Avapro vs. Benicar

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

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

Avapro is also used to treat kidney problems caused by type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes.

Common side effects of Avapro include:

• dizziness,
• lightheadedness, or
• upset stomach as your body adjusts to the medication, as well as
• diarrhea,
• heartburn, or
• tiredness.

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).

Avapro (irbesartan) is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Avapro is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications. Avapro is also used to treat kidney problems caused by type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes.

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

Avapro may interact with diuretics (water pills) or aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Benicar may interact with other blood pressure medications.

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

To treat hypertension the recommended starting dose of Avapro is 150 mg once daily. Patients requiring further reduction in blood pressure should be adjusted to 300 mg once daily. To treat nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients, the recommended target maintenance dose is 300 mg once daily. Avapro may interact with diuretics (water pills), digoxin, or blood thinners. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Avapro is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the risk for harm to the fetus. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

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.