Micardis vs. Benicar

• Are Micardis and Benicar the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Micardis?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Benicar?
• What Is Micardis?
• What Is Benicar?
• What Drugs Interact with Micardis?
• What Drugs Interact with Benicar?
• How Should Micardis Be Taken?
• How Should Benicar Be Taken?

Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) and Micardis (telmisartan) are angiotensin II receptor antagonists used to reduce and control hypertension (high blood pressure).

Common side effects of Micardis include:

• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• blurred vision, or
• back pain as your body adjusts to the medication.
• Other side effects of Micardis include stuffy nose,
• sinus pain,
• cough,
• stomach pain,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• tired feeling,
• weakness, or
• skin rash.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Micardis including:

• fainting,
• unusual change in the amount of urine, or
• symptoms of a high potassium blood level (such as muscle weakness, slow/irregular heartbeat).

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:

• difficulty with breathing or swallowing,
• chest pain,
• cough,
• vertigo,
• abdominal pain,
• hyperkalemia,
• renal failure, and
• muscle tissue breakdown (rhabdomyolysis).

Micardis (telmisartan) is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Micardis is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications. Micardis is also used to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death from heart problems in people who are at least 55 years old with risk factors for serious heart disorders.

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

Micardis may interact with diuretics (water pills), or digoxin. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking.

Benicar may interact with other blood pressure medications.

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

Dosage of Micardis is individualized. The usual starting dose is 40 mg once a day.

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.