Prescription medication · Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)

olmesartan

Name: olmesartan - FDA Drug Safety & Adverse Event Data
Creator: PlainMeds
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Also sold as Benicar.

Compiled by PlainMeds Editorial, Drug Information Editorial Team

Data updated 2026-05-15

7
InteractionsFew interactions: 99% less
Generic vs brandHuge savings: $10.27
Brand price (NADAC)

What the data shows

olmesartan (Benicar) is a prescription Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB), whose generic costs a fraction of the brand (about 99% less).

Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.

Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Brand Price

$10.27/unit

Generic Price

$0.08/unit

Generic Savings

99%

Generic Available

Yes (31 manufacturers)

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

View Alternatives → Compare with Another Drug →

What it does

Information not available.

Common side effects

Nausea, High uric acid levels in the blood, Dizziness

Key warnings

No specific warnings noted. Always follow your prescriber's instructions.

Known Drug Interactions

major aliskiren

7.4 Dual Blockade of the Renin Angiotensin System Dual blockade of the RAS with angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, or aliskiren is associated with increased risks of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and changes in renal function (including acute renal failure) compared to monotherapy. Do not co-administer aliskiren with olmesartan medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide in patients with diabetes [see Contraindications (4) ]. Avoid use of aliskiren with olmesartan medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide in patients with renal impairment (GFR <60 ml/min).

Mechanism: Both drugs block the same system that controls blood pressure, which can put too much strain on your kidneys. This increases the risk of dangerously low blood pressure and high potassium levels.

What to do: Avoid using these medicines together, especially if you have diabetes or kidney disease. Your doctor will need to check your blood and kidney health often.

moderate hydrochlorothiazide

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Lithium: Risk of lithium toxicity ( 7.2 ) Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Reduced diuretic, natriuretic and antihypotensive effects; increased risk of renal toxicity ( 7.3 ) Dual inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system: Increased risk of renal impairment, hypotension, and hyperkalemia ( 7.4 ) Colesevelam hydrochloride: Consider administering olmesartan at least 4 hours before colesevelam hydrochloride dose ( 7.5 ) Antidiabetic drugs: Dosage adjustment may be required ( 7.6 ) Cholestyramine and colestipol: Reduced absorption of thiazides ( 7.6 ) 7.1...

Mechanism: Both drugs work to lower blood pressure, which can increase the risk of your blood pressure dropping too low or your kidney function changing.

What to do: Your doctor should monitor your blood pressure and kidney health regularly while you are taking this combination.

moderate lithium

Mechanism: Olmesartan can make it harder for your kidneys to remove lithium from your body, which can lead to dangerously high lithium levels.

What to do: Your doctor should check your lithium blood levels frequently to prevent toxicity.

moderate colesevelam

Mechanism: Colesevelam can stick to olmesartan in your stomach, which prevents your body from absorbing the blood pressure medicine correctly.

What to do: You should take your olmesartan dose at least 4 hours before you take colesevelam.

moderate cholestyramine

Mechanism: Cholestyramine can trap other medicines in your gut, which prevents your body from absorbing them properly. This can make your blood pressure medicine less effective.

What to do: You should talk to your doctor about how to time your doses. They may suggest taking your blood pressure medicine at least 4 hours before the cholestyramine.

Check all your medications →

This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.

Common Questions

What are the common side effects of olmesartan?

The most commonly reported side effects of olmesartan include Nausea, High uric acid levels in the blood, Dizziness, Upper respiratory infection (like a cold). Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.

Does olmesartan interact with other medications?

Yes, olmesartan has 7 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include aliskiren, hydrochlorothiazide, lithium. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.

What drug class is olmesartan?

olmesartan belongs to the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx).

Is there a generic version of olmesartan?

Yes, generic olmesartan is available from 31 manufacturers. The generic costs $0.08 per unit compared to $10.27 for the brand version, saving approximately 99%. Pricing is based on NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) data from CMS.

Related Medications in Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)

Other drugs grouped near olmesartan - same-class peers and common alternatives.

acebutolol

Sectral

Acebutolol is a medicine that helps lower blood pressure and control irregular heartbeats.

Compare with olmesartan →

aliskiren

Tekturna

Tekturna is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure.

Compare with olmesartan →

amiloride

Midamor

Amiloride is a water pill that helps your body hold onto potassium.

Compare with olmesartan →

amlodipine

Norvasc

Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a drug that lowers blood pressure and treats chest pain.

Compare with olmesartan →

amlodipine/benazepril

Lotrel

Lotrel is a combination medicine that contains amlodipine and benazepril.

Compare with olmesartan →

Compare olmesartan vs acebutolol side-by-side →

Medication Guides

Understanding Drug Interactions

How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications

Generic vs Brand Name Drugs

FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters

Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs

Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring

Common Drug Interactions

Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself

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What the FDA Data Shows for olmesartan

The FDA label for olmesartan (sold under brand names such as Benicar) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) class. Regulatory labeling describes its approved uses and the patient populations studied in pre-market trials. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Nausea, High uric acid levels in the blood, Dizziness.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. Voluntary reports accumulate over the lifetime of a drug and reflect wide-ranging clinical use. The database also lists 7 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.08 versus $10.27 for the brand - a 99% generic savings.

Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: January 19, 2026

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.

All federal data sources used on this page

FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages