Compare Benicar vs. hydrochlorothiazide
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers blood pressure.
Benicar (olmesartan) is a good blood pressure-lowering medicine that protects your kidneys, but with fewer side effects.
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3.9/ 5 average rating with 118 reviewsforBenicar
Removes water from the body, which lowers blood pressure.
Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)) is a well-tolerated water pill that's often the first-choice treatment for mild high blood pressure.
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3.3/ 5 average rating with 139 reviewsforhydrochlorothiazide
Upsides
- A first-choice blood pressure treatment for many people.
- Lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Similar to ACE inhibitors (like lisinopril), with fewer side effects like cough and swelling.
- Protects kidney function, which is especially useful for people with diabetes or mild-to-moderate kidney disease.
- Available by itself and in combination with different blood pressure medicines in a single pill.
- Does a good job getting rid of extra fluids in your body by making you urinate more.
- A first-choice blood pressure treatment. Works especially well for people of African descent.
- Lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Good option if you have high blood pressure and heart failure.
- Most people have very few side effects from Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)).
- Can be good for patients with osteoporosis since it raises the body's level of calcium.
Downsides
- Requires regular blood tests to see how the medicine is affecting your body.
- Not safe to use if you're pregnant.
- Recently became a generic, though still relatively expensive.
- Makes you urinate more often.
- Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)) doesn't work well in people with severe kidney problems.
- It can increase the risk of gout attacks in people with poor kidney function or a history of gout.
- People with a sulfa allergy may be allergic to Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)).
Used for
- High blood pressure
- Fluid retention (edema)
- High urine calcium
- Osteoporosis
- Diabetes insipidus from lithium
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$11.50
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$43.02
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Reviews
118 reviews so far
65%
saidit'sworth it
63%
saiditworked well
12%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Benicar (olmesartan)?
Leave a review139 reviews so far
47%
saidit'sworth it
31%
saiditworked well
16%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ))?
Leave a reviewSide effects
The Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Birth defects
- Women of childbearing age
- Worsening kidney problems
- History of kidney problems
- Swelling in the face and head
- African descent
- High potassium levels
- Current kidney problems
- Using medicines that increase potassium
- Using salt substitutes
- Low blood pressure
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that lower your blood pressure
- Severe diarrhea
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
- Current electrolyte imbalance
- Lower kidney function
- Dehydration
- Severe allergic reactions
- History of sulfa allergies
- Gout
- History of gout
- Current kidney problems
- Vision problems
- History of sulfa or penicillin allergies
- Higher blood sugars
- Diabetes