Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan

Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan is a combination medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). 

• Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan is available under various brand names: Benicar HCT

Common side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan include:

• dizziness.
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; or
• high levels of uric acid in your blood.

Serious side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan include:

• hives. 
• difficulty breathing. 
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness,fever, unusual tiredness, and dark-colored urine.
• eye pain, vision problems.
• a light-headed feeling,
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding.
• kidney problems--little or no urination, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.
• low levels of sodium in the body--headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.
• high potassium--nausea, slow or unusual heart rate, weakness, loss of movement; or
• low potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, or limp feeling.

Rare side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Tablet

• 20 mg/12.5 mg
• 40 mg/12.5 mg
• 40 mg/25 mg

Hypertension: 

Adult dosage

• Patients currently on Olmesartan monotherapy: 
  • Initial: Olmesartan 40 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg once daily; may titrate dose after 2 to 4 weeks (maximum: Olmesartan 40 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg per day).
• Patients currently on hydrochlorothiazide monotherapy: 
  • Initial: Olmesartan 20 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg once daily; may titrate dose after 2 to 4 weeks (maximum: Olmesartan 40 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg per day).

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan have severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • Aliskiren
• Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan have serious interactions with at least 23 other drugs.
• Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan have moderate interactions with at least 223 other drugs.
• Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan have minor interactions with at least 154 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to hydrochlorothiazide or Olmesartan if you are unable to urinate.
• Severe kidney disease, 
• Urination problems, or 
• A history of jaundice or liver problems
• If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (such as Tekturna or Tekamlo).
• You may also need to avoid taking hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan?”

Cautions

• Do not use it if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away.
• You should not use this medicine if you are unable to urinate.
• If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (such as Tekturna or Tekamlo).
• If you also take cholestyramine or colestipol, avoid taking these medications within 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan.
• Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan, unless your doctor has told you to.
• Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may cause side effects.
• Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Do not use it if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan and tell your doctor right away. Hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.
• Lactation
  • Hydrochlorothiazide can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in the nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while using this Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan.