Which dose of Benicar do you need?

There are three doses of Benicar:

• 20 mg once daily – usual recommended starting dose
• 40 mg once daily – for patients who need to lower blood pressure even more after 2 weeks of therapy
• 5 mg – for patients on water pills, especially those with kidney problems

Benicar should be taken as directed by your healthcare provider. You can take Benicar with or without food.

You should not take Benicar if you are allergic to any ingredient in Benicar.

Which dose of Benicar HCT do you need?

There are three doses of Benicar HCT:

• Benicar HCT 20 mg / 12.5 mg HCT (water pill) once daily
• Benicar HCT 40 mg / 12.5 mg HCT (water pill) once daily
• Benicar HCT 40 mg / 25 mg HCT (water pill) once daily

If you have been taking either Benicar or HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide) and your blood pressure is still not under control, your doctor may switch you to once-daily Benicar HCT. By testing your blood pressure over 2 to 4 weeks, your doctor can decide whether you need a higher dose.

Because of the HCTZ ingredient in Benicar HCT, you should not take Benicar HCT if you have severe kidney disease, are unable to urinate, or are sensitive to other sulfonamide-derived drugs.

Thiazide diuretics (such as HCTZ) should be used with caution if you have impaired liver function or progressive liver disease.

Thiazide diuretics (such as HCTZ) have also been reported to aggravate a condition known as systemic lupus erythematosus.

Hypersensitivity reactions to hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) may occur even if you do not have a history of allergy or bronchial asthma, but may be more likely if you have a history of such reactions.

Lithium generally should not be given if you are taking a thiazide diuretic (such as HCTZ), which is one of the active medicines in Benicar HCT.

Next: how you can keep tabs on your progress