Concerned about my high blood pressure, I wrote a long message to my nephrologist detailing the data I collected today. She is out of the office but there are several nephrologists in the group and they cover each other’s messages. The main doctor, he’s also the head of the nephrology practice at the hospital, called me back and agreed that the numbers are way too high. He prescribed a new medication, Olmesartan Medoxomil, which is generic for Benicar. I’ve had a lot of hypertension medications in the past but never this one. It’s an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker, similar to Losartan and Valsartan.
Info on WebMD
The side effects don’t look that bad: dizziness but that’s the drug decreasing blood pressure; high potassium levels which I’m watching anyway; kidney problems (too late); and diarrhea. The pharmacist did mention if I get a persistent dry cough, then I should stop taking the medicine and let the doctor know. Hopefully this will help lower my blood pressure since the numbers now are kinda scary.
Life with chronic diseases 