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In this Article

• What is olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Benicar HCT)?
• What are the possible side effects of olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Benicar HCT)?
• What is the most important information I should know about olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Benicar HCT)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Benicar HCT)?
• How should I take olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Benicar HCT)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Benicar HCT)?
• What happens if I overdose (Benicar HCT)?
• What should I avoid while taking olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Benicar HCT)?
• What other drugs will affect olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Benicar HCT)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Benicar HCT)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to olmesartan or hydrochlorothiazide (Carozide, Diaqua, Ezide HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide, and others), or if you are unable to urinate.

Before using olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• congestive heart failure;
• low or high levels of potassium in your blood;
• asthma or allergies;
• high cholesterol or triglyceride levels;
• gout;
• lupus;
• diabetes; or
• an allergy to sulfa drugs.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide may cause injury and even death to the unborn baby if you take it during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Do not use olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Benicar HCT)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Take this medication with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.

Hydrochlorothiazide can interfere with the results of a thyroid test. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medication.

It may take up to 4 weeks for this medication to control your blood pressure. Keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.