10 Side Effects of Benicar

Dizziness: This is a common side effect, especially when starting the medication or increasing the dose.

Types of Dizziness

1. Lightheadedness: A feeling of faintness or near-fainting without the sensation of spinning.
2. Vertigo: A sensation that you or your surroundings are moving or spinning, often associated with balance problems.
3. Disequilibrium: Feeling off-balance or unsteady while standing or walking.
4. Presyncope: A feeling of impending fainting or loss of consciousness.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Seek immediate medical attention if dizziness is accompanied by:

• Severe headache
• Chest pain or palpitations
• Difficulty speaking
• Numbness or weakness in limbs
• Vision loss or double vision
• Severe imbalance or fainting

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension): May occur, especially in patients who are dehydrated or on other blood pressure-lowering medications.

Types of Hypotension

1. Orthostatic Hypotension: A drop in blood pressure when moving from lying down or sitting to standing, causing dizziness or fainting.
2. Postprandial Hypotension: A drop in blood pressure after eating, often seen in older adults.
3. Neurally Mediated Hypotension: A drop in blood pressure due to a miscommunication between the brain and heart, often triggered by standing for long periods.
4. Severe Hypotension (Shock): A medical emergency in which blood pressure drops dangerously low, depriving organs of oxygen and nutrients.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Seek immediate care if hypotension is accompanied by:

• Severe chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Sudden weakness or numbness
• Severe dehydration symptoms
• Confusion or loss of consciousness

Proper diagnosis and management depend on understanding the specific cause of hypotension.

Kidney Dysfunction: In rare cases, it can impair kidney function, particularly in those with pre-existing kidney issues.

Symptoms of Kidney Dysfunction

Symptoms may vary depending on severity and cause. Common signs include:

• Early Stages: Often asymptomatic; detected through blood or urine tests.
• Progressive Symptoms:
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Swelling (edema) in the legs, ankles, or face
  • Decreased urine output or foamy urine (indicative of protein loss)
  • High blood pressure
  • Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
  • Itching and dry skin
  • Shortness of breath (due to fluid accumulation in the lungs)

Immediate Medical Attention (Emergency Symptoms)

These could indicate severe kidney dysfunction or complications requiring urgent care:

1. Severe Swelling:
   • Sudden or severe swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, or face.
2. Difficulty Breathing:
   • Fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema) can cause shortness of breath.
3. Severe Pain:
   • Intense pain in the back, side, or lower abdomen may indicate kidney stones or infections.
4. Blood in Urine:
   • Pink, red, or cola-colored urine could be a sign of kidney damage or infection.
5. Decreased Urine Output:
   • Significantly reduced or no urine production may indicate acute kidney failure.
6. Mental Confusion:
   • A build-up of toxins in the blood (uremia) can lead to confusion or altered mental states.
7. High Blood Pressure Crisis:
   • Extremely high blood pressure associated with headaches, vision changes, or chest pain.
8. Fever with Symptoms:
   • A high fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms alongside back or side pain could indicate a kidney infection (pyelonephritis).

Hyperkalemia (High Potassium Levels): Olmesartan can increase potassium levels in the blood, which may cause muscle weakness, irregular heartbeats, or other symptoms.

Symptoms of Hyperkalemia

Mild cases may not cause noticeable symptoms, but as potassium levels rise, symptoms can include:

1. Muscle Weakness: Weakness or flaccid paralysis, often starting in the legs.
2. Fatigue: Generalized tiredness and lack of energy.
3. Irregular Heartbeats (Arrhythmias):
   • Palpitations or skipped beats.
   • Severe hyperkalemia can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.
4. Numbness or Tingling: Sensations in the hands, feet, or face.
5. Nausea or Vomiting: Discomfort in the gastrointestinal system.

Immediate Medical Attention (Emergency Symptoms)

Seek urgent care or call emergency services if you experience:

1. Severe Muscle Weakness:
   • Sudden or progressive weakness, particularly in the legs or arms.
2. Irregular Heartbeat:
   • Palpitations, fluttering, or the feeling of skipped heartbeats.
   • Any chest pain or discomfort.
3. Difficulty Breathing:
   • Shortness of breath that worsens over time.
4. Confusion or Drowsiness:
   • Difficulty concentrating or feeling unusually lethargic.
5. Numbness or Tingling:
   • Abnormal sensations in the hands, feet, or face.
6. Loss of Consciousness:
   • Fainting or blacking out.

These symptoms may indicate dangerously high potassium levels that can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.

Fatigue or Weakness: Some people may feel unusually tired or weak while on this medication.

When to Seek Medical Attention

1. For Fatigue:

   • Persistent fatigue lasting more than a few weeks, despite rest and lifestyle changes.
   • Fatigue accompanied by unexplained weight loss, fever, or depression.

2. For Weakness:

   • Sudden onset of weakness, especially if it involves one side of the body (possible stroke).
   • Difficulty with activities like walking, lifting, or holding objects.
   • Weakness with other symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness.

Gastrointestinal Issues: This includes nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. Rarely, it may cause sprue-like enteropathy, characterized by severe, chronic diarrhea and weight loss.

Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Issues

Common symptoms include:

1. Abdominal Pain or Cramping: May vary in location and intensity.
2. Heartburn or Acid Reflux: Burning sensation in the chest or throat.
3. Nausea and Vomiting: Can occur due to various digestive disturbances.
4. Bloating or Gas: Feeling of fullness or excessive gas production.
5. Changes in Bowel Habits:
   • Diarrhea or constipation.
   • Blood in stools or black, tarry stools.
6. Loss of Appetite: Often accompanied by weight loss.
7. Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes (linked to liver issues).

When to Seek Medical Attention

• Severe or persistent abdominal pain.
• Blood in stool or black, tarry stools.
• Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite.
• Difficulty swallowing or persistent vomiting.
• Symptoms interfering with daily life.

Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help manage GI issues effectively and prevent complications.

Headache: A common but usually mild side effect.

When to Seek Medical Attention

• Severe, Sudden Headache: A sudden, intense headache that is different from usual headaches or comes on very suddenly may indicate a serious condition, like a stroke or aneurysm.
• Persistent or Frequent Headaches: If headaches occur regularly and interfere with daily activities, it’s important to seek medical advice.
• Neurological Symptoms: Headaches accompanied by vision changes, speech difficulty, weakness, or numbness may suggest a more serious issue, such as a stroke or brain tumor.
• Headaches After Injury: If you experience a headache after a head injury, it may indicate a concussion or other brain injury.
• Severe Nausea and Vomiting: These, especially if associated with a headache, can indicate increased intracranial pressure or another serious condition.

Back Pain or Joint Pain: Musculoskeletal discomfort is occasionally reported.

Back Pain: When to Seek Medical Attention

While most back pain improves with rest and home care, certain signs or situations require medical attention:

1. Severe, Persistent Pain:

   • If the pain is intense, persistent, and doesn't improve with rest, ice, heat, or over-the-counter medications.

2. Radiating Pain:

   • If the pain radiates down one or both legs, especially with symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness. This could indicate sciatica or nerve compression.

3. Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control:

   • Difficulty controlling urination or bowel movements, or a loss of bladder function, could be a sign of cauda equina syndrome, a rare but serious condition caused by pressure on the spinal nerves.

4. Trauma or Injury:

   • If you experience back pain after a fall, accident, or sports injury, seek immediate medical attention to rule out fractures or ligament damage.

5. Fever and Back Pain:

   • If back pain is accompanied by fever, this could indicate an infection, such as spinal abscess or osteomyelitis (bone infection).

6. Unexplained Weight Loss:

   • Significant weight loss along with back pain may suggest cancer or other serious conditions, and requires immediate medical evaluation.

7. History of Cancer:

   • If you have a history of cancer and develop back pain, particularly if the pain is severe and unexplained, it should be evaluated as it could indicate cancer metastasis to the spine.

8. Older Age:

   • If you’re over 50 and experience new or unusual back pain, or if your pain is worsening, it may be linked to conditions like osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease.

9. Night Pain:

   • If your back pain worsens at night, or disturbs your sleep, it could be indicative of more serious conditions such as infection, tumor, or inflammatory diseases like ankylosing spondylitis.

10. Difficulty Walking:

    • Pain that causes difficulty standing or walking may indicate serious nerve issues, requiring prompt evaluation.

Allergic Reactions: Though rare, symptoms may include rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

1. Mild to Moderate Symptoms:
   • Skin: Hives (raised, red, itchy bumps), rash, or eczema.
   • Nasal: Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itching, or post-nasal drip (common in allergic rhinitis).
   • Eyes: Itchy, red, watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis).
   • Mouth and Throat: Itching or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat.
   • Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea (often seen with food allergies).
2. Severe Symptoms (Anaphylaxis): Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. It can involve:

• Severe swelling: Especially in the face, mouth, or throat, which can lead to difficulty breathing (angioedema).
• Respiratory Issues: Shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, or tightness in the chest due to airway constriction.
• Cardiovascular Problems: Drop in blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, or shock.
• Loss of Consciousness: In severe cases, anaphylaxis can lead to unconsciousness or death if not treated promptly.

When to Seek Medical Attention

1. Severe Symptoms: If you experience difficulty breathing, swelling in the throat, chest tightness, or dizziness, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
2. Uncertainty About Allergens: If you’re unsure what’s causing your symptoms, or if you have recurrent reactions, seeing an allergist for testing is important.
3. Food Allergies: If you accidentally ingest an allergen, especially if you experience swelling, vomiting, or breathing issues, seek immediate care.
4. Medication Reactions: If you develop signs of an allergic reaction after taking a new medication (e.g., rash, difficulty breathing), contact your healthcare provider.

Angioedema: A potentially serious but rare side effect involving swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, which can interfere with breathing.

Symptoms of Angioedema

• Swelling: The primary symptom is sudden swelling in various areas, most commonly the face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, or genital region.
  • Swelling in the lips, eyes, and tongue can cause difficulty breathing or swallowing, which may lead to life-threatening complications.
• Pain or Tenderness: The affected area may feel tender or painful to the touch, especially when the swelling is more significant.
• Itching or Burning: Some individuals experience a sensation of itching or burning in the affected area, though it is not always present.
• Skin Redness: The swollen areas may appear red or blotchy, especially when the swelling occurs near the skin's surface.
• Breathing Difficulties: Swelling of the throat or tongue can cause difficulty breathing, a sensation of tightness in the throat, or hoarseness, which may require emergency medical attention.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Angioedema

1. Difficulty Breathing or Swallowing: If the swelling involves the tongue or throat, seek emergency medical attention immediately, as this could lead to life-threatening airway obstruction.
2. Severe or Widespread Swelling: If the swelling is extensive or rapidly worsening, it’s important to get medical help.
3. Signs of Anaphylaxis: If angioedema is accompanied by other signs of anaphylaxis (such as hives, dizziness, or fainting), emergency medical treatment with epinephrine is needed.
4. Recurrent Episodes: If you have frequent or unexplained episodes of angioedema, especially without a clear allergen trigger, consult a doctor for further evaluation and management.

This page should not be used as a medical diagnosis and is for informational purposes only. This medicine has been researched using search engines and brand information within the prescription of such medicine. Ashleign is not a current medical professional nor physician. This is not medical advice. There are other symptoms to this medicine, if you are unsure of other side effects to this medicine please contact your pharmacist or physician for more information.