Benicar is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) approved for the treatment of hypertension. This once-daily oral tablet that may be administered alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.

Hypertension, the term used for abnormally high blood pressure, is the most common health problem in the United States. Over 50 million Americans suffer from hypertension, but many are unaware of the problem and remain untreated. Left untreated, it can lead to serious and life-threatening events including stroke and heart attack.

Approval of Benicar is supported by 7 placebo-controlled studies, with doses ranging from 2.5 to 80 mg, given for six to 12 weeks. The trials included more than 3275 subjects with essential hypertension. All seven studies reported significant reductions in peak and trough levels of diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Response was dose-related, with 20 mg and 40 mg doses inducing the desired effect and doses over 40 mg having little additional effect. The blood pressure lowering effect from using Benicar once-daily was maintained throughout the 24 hour period, with trough-to-peak ratios for systolic and diastolic response between 60 and 80%.

Adverse events associated with the use of Benicar may include (but are not limited to) the following:

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• Dizziness

Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) blocks the vasoconstrictive effects of angiotensin II by selectively blocking the binding of angiotensin II to the AT receptor in vascular smooth muscle.

For additional information on Benicar, please visit www.benicar.com.