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Blood Pressure Pill Made Tongue Swell

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.

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About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
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