctor right away and stop taking the medication. When taken in the final six months of pregnancy, olmesartan may result in the fetus’s death or severe damage.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Olmesartan is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children older than six years of age, either alone or in conjunction with other drugs. Olmesartan belongs to the group of drugs known as angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It functions by preventing the tightening of blood arteries caused by several natural chemicals, allowing blood to flow more freely and the heart to pump more effectively.

High blood pressure is a common illness that, if left untreated, can harm the kidneys, brain, heart, blood vessels, and other organs. Heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, a stroke, renal failure, eyesight loss, and other issues may result from damage to these organs. Making lifestyle modifications will help you control your blood pressure in addition to taking medication. These adjustments include quitting smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, eating a diet low in fat and salt, keeping a healthy weight, and exercising for at least 30 minutes most days.

How should this medicine be used?

Olmesartan is available as a tablet to be swallowed. Typically, it is taken once day, with or without food. Olmesartan should be taken at roughly the same time each day to help you remember to take it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Olmesartan must be taken exactly as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Speak to your physician or pharmacist if your kid is unable to swallow a tablet. Your youngster can receive this medication in a liquid version thanks to the pharmacist.

After two weeks, your doctor may raise the dosage of olmesartan that they have prescribed for you.

Olmesartan does not treat high blood pressure; it only manages it. Although your blood pressure may drop during the first week of treatment, it could take up to two weeks before you see all of olmesartan’s advantages. Olmesartan should still be used even if you feel OK. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking olmesartan.

Other uses for this medicine

Olmesartan is also occasionally used to treat diabetic nephropathy and heart failure (a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the rest of the body) (kidney disease in people with diabetes and high blood pressure). Discuss the potential dangers of using this medicine for your illness with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking olmesartan,

  • If you have an allergy to olmesartan, any other medications, or any of the substances in olmesartan tablets, inform your doctor and pharmacist right away. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
  • If you are taking aliskiren and have diabetes (high blood sugar), let your doctor know (Tekturna, in Amturnide, Tekamlo, Tekturna HCT, Valturna). If you have diabetes and are also on aliskiren, your doctor will likely advise against using olmesartan.
  • Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Incorporate any of the following: an ACE inhibitor, such as captopril, benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), or benazepril (Capoten, in Capozide), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril, lisinopril (in Prinzide), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic, in Quinaretic), ramipril (Altace), trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka), colesevelam (Welchol), diure Your doctor might need to adjust the dosage of your medication or keep a close eye out for any negative side effects.
  • If you have kidney or liver problems, or if you have previously had heart failure, let your doctor know.
  • Inform your doctor if you are nursing a baby.
  • You should be aware that olmesartan may result in lightheadedness, fainting, and dizziness if you stand up suddenly from a reclining posture. When you initially start taking olmesartan, this happens more frequently. Get out of bed gradually and rest your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up to help prevent this issue.
  • You should be aware that a reduction in blood pressure might result from diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, and excessive perspiration, which can make you feel faint and dizzy. If you have any of these issues or if any emerge while you are receiving treatment, let your doctor know.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Without consulting your doctor, avoid using potassium-containing salt alternatives. If your doctor advises a low-salt or low-sodium diet, strictly follow the instructions.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Olmesartan could have negative effects.

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you encounter any of these signs or any of the ones in the “SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS” section:

  • Edoema of the hands, feet, ankles, lower legs, cheeks, neck, tongue, lips, and eyes
  • Really bad diarrhoea
  • Slim down
  • Breathing or swallowing challenges
  • Hoarseness

Olmesartan may have additional negative effects. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of emergency/overdose

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

  • Fainting
  • Dizziness
  • Swift or gradual heartbeat

What other information should I know?

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. Your reaction to olmesartan should be monitored by routine blood pressure checks.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

  • Benicar®
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