Can Benicar cause dry macular degeneration to turn into the wet form of the disease?
Benicar is a drug used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). After searching the scientific literature, I found no evidence suggesting that Benicar may cause dry macular degeneration to turn into the wet form of the disease. Benicar belongs to a class of drugs known as angiotension II receptor antagonists (blockers). Some scientific studies suggest that drugs capable of blocking this class of receptors may have potential benefit in preventing choroidal neovascularization (the development of new leaky blood vessels) common to wet macular degeneration. If this is truly the case, then drugs like Benicar may also prove beneficial in the treatment of macular degeneration; however, much more study is needed before this can be proven definitively. Please inform your eye doctor that you are taking this medication and he/she can provide you with specific medical advice concerning Benicar and answer any further questions that you have.
