Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide
About Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide
Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan belongs to a group of medications called 'anti-hypertensives' primarily used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure is a chronic condition in which the force of the blood against the artery wall is high.
Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan contains Olmesartan medoximil and Hydrochlorothiazide. Olmesartan medoximil works by relaxing and widening the narrowed blood vessels. Hydrochlorothiazide works by removing excess water and fluid, as well as certain electrolyte overloads, from the body.
In some cases, you may experience nausea, upset stomach, dehydration, headache, diarrhoea, electrolyte imbalance, dizziness, and decreased blood pressure. If the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not take Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan if you are allergic to any of its components. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medications to prevent any interactions.
Uses of Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide
Medicinal Benefits
- Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
- It contains Olmesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide, which work together to control blood pressure and support heart health.
- Olmesartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that relaxes and widens blood vessels by blocking the effects of angiotensin, allowing smoother blood flow.
- Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water pill) that removes excess water and electrolytes from the body, helping to lower blood volume and pressure.
- By reducing strain on the heart and improving blood flow, Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan helps the heart pump more efficiently.
- Long-term use helps lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart-related complications associated with high blood pressure.
- The dual action of blood vessel relaxation and fluid reduction ensures effective and sustained blood pressure control.
Directions for Use
- Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan can be taken with or without food. However, avoid taking potassium-containing food and drinks while taking Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan.
- It is usually taken once daily or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide
- Stuffy nose/sore throat
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Headache
- High level of uric acid
- Diarrhea
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Dehydration
- Dizziness
Drug Warnings
- Do not use Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or unable to urinate (anuria).
- If you have diabetes and are taking Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan with other blood pressure-lowering pills like 'aliskiren', immediately stop taking both together and consult a doctor.
- Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan is contraindicated in low blood pressure (hypotension), cardiogenic shock (sudden stopping of blood flow to the heart), and aortic stenosis (heart valve problem).
- Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan may pass into breast milk, so before starting Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan, you either need to stop nursing or avoid taking Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan while breastfeeding.
- Please inform your doctor before surgery if you are taking Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan, as it needs to be stopped because it might lower the blood pressure further if taken along with local anaesthesia.
- Avoid potassium salt or its substitutes while using Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan to avoid any electrolyte imbalance.
- Let your doctor know if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements and herbal products.
Drug Interactions
Drug-drug interaction: This medicine may interact with an antidepressant (lithium), heart rhythm controlling medicines (digoxin), blood thinner (aspirin), antidiabetic medicines (metformin, insulin), medicines used to treat erectile dysfunction (sildenafil), medicines used to lower cholesterol levels (simvastatin), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), and other anti-hypertensive medicines (atenolol, aliskiren, enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril, metoprolol), pain killers (ibuprofen), medicines for treating stomach ulcers (carbenoxolone).
Drug-food Interaction: Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan may interact with foods and drinks high in potassium. So, if you are using any of the OTC items, please tell your doctor. Also, alcohol should not be consumed while taking Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan.
Drug-Disease Interaction: The efficacy of Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan is affected, and the disease condition may even worsen if taken in patients with a recent or history of heart attack, low blood pressure, low potassium level, low electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, etc.), anuria (non-passage of urine), angioedema (an allergic condition with swelling under the skin), lupus (an autoimmune disease), kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, diabetes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol and Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan to avoid unpleasant side effects like drowsiness, dizziness and liver damage.
Pregnancy
unsafeHydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan is not recommended during pregnancy as it is a category D pregnancy drug. This medicine may cause fetal damage and can affect the unborn baby (fetus).
Breast Feeding
unsafeHydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan is known to pass breast milk, but its effect on the baby is not known. So, before breastfeeding, let your doctor know about this.
Driving
unsafeDrive with caution, Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan usually causes drowsiness and affects driving ability.
Liver
cautionHydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan to be taken with caution, especially if you have had a history of liver disease. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Kidney
cautionHydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan to be taken with caution, especially if you have had a history of kidney disease. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Children
consult your doctorThe efficacy and safety of Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan have not been established in children. If prescribed, it should be strictly under medical supervision and only if the benefits outweigh the harms.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- 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 to lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm of Hg.
- 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 spend 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, then immediately contact your doctor.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
- Do not use Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or unable to urinate.
- If you have diabetes and are taking Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan with other blood pressure-lowering pills like 'aliskiren,' immediately stop taking both together and consult a doctor, as it may cause serious complications.
- Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while using Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan unless your doctor has told you to do so.
- If you are taking medicines for lowering raised cholesterol or fat like 'cholestyramine,' avoid taking Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan within 4 hours before or after you take Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan to avoid drug interaction.
- If you have diabetes, this product may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a chronic condition in which 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 a 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 when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mmHg, and the diastolic pressure is 90 mmHg. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg.
FAQs
Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan is used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension) by removing extra fluid (electrolytes) from the body.
Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan is a combination of two medicines, namely: Olmesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide. Olmesartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that blocks the hormone angiotensin and relaxes blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels, and the heart can pump more efficiently. Hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic or water pill), removes extra water and certain electrolytes from the body. Together, both lower fluid overload, blood pressure, improves blood flow, and reduce the future risk of a heart attack.
Yes, Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan can cause dizziness. It is advised to avoid driving or operate any heavy machinery while taking Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan. In case you feel dizzy or lightheaded, it is advised to rest for some time until you feel better.
It's unlikely that Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan affects fertility in men or women. However, in some cases, some water pills like hydrochlorothiazide may lead to erectile dysfunction. For the best advice, please consult your doctor.
In case you have missed a dose of Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan, you are advised to take it as soon as you remember. However, try not to miss a dose in the first place, if it's time for you to take your next dose, then do not take both the doses together. Take only one dose; taking a double dose of Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan will lead to low blood pressure.
Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan can be safely taken as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you. Conditions such as high blood pressure are life-long conditions, and one should not abruptly discontinue it without discussing it with a doctor. Discontinuing Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan may lead to increased blood pressure with a high risk of heart attack and stroke in the future.
No, you are advised to inform your doctor and monitor your blood pressure for at least two weeks before stopping the medicine. Depending upon your current blood pressure readings, there is a possibility your doctor may lower your medicine dosage and not recommend discontinuing it.
Do not use Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or unable to urinate. If you have diabetes and taking Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan with other blood pressure-lowering pills like 'aliskiren,' immediately stop taking both together and consult a doctor.
Please inform your doctor before surgery if you are taking Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan as it needs to be stopped because it might lower the blood pressure further if taken along with local anesthesia.
Essential hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that develops over time without a specific underlying cause. It is influenced by genetic factors, ageing, and lifestyle choices such as poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. Other factors include obesity, stress, and family history. While the exact cause is unknown, these risk factors increase the likelihood of developing essential hypertension.
Your doctor will advise you on how often you take Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan based on your medical condition. Taking a double dose of Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan can lead to low blood pressure and other potential side effects
If you are taking medication for high blood pressure, avoid high-sodium foods (processed foods, fast food, salty snacks), caffeine (coffee, energy drinks), and alcohol in excess, as they can interfere with medication and raise blood pressure. Limit foods high in saturated fats (fried foods, fatty meats, full-fat dairy), and be cautious with potassium-rich foods (bananas, oranges, spinach) if you are on certain medications like ACE inhibitors. Avoid liquorice and grapefruit, as they can affect medication effectiveness. Additionally, reduce high-sugar foods and drinks, as they can contribute to weight gain and higher blood pressure.
Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan shows effect within 2 weeks. Maximum benefits are typically achieved within 8 weeks. Completing the full course of treatment is important for the Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan effectiveness
Your doctor decides the best time to take Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan. Follow your doctor’s instructions. But try to take Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan at the same time each day.
While using Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan, maintain a healthy BMI (19.5–24.9) and engage in at least 150 minutes of exercise weekly to help lower blood pressure. Limit salt intake to 1500–2300 mg/day, consume alcohol in moderation (one drink for women, two for men), and quit smoking to reduce heart disease risk. Manage stress with mindfulness and quality time, monitor blood pressure regularly, and consult a doctor if fluctuations occur. Include omega-3-rich foods and use heart-healthy oils like olive or canola oil in your diet.
No, Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan is not known to cause weight gain. The diuretic effect of Hydrochlorothiazide in Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan may lead to weight loss in some cases due to fluid loss. However, if you have any concerns, discuss them with your doctor.
Serious side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan include kidney issues, severe allergic reactions, low blood pressure, electrolyte imbalances (weakness, irregular heartbeat), liver or pancreatic problems, dehydration, and vision changes. Seek immediate medical attention if these occur.
Store Hydrochlorothiazide+olmesartan at a temperature below 30°C in a cool and dry place as advised on the label. Protect from light and moisture. Keep it out of reach of children.
