Benicar
(Olmesartan Medoxomil)

What Benicar is and what it is used for

Olmesartan belongs to a group of medicines called angiotensin-II receptor antagonists. They lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels. Olmesartan is used for the treatment of high blood pressure (also known as “hypertension”) in adults and in children and adolescents aged 6 to less than 18 years. High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in organs such as the heart, kidneys, brain and eyes. In some cases this may lead to a heart attack, heart or kidney failure, stroke or blindness. Usually high blood pressure has no symptoms. It is important to have your blood pressure checked to prevent damage occurring. High blood pressure can be controlled with medicines such as Olmesartan tablets. Your doctor has probably also recommended that you make some changes in your lifestyle to help lower your blood pressure (for example losing weight, giving up smoking, reducing the amount of alcohol you drink and reducing the amount of salt in your diet). Your doctor may also have urged you to take regular exercise, such as walking or swimming. It is important to follow this advice from your doctor.

How to take Benicar

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The recommended starting dose is one 10 mg tablet once a day. However, if your blood pressure is not controlled, your doctor may decide to change your dose up to 20 or 40 mg once a day, or prescribe additional medicines. In patients with mild to moderate kidney disease, your dose will not be higher than 20 mg once a day. The tablets can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablets with a sufficient amount of water (e.g. one glass). If possible, take your daily dose at the same time each day, for example at breakfast time. Children and adolescents from 6 to less than 18 years of age: The recommended starting dose is 10 mg once daily. If the patient’s blood pressure is not adequately controlled, the doctor may decide to change the dose up to 20 or 40 mg once a day. In children who weigh less than 35 kg, the dose will not be higher than 20 mg once a day. If you take more Olmesartan than you should If you take more tablets than you should or if a child accidentally swallows some, go to your doctor or nearest emergency department immediately and take your medicine pack with you. If you forget to take Olmesartan If you forget a dose, take your normal dose on the following day as usual. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet. If you stop taking Olmesartan It is important to continue to take Olmesartan unless your doctor tells you to stop. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacis

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If they do occur, they are often mild and do not require treatment to be stopped. Although not many people may get them, the following two side effects can be serious: On rare occasions (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) the following allergic reactions, that may affect the whole body have been reported: Swelling of the face, mouth and/or larynx (voice box) together with itching and rash may occur during treatment with olmesartan medoxomil. If this happens stop taking Olmesartan medoxomil and contact your doctor immediately.

Rarely (but slightly more often in elderly people) olmesartan medoxomil can cause the blood pressure to fall too low in susceptible individuals or as the result of an allergic reaction. This could cause severe lightheadedness or fainting. If this occurs stop taking Olmesartan medoxomil, contact your doctor immediately and lie down flat. These are the other side effects known about so far with Olmesartan:

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): Dizziness, headache, nausea, indigestion, diarrhoea, stomach ache, gastroenteritis, tiredness, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, bronchitis, flu-like symptoms, cough, pain, pain in the chest, back, bones or joints, infection of the urinary tract, swelling of ankles, feet, legs, hands, or arms, blood in the urine. Some changes in blood test results have also been seen and include the following: increased fat levels (hypertriglyceridaemia), increased uric acid levels (hyperuricaemia), rise in blood urea, increases in tests of liver and muscle function.

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): Quick allergic reactions that may affect the whole body and may cause breathing problems as well as a rapid fall of blood pressure that may even lead to fainting (anaphylactic reactions), swelling of the face, vertigo, vomiting, weakness, feeling unwell, muscular pain, skin rash, allergic skin rash, itching, exanthema (skin eruption), skin lumps (wheals), angina (pain or uncomfortable feeling in the chest). In blood tests a reduction of the numbers of a type of blood cell, known as platelets has been seen (thrombocytopenia).

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people): Lack of energy, muscle cramps, impaired kidney function, kidney failure. Some changes in blood test results have also been seen. These include increased potassium levels (hyperkalaemia) and increased levels of compounds related to kidney function. Additional side effects in children and adolescents: In children, side effects are similar to those reported in adults. However, dizziness and headache are seen more often in children, and nose bleeding is a common side effect seen in children only.

Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/ yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

How to Store Benicar

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label, carton, bottle after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Store below 30°C. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.