Q. I was put on Benicar last month to help bring my blood pressure down, since atenolol alone was not doing the job. Within four days I told the clinic I wouldn’t take any more Benicar. It made my tongue and throat swell up in a very frightening way. Is this a known side effect of Benicar?
A. Angioedema, or swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, is a potential side effect of Benicar (olmesartan). It can be severe, and if breathing is affected, it should be treated as a medical emergency. Please speak with your doctor about getting a different type of medicine to help control your blood pressure.
