Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet belongs to the class of medications called ‘antihypertensives’. It is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Hypertension is a lifelong condition in which there is a persistent rise in blood pressure. The rise in blood pressure occurs when the force exerted by the blood against the blood vessel (arteries wall) increases. The higher the blood pressure, the harder the heart has to pump. As a result, it leads to heart disease, irregular heartbeat, and other complications.

Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet contains Benidipine and Chlorthalidone. Benidipine blocks the calcium channels present in the blood vessels of the heart. This effect widens the blood vessels lowering the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of blood vessels. It decreases the workload on the heart and also reduces the risk of heart attack or stroke. Chlorthalidone is a diuretic or water pill. It acts by getting rid of excess water and salts in the body by increasing urination, thereby reducing blood pressure. It helps to reduce edema (fluid buildup) and swelling associated with hypertension.

Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet should be taken as advised by your doctor. The dose of the medicine will be decided by your doctor based on your health condition. Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet may cause certain common side effects such as low blood pressure (feeling light-headed), dizziness, headache, palpitations (racing or pounding heart), increased frequency of urination, and lethargy (lack of energy). These side effects resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, consult your doctor.

Do not take Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet if you are allergic to Chlorthalidone, Benidipine, or any other ingredients present in it. Avoid taking Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet if you are unable to urinate or allergic to sulfa drugs. Before taking Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet, inform your doctor if you have kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, gout (a type of arthritis), high cholesterol, aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve), cardiogenic shock (sudden stopping of blood flow to the heart), or if you are on a low-salt diet. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet contains Benidipine and Chlorthalidone. Benidipine blocks the calcium channels present in the blood vessels of the heart. This effect widens the blood vessels lowering the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of blood vessels. It decreases the workload on the heart. Chlorthalidone is a diuretic or water pill. It acts by getting rid of excess water and salts in the body by increasing urination, thereby reducing blood pressure. It helps reduce edema (fluid buildup) and swelling associated with hypertension. Thus, Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet can effectively reduce blood pressure and the complications associated with this condition such as heart attack.

• Low blood pressure (feeling light-headed)
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Palpitations (racing or pounding heart)
• Increased frequency of urination
• Lethargy (lack of energy)
• Peripheral edema (swelling of legs/hands)
• Flushing (skin reddening)
• Rash

Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet may cause electrolyte imbalances (low levels of potassium, sodium, or magnesium in your blood). So, consult your doctor immediately if you have vomiting or diarrhea, as Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet used in this condition may lead to severe dehydration. Your doctor may perform blood and urine tests to monitor electrolyte levels. Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet may cause dizziness, so avoid rising up too fast from a sitting or lying position. Stay hydrated and avoid hot weather as Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet increases the frequency of urination. Do not stop taking Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet abruptly, as it may increase the risk of a heart attack. 

Drug-drug interactions: Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet may interact with other blood pressure-lowering medications, anticancer drugs (aldesleukin), a medication used to treat arrhythmias (quinidine), antiepileptic medicine (phenytoin), antitubercular drug (rifampicin), an antibiotic (erythromycin), steroids, a medication used to treat diabetes (insulin), other oral diabetes medicines, anti-psychotic drug (lithium), and a medication used to treat heart failure (digoxin).

Drug-food interactions: You are recommended to avoid alcohol as it may increase the risk of side effects.

Drug-disease interactions: Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet is not recommended for use in patients with nil urine output (anuria). It should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, gout (a type of arthritis), high cholesterol, aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve), and cardiogenic shock (sudden stopping of blood flow to the heart).

• QUINIDINE
• ALDESLEUKIN
• PHENYTOIN
• RIFAMPICIN
• ERYTHROMYCIN
• INSULIN HUMAN
• LITHIUM
• DIGOXIN

• Keep your weight under control with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
• Do regular physical activity or exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week. Doing this can help you lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm of Hg.
• Opt for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy products.
• Limit intake of sodium chloride (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
• If you are taking alcohol, then only one serving for women and two servings for men is advisable.
• Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
• Avoid chronic stress, as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spent time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
• Monitor your blood pressure daily, and if there is too much fluctuation, immediately contact your doctor.

• Your doctor may suggest tests for monitoring your electrolyte levels, as chlorthalidone in Benidip CH 4mg/12.5mg Tablet may affect the electrolyte levels.

Hypertension: It is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Blood pressure is the measurement of the force that our heart uses to pump blood to all parts of the body. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when the blood supply to the heart is blocked). Additionally, high blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. High blood pressure can be diagnosed with the help of a blood pressure monitor or sphygmomanometer. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is the pressure when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg, and diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg.