Olmesartan/hydrochlorothiazide, sold under the brand name Benicar HCT among others, is a medication used to treat

high blood pressure Hypertension (HTN or HT), also known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. Long-term high bl ...

. It is a combination of

olmesartan Olmesartan, sold under the trade name Benicar among others, is a medication used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and diabetic kidney disease. It is a reasonable initial treatment for high blood pressure. It is taken by mouth. Versio ...

, an angiotension receptor blocker and hydrochlorothiazide, a

diuretic A diuretic () is any substance that promotes diuresis, the increased production of urine. This includes forced diuresis. A diuretic tablet is sometimes colloquially called a water tablet. There are several categories of diuretics. All diuretics in ...

. It may be used if olmesartan is not sufficient to manage blood pressure. It is taken by mouth. Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, and

upper respiratory tract infections An upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is an illness caused by an acute infection, which involves the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx or trachea. This commonly includes nasal obstruction, sore throat, to ...

. Serious side effects may include kidney problems, allergic reactions, electrolyte problems and low blood pressure. Use in

pregnancy Pregnancy is the time during which one or more offspring develops ( gestates) inside a woman's uterus (womb). A multiple pregnancy involves more than one offspring, such as with twins. Pregnancy usually occurs by sexual intercourse, but ca ...

is not recommended. Olmesartan works by blocking the effects of

angiotensin II Angiotensin is a peptide hormone that causes vasoconstriction and an increase in blood pressure. It is part of the renin–angiotensin system, which regulates blood pressure. Angiotensin also stimulates the release of aldosterone from the adre ...

while hydrochlorothiazide works by increasing the loss of sodium by the kidneys. No generic version is available in the United States as of 2017. In 2020, it was the 281st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1million prescriptions.

References

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