Benicar Side Effects
Summary
Among the most common side effects reported by patients using Benicar (olmesartan) are back or joint pain, skin rashes and itching, coughing, weight gain, constipation, headaches, diarrhea and bouts of dizziness. While these side effects may not be serious, they need to be reported to your doctor if they persist or get worse.
Common Benicar Side Effects
The most commonly reported side effects of using Benicar include:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Itching
- Skin rashes
- Abdominal pain
- Back or joint pain
- General weakness
- Increased sweating
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
While these side effects may not be serious or life-threatening, they should be reported to your doctor if they persist or worsen while using Benicar.
Serious Benicar Side Effects
As with any medication, it is possible for patients to experience an allergic reaction when using Benicar. If any of the following symptoms are experienced when using it, it is important to seek immediate medical assistance:
- Painful or less frequent urination
- Chest pain
- Abnormal heart rate
- Swelling of hands or feet
- Fever
- Hives
- Breathing difficulty
- Swelling of the face, tongue, lips, neck or throat
Although many other side effects have been reported by patients who have used Benicar, not all of them are indicative of an allergic reaction to the medication. However, if the patient experiences any of the following side effects, they need to advise their doctor immediately:
- Bronchitis
- Vertigo
- Renal failure
- Swelling of hands, feet or ankles
- Unexplained Weight gain
- Flu-like symptoms
- Fainting spells
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Hair loss
- High cholesterol
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
Benicar Use in Children
Benicar is not recommended for children under the age of six years and the dosage should be carefully administered and monitored in children over the age of six. The most common side effect experienced by children who make use of Benicar is dizziness, so the child should be monitored to ensure that this doesn’t affect their everyday life.
If the symptom persists, it is best to contact your doctor so that alternative medications can be discussed and explored. Under no circumstances should Benicar be administered to children less than one year of age, as it may lead to abnormal or impaired kidney development.
Preexisting Conditions
Patients who are allergic to any of the ingredients in Benicar should not make use of this medication. Patients who suffer from Renal Artery Stenosis, Type 2 diabetes, congestive heart failure, liver or kidney disease should inform their doctor before taking Benicar.
It is also extremely important to advise your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive if you are given a prescription for this medication, as it may harm your baby. Patients who are on dialysis treatment should also inform their doctor prior to using Benicar. If you are suffering from dehydration, it is also advisable to not make use of Benicar, as it may result in permanent kidney damage.
Pregnancy
Under no circumstances should pregnant women use Benicar as studies have shown that complications can occur. Babies born to mothers who made use of Benicar during pregnancy experienced deformities of the face and head, developmental problems with the nervous system, kidney failure, and developmental problems with the cardiovascular system, low blood pressure and in extreme cases, even death. If a woman is pregnant, considering falling pregnant or even breastfeeding, she should consult with her doctor before making use of Benicar so that other medication options can be explored instead.
Other Medications
If your doctor prescribes Benicar to you, it is important to let them know about any other medications that you may be using for any other conditions. This includes herbal or natural remedies, because these can also have an effect on pharmaceutical medications. The following types of medication have been shown to cause adverse reactions if they are taken with Benicar:
- Diuretics such as Lasix and Demadex
- Celebrex
- Ketoprofen
- Mobic
- Relafen
- Ibuprofen such as Advil and Motrin
- Toradol
- Indocin
- Any form of potassium supplements
- Potassium-sparing diuretic medications such as Midamor, Dyrenium and Aldactone
Benicar is highly beneficial to those suffering from hypertension or high blood pressure. However, it is extremely important that the patient follows the doctor’s prescription dosages exactly, as failure to do so may result in unpleasant or even fatal side effects. Before changing your dose or stopping the use of Benicar, it is important to consult with your doctor. If any unpleasant side effects are experienced, consult with your doctor immediately.
