Benicar (olmesartan) A Medical Guide to Benicar - Uses, & Benicar Side Effects
Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) is prescription drug from class of drugs called: angiotensin II receptor antagonists. This medication is used to treat high blood pressure, and it works by keeping blood vessel from narrowing, which in turn lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
Uses:
- Treatment of High Blood Pressure
Other uses of olmesartan:
- No other known uses for this medication except for Hypertension.
Benicar Side Effects:
- Dizziness
- High levels of Uric Acid
- Upper Respiratory Tract Infection like: sore throat, cough;
- Joint pain
- Headache
- Back pain
- Sweating
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
More serious Side Effects:
- Muscle Cramps
- Difficulty urinating
- Slow heart rate
- Fast heart rate
- Weak pulse
- Dark urine
- Swelling of the feet or hand
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Tingly sensation
- None stop dry cough
Should the patient have adverse effects like difficulty in breathing or is going through an anaphylactic attack, immediately discontinue this medication and seek emergency medical assistance.
Withdrawals:
There are no known dependency problems with this medication since it is prescribed with the main thought of being used everyday for lowering the levels of blood pressure. It does not result to weight loss so it would not be used as a supplement to aid it.
Dosage of Benicar:
- A tablet of 20mg is to be taken 1x a day. This is the recommended dosage for adults who are found to have Hypertension.
- One tablet of 10mg taken 1x a day is the recommended dosage for children who are eight years of age onwards but they should weight around 44 to 77 lbs.
- One tablet of the 20mg should be taken 1x a day by children who are eight years of age and above that have a weight of 77 lbs. or heavier.
- It is alright that the medication be taken with an empty stomach. It would not cause any intestinal upsets.
- The drug should be taken within the specified time only.
Since children have difficulty in swallowing tablets and capsules. With this in mind, a liquid form is available for them.
What to avoid if you are taking Benicar:
- Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Warnings:
Expecting mothers should not use this medicine without speaking with their doctors first. This drug can be very harmful to an unborn baby; it may cause serious injury or death to an unborn child. Talk to your doctor right away should you become pregnant while taking this drug.
Benicar is FDA pregnancy category D rated. It is not safe for the unborn, and may pass into the breast milk to harm your nursing infant. So Speak with your doctor if you are breast feeding.
Curing Hypertensive in children should be aided with the right kind of food and good exercise program.