Benicar is a medication in a class of drugs known as angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It works by relaxing and expanding the blood vessels in the body to reduce blood pressure, explains Drugs.com. Benicar may be prescribed in conjunction with other medications, diet and exercise for the treatment of high blood pressure. There are some bad side effects of Benicar that patients should be aware of.
Hypotension
A bad side effect of Benicar is hypotension, or low blood pressure. This may be more likely to occur in the first several months of treatment with Benicar. Symptoms of low blood pressure can include dizziness, headache, fatigue lightheadedness and faintness. Patients taking Benicar should be instructed on how to monitor their blood pressure at home and when to notify their physician. Those who develop hypotension should notify their doctor prior to taking another dose of Benicar. In some cases, an adjustment in dosage may be recommended. Likewise, excessive sweating, severe diarrhea or vomiting could deplete one's body's fluids and also cause hypotension, explains Drugs.com.
Upper Respiratory Infection
Benicar may cause an upper respiratory infection or discomfort in some users. Symptoms can include headache, nasal congestion, runny nose, sinus pressure and sore throat. Using a saline nasal spray and throat lozenges may help to alleviate such symptoms. However, when these symptoms occur in conjunction with weakness, fatigue, swollen lymph glands, difficulty breathing, wheezing or a yellow or green tinged sputum it may indicate a type of infection which requires medical evaluation and treatment.
Serious Effects
Some patients taking Benicar may develop serious side effects. According to PubMed Health, swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs, hoarseness or difficulty swallowing or breathing can occur. These symptoms may indicate a bad allergic reaction to Benicar which requires emergency medical attention. Additional symptoms that may indicate a serious reaction to Benicar include dry mouth, thirst, weakness, sluggishness, drowsiness, restlessness, confusion, seizures, muscle pain or cramps, muscle fatigue, low blood pressure, decreased urination, rapid heartbeat, nausea, and vomiting, explains Drugs.com. A physician should be notified immediately if any of the above-mentioned symptoms occur.
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