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Why was Benicar taken off the market?
Watchdog group Public Citizen petitioned the FDA to get antihypertensive olmesartan medoxomil (Benicar HCT) and generics off the market because of the risk of sprue-like enteropathy, a severe and even life-threatening gastrointestinal side effect.
Does Benicar contain hydrochlorothiazide?
Benicar HCT (olmesartan / hydrochlorothiazide) is a combination medication that contains two drugs, olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide. Olmesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB).
Does olmesartan contain hydrochlorothiazide?
Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. This product contains two medications: olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide. Olmesartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily.
What drugs should not be taken with olmesartan?
Some products that may interact with this drug include: aliskiren, lithium, drugs that may increase the level of potassium in the blood (such as ACE inhibitors including benazepril/lisinopril, birth control pills containing drospirenone).
What drug is similar to Benicar?
Fortunately, both are available as much cheaper generic medications: olmesartan (generic Benicar) and losartan (generic Cozaar). Most insurance plans cover these generics.
Is Benicar hard on the kidneys?
But since its FDA approval, many negative side effects have been linked to the use of Benicar, one of the most serious being kidney failure (also referred to as renal failure).
Does Benicar raise blood sugar?
This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. Diabetic patients may notice a change in the results of blood or urine glucose tests. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions. Severe, chronic diarrhea with weight loss may develop months to years after taking this medicine.
What is the generic name for Benicar HCT?
Benicar HCT (olmesartan medoxomil-hydrochlorothiazide) is a combination of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist and a thiazide diuretic (water pill) used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Can I eat bananas while taking olmesartan?
Frequently asked questions about Benicar (olmesartan) If causes high potassium, does this mean you can’t eat bananas? Benicar (olmesartan) can raise the amount of potassium in your body, so you might want to avoid eating too many bananas and other foods with high potassium.
Is there a generic drug for Benicar HCT?
Teva announced the launch of Olmesartan Medoxomil Tablets, the generic version of Daiichi Sanko’s Benicar and Olmesartan Medoxomil and Hydrocholorthiazide Tablets, the generic version of Benicar HCT.
What can I take instead of Benicar?
Olmesartan was approved in 2002 as brand-name Benicar, but is now available as a cheaper generic. Olmesartan is available in convenient combination tablets: olmesartan/HCTZ and olmesartan/amlodipine/HCTZ. Olmesartan is better than losartan at lowering blood pressure and generally provides good 24-hour coverage.
Has Benicar been taken off the market?
Benicar has not been taken off the market. People filed the first federal Benicar lawsuits in 2014 after the Food and Drug Administration warned that drugs containing olmesartan could cause sprue-like enteropathy, a disease known to cause severe diarrhea and weight loss.
Would lisinopril be a good substitute for Benicar?
So Lisinopril is a better drug than Benicar for the treatment of blood pressure and should be the first choice. This is just an informative post comparing Benicar to Lisinopril. While we tried to be as accurate as possible in describing various effects and dosing of both drugs you should never rely on medical information found on the Internet.
What are the problems with Benicar?
There are also a number of less common but more serious side effects that may occur with Benicar. These problems may include decreased urine production, unexplained skin rash, and fainting spells. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (including Benicar) have been known to cause a decrease in kidney function.
What is a substitution for Benicar>?
Lisinopril would likely be a fine substitute for Benicar (olmesartan). Both medication work through a common pathway in the body to lower blood pressure.
What is Benicar used for?
Benicar is the brand name of the prescription drug olmesartan, which is used to treat high blood pressure. The medicine is in a class of drugs known as angiotensin II receptor antagonists, which work by relaxing blood vessels.