Do NOT use Benicar if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Benicar
• you are in your second or third trimester of pregnancy.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Benicar. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of angioedema (eg, swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; hoarseness), including angioedema caused by treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (eg, lisinopril)
• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure), blood vessel problems, blood flow problems, liver or kidney problems, gallbladder problems, or diabetes
• if you have a history of stroke or recent heart attack
• if you are dehydrated or have low blood volume
• if you have electrolyte problems (eg, high blood potassium levels, low blood sodium levels) or are on a low-salt (sodium) diet
• if you are on dialysis or are scheduled to have major surgery.

Some medicines may interact with Benicar. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of low blood pressure may be increased
• Potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone, triamterene) or potassium supplements because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, celecoxib, ibuprofen, indomethacin) because they may decrease Benicar's effectiveness.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Benicar may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

• Benicar may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Benicar with caution. Do not drive or perform other possible unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Benicar may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Benicar may cause a serious side effect called angioedema. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness.
• Benicar may not work as well in black patients. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
• Dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur.
• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Benicar before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
• If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Lab tests, including blood pressure, blood electrolyte levels, and heart, kidney, or liver function, may be performed while you use Benicar. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Benicar should with extreme caution in children younger 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Benicar may cause birth defects or fetal death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Benicar is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Benicar, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; hoarseness); change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; difficulty swallowing; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; muscle pain or cramps; symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, fainting, lightheadedness, severe dizziness).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.