Navigation

Atacand vs. Benicar

Are Atacand and Benicar the Same Thing?

Atacand (candesartan cilexetil) and Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) are angiotensin II receptor antagonists used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Side effects of Atacand and Benicar that are similar include dizziness, back pain, joint pain, stomach pain, diarrhea, or headache.

Side effects of Atacand that are different from Benicar include runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, tired feeling, feeling like you might pass out, chest pain, swelling in your hands or feet, slow heart rate, weak pulse, or tingly feeling.

Side effects of Benicar that are different from Atacand include lightheadedness, bronchitis, muscle pain, nausea, itching or skin rash, weakness, flu-like symptoms, blood in the urine, and sinus infections.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Atacand?

Common side effects of Atacand include:

  • runny or stuffy nose,
  • sore throat,
  • cough,
  • back pain,
  • joint pain,
  • stomach pain,
  • diarrhea,
  • headache,
  • dizziness,
  • tired feeling,
  • feeling like you might pass out,
  • chest pain,
  • swelling in your hands or feet,
  • slow heart rate,
  • weak pulse, or
  • tingly feeling.

Tell the doctor immediately if you notice any of these side effects.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Benicar?

Common side effects of Benicar include:

  • dizziness,
  • lightheadedness,
  • bronchitis,
  • back pain,
  • joint or muscle pain,
  • stomach pain,
  • nausea,
  • diarrhea,
  • itching or skin rash,
  • weakness,
  • headache,
  • flu-like symptoms,
  • blood in the urine, and
  • sinus infections.

Potentially serious side effects of Benicar include:

What Is Atacand?

Atacand (candesartan cilexetil) is a selective AT1 subtype angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children 1 to less than 17 years of age.

What Is Benicar?

Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to reduce and control hypertension (high blood pressure).

What Drugs Interact With Atacand?

Atacand may interact with alcohol, potassium supplements or salt substitutes, diuretics (water pills), lithium; or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

What Drugs Interact With Benicar?

Benicar may interact with other blood pressure medications.

Benicar may also interact with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

How Should Atacand Be Taken?

The usual recommended starting dose of Atacand is 16 mg once daily when it is used as monotherapy in patients who are not volume depleted. Atacand can be administered once or twice daily with total daily doses ranging from 8 mg to 32 mg.

How Should Benicar Be Taken?

Benicar is available in strengths of 5, 20, or 40 mg of olmesartan medoxomil tablets. The usual recommended starting dose is 20 mg per day but dosage in pediatric patients needs to be calculated for each individual. Benicar should not be used in pregnancy due to possible fetal damage or death; breastfeeding women and their doctors need to weigh the advantages vs the possible harm if the drug is used. There is only one study in pediatric patients (ages 1-16 years) that suggests that Benicar is well tolerated with similar side effects seen in adults.

Disclaimer

All drug information provided on RxList.com is sourced directly from drug monographs published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Any drug information published on RxList.com regarding general drug information, drug side effects, drug usage, dosage, and more are sourced from the original drug documentation found in its FDA drug monograph.

Drug information found in the drug comparisons published on RxList.com is primarily sourced from the FDA drug information. The drug comparison information found in this article does not contain any data from clinical trials with human participants or animals performed by any of the drug manufacturers comparing the drugs.

The drug comparisons information provided does not cover every potential use, warning, drug interaction, side effect, or adverse or allergic reaction. RxList.com assumes no responsibility for any healthcare administered to a person based on the information found on this site.

As drug information can and will change at any time, RxList.com makes every effort to update its drug information. Due to the time-sensitive nature of drug information, RxList.com makes no guarantees that the information provided is the most current.

Any missing drug warnings or information does not in any way guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or the lack of adverse effects of any drug. The drug information provided is intended for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.

If you have specific questions regarding a drug’s safety, side effects, usage, warnings, etc., you should contact your doctor or pharmacist, or refer to the individual drug monograph details found on the FDA.gov or RxList.com websites for more information.

You may also report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by visiting the FDA MedWatch website or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.