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|Benicar

Benicar

Benicar is used for:

Treating high blood pressure, alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Benicar is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. It works by inhibiting the action of a chemical transmitter (angiotensin II) and allowing the blood vessels to dilate (widen) and the kidneys to eliminate extra sodium and fluids. These actions combine to help lower blood pressure.

Do NOT use Benicar if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Benicar
• you are pregnant, especially after the third month

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Benicar :

Some medical conditions may interact with Benicar . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver or kidney disease
• if you have low sodium or fluid levels or are taking high doses of diuretics

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Benicar . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone) because the risk of their side effects, including elevated potassium levels, may be increased by Benicar

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Benicar may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Benicar :

Use Benicar as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Benicar by mouth with or without food.
• If you miss a dose of Benicar , take it as soon as possible. If you are only taking one dose a day and do not remember your missed dose until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Benicar .

Important safety information:

• Benicar may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Benicar with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Benicar before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Benicar should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Benicar may cause fetal and newborn death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Benicar is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Benicar .

Possible side effects of Benicar :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Abdominal/stomach pain; cough; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; unusual tiredness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fainting; increased heartbeat; lightheadedness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include rapid or unusually slow pulse; unusual dizziness or fainting.

Store Benicar at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Benicar out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Benicar , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Benicar is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is summary only. It does not contain all information about Benicar . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.