Comparison of Norvasc and Benicar: What is Best?

Norvasc (amlodipine besylate)

Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil)

What is Norvasc?

What is Benicar?
The active substance used in Norvasc, amlodipine, belongs to the class of medicines called calcium channel blockers. The active substance used in Benicar, olmesartan medoxomil, belongs to the class of medicines called angiotensin II receptor antagonists (AT1-subtype).

In what cases is Norvasc used?

In what cases is Benicar used?
  • High blood pressure (arterial hypertension)
  • Certain pain in the chest, called stenocardia, including its rare type, known as Prinzmetal’s angina or variant angina
  • Kidney disease including diabetic
  • Raynaud’s phenomenon
 High blood pressure (essential arterial hypertension)

 

How does it work?

How does it work?
In patients suffering from high blood pressure this medication causes the blood vessels to relax, which makes it easier for blood to flow through them. In patients suffering from angina Norvasc improves the blood supply to the heart muscle and therefore increases the delivery of oxygen to it, which prevents the emergence of chest pain. The medication causes the blood vessels to relax, which makes it easier for blood to flow through them. The hypotensive effect usually develops within 1–2 weeks, with the maximum effect occurring approximately 8 weeks after the start of therapy.

Positive sides

Positive sides
  • A proven remedy to control high blood pressure.
  • The blood pressure is reduced within 20 minutes.
  • The medication is effective for about 8 hours, which is longer than with other similar medications.
  • Especially good for people whose blood pressure is high only in the top number (systolic blood pressure).
  • Prevents heart attacks, strokes and kidney problems.
  • Increases a person’s ability to exercise.
  • A proven remedy to control high blood pressure.
  • Prevents heart attacks and strokes.
  • Protects renal function, an important issue for patients suffering from diabetes and kidney disease.
  • Is taken once a day, which is enough to ensure an effective and mild lowering of blood pressure within 24 hours.

 

Drawbacks

Drawbacks
  • You cannot skip doses. The medication is effective if taken on a regular basis.
  • The medication does not provide immediate pain relief in the chest caused by stenocardia, so do not use it in cases of attacks.
  • The maximum effect develops only within 2 weeks, so during this period other hypotensive drugs should be taken additionally.
  • Contraindicated during pregnancy, as it may cause fetal and neonatal damage and even fetal death.
  • In patients suffering from impaired renal function and chronic heart failure it is recommended to monitor serum potassium and creatinine concentrations as they may increase.
  • You may feel dizzy.

Dosage forms

Dosage forms
Pills dosed in 2,5 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg that can be divided in half. Pills dosed in 5 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg.

Price

Price
Lowest price

$0.43 per pill for 90 pills

 Lowest price

$0.60 per pill for 84 pills

Side effects

Side effects
As with any other drugs, Norvasc can cause side effects, but not all patients experience them.

If any of the following concurrent reactions develop, see your doctor immediately:

  • hissing respiration, chest pain, shortness of breath;
  • swelling;
  • severe skin reactions (rash, urticaria, itching, peeling, inflammation of mucous membranes, etc.);
  • myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias;
  • pancreatic inflammation, which can appear as severe abdominal or back pain.

Patients sometimes experience:

  • swelling ankles/feet;
  • dizziness;
  • lightheadedness;
  • flushing.

If the symptoms persist or worsen, see your doctor.

 Initially, patients may experience dizziness.

  • More serious side effects include:
  • severe diarrhea;
  • fainting;
  • muscle weakness and cardiac rhythm disturbances (signs of high serum potassium concentration);
  • arthritis, myalgia;
  • trouble breathing, swelling, rash (rare).

Precautions

Precautions
Inform your physician if you have a history of any of these conditions:

  • liver disease;
  • recent myocardial infarction;
  • heart failure;
  • serious increase in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis);
  • you are an elderly person and you need an increased dose;
  • allergy to the active or inactive ingredients.

Avoid eating grapefruit as it may increase the concentration of the active substance in the blood, which may lead to an unpredictable increase in the hypotensive effect of the drug.

 Inform your physician if you have a history of any of these conditions:

  • any allergies;
  • liver disease;
  • kidney disease.

Avoid drinking alcohol or limit it.

Consult your physician if you want to use potassium supplements.