Olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide may cause extremely low blood pressure in some people. This is more likely to happen when the medicine is first started or the dosage is changed. It is also more likely to happen in people who are taking a diuretic, who are on dialysis, who have congestive heart failure, who have diarrhea or vomiting, or who have excessive sweating. This is why it is important to drink fluids regularly while taking olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide. If you have any possible symptoms of low blood pressure, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, contact your healthcare provider. If you have fainted, stop taking olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide until you have talked to your healthcare provider.
Make sure not to drive, operate any heavy machinery, or perform any other tasks that require alertness before you know how the medication affects you.
Olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide is a pregnancy Category C medicine for the first trimester and a pregnancy Category D medicine for the second and third trimesters, meaning that it has health risks to your unborn child. If you become pregnant while taking olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide, contact your healthcare provider immediately (see Benicar HCT and Pregnancy).
While taking olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide, do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes with potassium unless you have discussed this with your doctor. In some people taking the drug, potassium in the blood can increase or decrease to dangerous levels.
Olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide may affect electrolytes in the blood (including sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride). Therefore, your healthcare provider will regularly check these levels. If you notice any symptoms of a possible electrolyte imbalance, contact your healthcare provider. These symptoms may include a dry mouth, increased thirst, weakness, tiredness, restlessness, seizures, confusion, muscle pain or cramps, decrease in urine output, a weak or irregular heartbeat, nausea, or vomiting.
Medicines like olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide have been known to cause a decrease in kidney function, especially in certain groups, such as those with severe congestive heart failure or severe kidney disease. Let your healthcare provider know if you have symptoms such as a decrease in urine output, drowsiness, headache, or back pain. Your healthcare provider will also regularly check your kidney function with a blood test.
Because of the hydrochlorothiazide, olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide is more likely than other drugs to cause allergic reactions. This is more common in people with a history of allergies or asthma. Make sure to discuss this risk with your healthcare provider. Also, seek emergency medical attention immediately if you notice things such as hives, an unexplained rash, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face or throat.
The hydrochlorothiazide may make systemic lupus erythematosus worse or, in some cases, even cause the condition. It is also known to make gout worse.
Olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide may increase blood sugar levels (a condition called hyperglycemia) in diabetics or, in some cases, even cause diabetes in people without a history of the condition.
Olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide may increase levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
If you are nursing, it is not known whether olmesartan medoxomil passes through your breast milk. However, hydrochlorothiazide does pass through breast milk. Therefore, if you are nursing, ask your healthcare provider whether you should stop taking olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide or stop breastfeeding.
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