Olmesartan/HCTZ

Olmesartan/hydrochlorothiazide (Benicar HCT) combines an angiotensin II receptor blocker (olmesartan), which relaxes blood vessels by blocking angiotensin II's vasoconstrictive effects, with a thiazide diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide), which reduces blood volume through increased sodium and water excretion. This combination provides complementary blood-pressure-lowering mechanisms for patients who are not adequately controlled on either agent alone. As with other ARBs, it carries a boxed warning against use during pregnancy due to the risk of fetal injury, and electrolyte and kidney function monitoring is recommended, particularly in patients with renal impairment.