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Hydrochlorothiazide / olmesartan Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 3, 2023.

Applies to hydrochlorothiazide / olmesartan: oral tablet.

Warning

Oral route (Tablet)

Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury or death to the developing fetus when used during pregnancy. Stop therapy as soon as possible if pregnancy is detected.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, hydrochlorothiazide/olmesartan may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking hydrochlorothiazide / olmesartan:

Less common

Rare

Incidence not known

Other side effects

Some side effects of hydrochlorothiazide / olmesartan may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Less common

Incidence not known

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to hydrochlorothiazide / olmesartan: oral tablet.

General

The most common side effect was dizziness.[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Syncope

Hydrochlorothiazide:

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache

Postmarketing reports: Lightheadedness, paresthesia

Olmesartan:

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection, coughing, nasopharyngitis

Hydrochlorothiazide:

Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, nasopharyngitis, pharyngitis

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection, cough

Frequency not reported: Pneumonitis, pulmonary edema

Olmesartan:

Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, pharyngitis, rhinitis[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Vertigo, Influenza-like symptoms, chest pain, fatigue, peripheral edema

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Weakness

Postmarketing reports: Asthenia, lethargy, malaise

Hydrochlorothiazide:

Common (1% to 10%): Vertigo, influenza-like symptoms

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chest pain, fatigue, peripheral edema

Frequency not reported: Weakness, fever

Olmesartan:

Common (1% to 10%): Vertigo, chest pain, fatigue, influenza-like symptoms, peripheral edema, pain

Postmarketing reports: Asthenia, lethargy, malaise[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, gastroenteritis, nausea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia

Postmarketing reports: Sprue-like enteropathy, vomiting

Hydrochlorothiazide:

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, gastroenteritis

Frequency not reported: Sialadenitis, cramping, gastric irritation

Postmarketing reports: Constipation

Olmesartan:

Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, gastroenteritis, abdominal pain

Postmarketing reports: Vomiting, sprue-like enteropathy[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, creatine phosphokinase increased, arthralgia, arthritis, myalgia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pain in limb, spinal disorder

Postmarketing reports: Rhabdomyolysis

Hydrochlorothiazide:

Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, back pain, pain in limb

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Spinal disorder

Frequency not reported: Muscle spasm

Olmesartan:

Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, back pain, pain in limb, arthritis, skeletal pain, creatine phosphokinase increased

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Spinal disorder, myalgia

Postmarketing reports: Rhabdomyolysis[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Hyperlipemia, hyperglycemia, blood uric acid increased, hyperuricemia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood glucose increased, blood potassium decreased, blood potassium increased, hypertriglyceridemia

Postmarketing reports: Hyperkalemia

Hydrochlorothiazide:

Common (1% to 10%): Blood glucose increased, blood potassium decreased

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood uric acid increased

Frequency not reported: Hyperglycemia, glycosuria, hyperuricemia

Postmarketing reports: Anorexia, loss of appetite

Olmesartan:

Common (1% to 10%): Hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood glucose increased, blood potassium decreased, blood uric acid increased

Rare (less than 0.1%): Hyperkalemia

Frequency not reported: Hypercholesterolemia[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): GGT increased, AST increased, ALT increased

Hydrochlorothiazide:

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): ALT increased, AST increased, GGT increased

Frequency not reported: Pancreatitis, intrahepatic cholestatic jaundice

Olmesartan:

Common (1% to 10%): ALT increased, AST increased, GGT increased[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Hematuria, urinary tract infection

Hydrochlorothiazide:

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection

Olmesartan:

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, hematuria[Ref]

Psychiatric

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anxiety, insomnia

Hydrochlorothiazide:

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anxiety, insomnia

Frequency not reported: Restlessness

Postmarketing reports: Sleep disturbances, depression

Olmesartan:

Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anxiety[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash, facial edema

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eczema

Postmarketing reports: Alopecia, pruritus, urticaria

Hydrochlorothiazide:

Frequency not reported: Purpura, photosensitivity, urticaria, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis

Postmarketing reports: Rash, cutaneous lupus erythematosus-like reactions, reactivation of cutaneous lupus, erythematosus

Olmesartan:

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash

Postmarketing reports: Alopecia, pruritus, urticaria[Ref]

Immunologic

Common (1% to 10%): Influenza

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Viral infection

Frequency not reported: Angioedema

Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic reactions

Hydrochlorothiazide:

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Influenza, viral infection

Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reactions

Olmesartan:

Common (1% to 10%): Influenza

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Viral infection

Postmarketing reports: Angioedema, anaphylactic reactions[Ref]

Renal

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood creatinine increased

Postmarketing reports: Acute renal failure

Hydrochlorothiazide:

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood creatinine increased

Frequency not reported: Renal failure, renal dysfunction, interstitial nephritis

Olmesartan:

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood creatinine increased

Postmarketing reports: Acute renal failure[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitations, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension

Hydrochlorothiazide:

Frequency not reported: Vasculitis, cutaneous vasculitis

Postmarketing reports: Cardiac arrhythmias, postural hypotension

Olmesartan:

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tachycardia, angina pectoris

Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypotension[Ref]

Hematologic

Hydrochlorothiazide:

Frequency not reported: Aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia

Postmarketing reports: Bone marrow depression[Ref]

Ocular

Ocular side effects have included idiosyncratic reactions to the hydrochlorothiazide component resulting in acute transient myopia and acute angle-closure glaucoma.[Ref]

References

1. Product Information. Benicar HCT (hydrochlorothiazide-olmesartan). Sankyo Pharma. 2003.

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.