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Important information about Benicar
Stop using Benicar and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Benicar can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

You should not use Benicar if you are allergic to olmesartan. Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of Benicar. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Benicar, unless your doctor has told you to.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Visit your doctor regularly.

Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

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Before taking Benicar
You should not take Benicar you are allergic to olmesartan.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
congestive heart failure; or
if you are dehydrated.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Benicar if you are pregnant. Stop using Benicar and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Benicar can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking Benicar. It is not known whether olmesartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking olmesartan.

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How should I take Benicar?
Take Benicar exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

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

You may take Benicar with or without food.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Visit your doctor regularly.

Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store Benicar at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme dizziness, fast or slow heartbeat, or fainting.

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What should I avoid while taking Benicar?
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of Benicar. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Benicar, unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

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Benicar side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Benicar: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
feeling like you might pass out;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
chest pain, fast heart rate; or
swelling in your hands or feet.

Less serious Benicar side effects may include:
dizziness;
joint or muscle pain;
back pain;
stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea;
mild itching or skin rash; or
weakness.

This is not a complete list of Benicar side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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What other drugs will affect Benicar?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially blood pressure medications such as a diuretic (water pill).

There may be other drugs that can interact with Benicar. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about Benicar.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.