Cozaar vs. Benicar

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

Cozaar (losartan) and Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) are angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) used to treat hypertension.

Common side effects of Cozaar include:

• diarrhea
• stomach pain
• muscle cramps
• leg or back pain
• dizziness
• headache
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• tiredness, and
• cold or flu symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever, and cough

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Cozaar including pain or burning when you urinate; pale skin, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; wheezing, chest pain; drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting; swelling, weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all; or high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling).

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).

Cozaar (losartan) is an oral angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) prescribed for the treatment of hypertension.

Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to reduce and control hypertension (high blood pressure). Generic Benicar is available outside of the U.S.

Cozaar may interact with diuretics (water pills), other blood pressure medications, lithium, celecoxib, or aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Benicar may interact with other blood pressure medications or aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Dosing preparations of Cozaar are 25, 50, and 100 mg tablets. Drug interactions with Cozaar may occur with inhibitors of cytochrome P450, potassium- sparing diuretics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Cozaar should not be used during pregnancy, and it is not known whether it is excreted in breast milk.

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.