Get Informed: Benicar HCT
Active Ingredient(s)
Olmesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of high blood pressure. It contains a diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide) and an angiotensin receptor blocker (olmesartan).
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Jul-31 12:33 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Jul-30 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Benicar HCT
- Olmetec Plus
- Olmesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
- Please log in
- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category
- D
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to an increased risk of fetal death.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 05 Jun 2003
- Est US Patients*
- 555,500
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Benicar HCT or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Benicar HCT
- FDA Announces Ongoing Safety Review of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) for Cancer Risk
- Angiotensin-Receptor Blockers (ARBs) May Be Linked to Small Increased Risk of Cancer
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Announces Ongoing Safety Review of Benicar and Risk of Heart Attack, Sudden Death, and Stroke
Benicar HCT Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Benicar HCT interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Benicar HCT used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 4,100 patients that use Benicar HCT (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure | 100% |
mild
severe
|
| Heart Failure/Edema | 2% |
mild
severe
|
How well does Benicar HCT work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 4,100 users taking Benicar HCT (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 88%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Benicar HCT outweigh the bad things.
- 13%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Benicar HCT.
Common Side Effects of Benicar HCT
iGuard regularly polls our more than 4,100 users taking Benicar HCT (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
20% of patients experience side-effects on Benicar HCT
4% of patients experience significant side-effects on Benicar HCT
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Loss of Libido
-
Fatigue
-
Swelling/Edema
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Bloating/Gas, Dizziness, Drowsiness, Nausea/Vomiting, Urinary Frequency
Global Patient Feedback for Benicar HCT (Olmesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
Does Benicar HCT cause back pain and bone loss? Please let me know ASAP!!
55 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-05-31 20:29:17
iGuard Answer/Reply:
The product labeling for Benicar HCT does list reports back pain, although it is not a common side effect. The product labeling does list any reports of bone loss. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and discuss your options for treating your medical conditions.
Posted: 2010-06-24 23:01:00
Question/Comment:
I am a 53/54 year old female, married to a 59 year old male who is also on bp pills-he's been on a few different bp pills-but never has been on Benicar HCT-and has lost his sex drive on all of them-as I have also lost mine on Benicar HCT-no complaints on either side here-LOL-really-I have had numerous back surgeries over the years-the last one landed me on bp pills--I also have swelling quite often-however-never knew what causes it-as well as any side effects-I blame my back pills -oh well!!!
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-28 14:38:03
Question/Comment:
I've been taking this for about 9 months and it has been the best for regulating my blood pressure. It also stopped the swelling I'd had for a few years with my other meds. No dizziness or fogginess. It's still $40 per month even with Blue Shield. I asked my doctor if she had samples and she gave me a 3 month supply.
45 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-20 10:11:48
Question/Comment:
Benicar HCT plus the contrast agent from an MRI caused me to have almost total kidney failure-I ended up in the hospital for 4 days, just barely avoided dialysis, and was given two units of red blood cells for the resulting anemia. Anyone with back pain should have their kidney function checked ASAP-especially if you're also taking NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, etc), as these can also cause kidney damage.
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-25 13:02:17
Question/Comment:
It got my BP down to 110/70 very consistently, without any side effects.
50 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-25 01:22:28
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
39
Patient Comments About
Benicar HCT