Compare Captopril vs. Benicar
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers blood pressure.
Captopril is a good blood pressure-lowering medicine that protects kidney function, but you have to take it on an empty stomach.
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2.9/ 5 average rating with 106 reviewsforCaptopril
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
Upsides
- A first-choice blood pressure treatment for many people.
- Lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Protects kidney function, which is especially useful for people with diabetes or mild-to-moderate kidney disease.
- Recommended for anyone with heart failure since it lowers the risk of death and further damage to your heart.
- 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.
Downsides
- Up to 1 in 10 people can get a dry cough with this medicine. It ranges from a mild tickle in the throat to a persistent hacking cough.
- Compared to other ACE inhibitors, less flexible on when and how you take it. Captopril needs to be taken multiple times a day on an empty stomach.
- Requires a yearly blood test to see how the medicine is affecting your body.
- Not safe to use if you're pregnant.
- 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.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$18.38
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$13.12
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Reviews
106 reviews so far
34%
saidit'sworth it
25%
saiditworked well
25%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Capoten (Captopril)?
Leave a review118 reviews so far
65%
saidit'sworth it
63%
saiditworked well
12%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Benicar (olmesartan)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
Risks and risk factors
- Harm to fetus
- Women of childbearing age
- Cough
- Unusual tongue swelling
- African descent
- Heart problems due to high potassium
- Current kidney problems
- Medicine that increase potassium
- Use of salt substitute
- 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