This article describes possible side effects of olmesartan oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about olmesartan, including the drug’s uses, dosages, and more.
Olmesartan oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Benicar.
Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm
Olmesartan oral tablet has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Warnings for olmesartan” section below.
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More common side effects of olmesartan
Olmesartan oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of olmesartan oral tablet include:
Mild side effects of olmesartan
Olmesartan may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of olmesartan oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* An allergic reaction is possible with olmesartan oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of olmesartan in detail” section below.
Olmesartan oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of olmesartan
Olmesartan may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from olmesartan oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with olmesartan.
Serious side effects of olmesartan oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of olmesartan in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with olmesartan oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
‡ Olmesartan oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Warnings for olmesartan” section below.
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Common questions about side effects of olmesartan
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of olmesartan oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does olmesartan cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases olmesartan oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time. An example of a long-term side effect reported with olmesartan oral tablet is severe diarrhea.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about this side effect and how to manage it. You can also view the “Side effects of olmesartan in detail” section below for more details about severe diarrhea.
Can olmesartan 20 mg cause fewer side effects than olmesartan 40 mg?
It’s not likely. In studies, the frequency and severity of side effects were similar regardless of the dose of olmesartan.
If you have concerns about olmesartan side effects given your dose, talk with your doctor.
Is weight gain a side effect of olmesartan?
No, weight gain isn’t known to be a side effect of olmesartan. Weight gain wasn’t reported in studies of the drug, and it hasn’t been reported since it’s been available for use.
If you have weight gain while taking olmesartan, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the possible cause.
Side effects of olmesartan in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of olmesartan oral tablet.
Low blood pressure
Olmesartan oral tablet can cause low blood pressure. If your blood pressure drops too low, it can be serious. This risk is highest after you first start taking olmesartan.
With low blood pressure, you may experience symptoms including:
- dizziness
- lightheadedness
- headache
- fainting
- falls
Certain factors can increase the risk of low blood pressure with olmesartan oral tablet. These include if you’re dehydrated and if you take a diuretic (water pill).
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of low blood pressure, tell your doctor. They’ll help determine if olmesartan is the cause and whether you should continue taking the drug. They can also recommend ways to manage low blood pressure.
Severe diarrhea
In studies, sprue-like enteropathy (severe, long-term diarrhea) occurred in people taking olmesartan oral tablet. Although this side effect is rare, it may be serious.
Severe diarrhea can happen after you take olmesartan for a long time, including months to years after starting the medication. And it can come with significant weight loss.
Ways to manage
If you experience severe or consistent diarrhea, tell your doctor. They’ll help determine the cause and recommend whether you should stop taking olmesartan.
High potassium levels
Olmesartan can cause hyperkalemia (high blood potassium level). In some cases, this side effect may be serious.
Symptoms depend on your blood level of potassium. If it’s not too high, you may not experience any symptoms. If it’s high enough to cause symptoms, these may include:
Certain factors can increase the risk of hyperkalemia with olmesartan oral tablet. These include:
- kidney problems
- diabetes
- use of other substances that increase potassium levels, including potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes, and certain types of diuretics
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of hyperkalemia, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely order a blood test to check your potassium levels and recommend treatment if the level is high. In extreme cases, you may need to stay at the hospital until your levels return to the expected range.
For some people, olmesartan oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to olmesartan oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for olmesartan
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking olmesartan oral tablet.
Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm
Olmesartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Olmesartan and pregnancy” section below.
Other warnings
It may not be safe for you to take olmesartan oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether olmesartan oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking olmesartan oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Olmesartan and pregnancy
Olmesartan oral tablet should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with olmesartan.
Risk of fetal harm
Olmesartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
You should not take olmesartan if you’re pregnant. Taking olmesartan while pregnant can cause serious harm to your unborn fetus or even pregnancy loss.
If you become pregnant while taking olmesartan, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll have you stop taking olmesartan and can discuss other treatments for your high blood pressure.
Olmesartan and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether olmesartan oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Drinking alcohol with olmesartan may increase the risk of certain side effects, such as dizziness.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe for you to consume while taking olmesartan
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of olmesartan oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do the side effects of olmesartan compare with other drugs used for my condition?
- Is the risk of dizziness highest when I first start taking olmesartan?
- Is it safe to drink alcohol in moderation while taking olmesartan?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
