hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan

Generic Name: hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan (HYE droe KLOR oh THYE a zide and ol me SAR tan)

Brand Names: Benicar HCT

What is hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan?

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Olmesartan is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Olmesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan?

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. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan may cause injury and even death to the unborn baby if you take it during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan. In rare cases, hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan?

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.

To make sure you can safely take hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;


• liver disease;


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  glaucoma;

  
  


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  congestive heart failure;

  
  


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  low or high levels of potassium in your blood;

  
  


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  asthma or allergies;

  
  


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  high cholesterol or triglyceride levels;

  
  


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  gout;

  
  


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  lupus;

  
  


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  diabetes; or

  
  


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  an allergy to sulfa drugs.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Olmesartan 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 hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan. Hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan.

How should I take hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan?

Take 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.

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

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

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.

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. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan dosage (in more detail)

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.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include fast or slow heartbeat, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan?

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan, unless your doctor has told you to.

Hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. In rare cases, hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine. Call your doctor at once if you have any other serious side effects, such as:

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  eye pain, vision problems;

  
  


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  feeling like you might pass out;

  
  


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  chest pain, feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;

  
  


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  fever;

  
  


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  swelling, rapid weight gain;

  
  


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  urinating less than usual or not at all;

  
  


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  jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

  
  


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  dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, restless feeling, confusion, increased urination, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea;

  
  


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  joint pain;

  
  


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  dizziness, spinning sensation;

  
  


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  headache; or

  
  


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  dry cough.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 1 tablet (12.5 mg-20 mg) orally once a day.
Maintenance dose: Titrate as necessary up to a maximum of 25 mg-40 mg orally once a day following at least 2 weeks of therapy.

Usual Geriatric Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 1 tablet (12.5 mg-20 mg) orally once a day.
Maintenance dose: An increase from the initial dosage is not recommended for elderly patients.

What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

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  any other diuretic (water pill);

  
  


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  any other blood pressure medications;

  
  


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  steroids (prednisone and others);

  
  


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  lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);

  
  


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  cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);

  
  


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  insulin or diabetes medicine you take by mouth;

  
  


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  a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton), and others;

  
  


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  aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others;

  
  


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  a muscle relaxer such as baclofen (Lioresal), carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), dantrolene (Dantrium), metaxalone (Skelaxin), or methocarbamol (Robaxin), orphenadrine (Norflex), or tizanidine (Zanaflex); or

  
  


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  a narcotic medication such as hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Methadose), oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), and others.

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan. 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.

More hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan resources

• Hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan Side Effects (in more detail)
• Hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan Dosage
• Hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan Drug Interactions
• Hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan Support Group
• 11 Reviews for Hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan - Add your own review/rating

Compare hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan with other medications

• High Blood Pressure

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan.

See also: hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan side effects (in more detail)