OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL belongs to a group of medications called 'anti-hypertensives' primarily used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure is a chronic (long-term) condition in which blood pressure is elevated persistently at higher than normal levels. If left untreated, this condition can increase the risk of heart-related diseases like heart attack, heart failure, stroke, irregular heartbeat, and other complications.
OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL contains ‘Olmesartan medoxomil’ which is a prodrug and is hydrolyzed to olmesartan during absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. It is an angiotensin-II receptor blocker (ARB) that narrows the blood vessels increasing the blood pressure, therefore blocking angiotensin can result in the widening of the narrowed blood vessels. This effect allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels.
Take OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL as prescribed. Your doctor will advise you on how often you take OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL based on your medical condition. The common side-effects of OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL are dizziness, headache, nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, stomach pain, and sore throat. Most of these side effects of OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Do not take OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL if you are allergic to ‘olmesartan medoximil’ or any ingredients present in it. OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL should not be used in pregnant women, patients suffering from jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) or gallbladder blockage, patients having diabetes or kidney failure, and using blood pressure-lowering medicine containing aliskiren. Inform your doctor if you are taking potassium supplements or any other prescription or non-prescription drugs.
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL contains ‘Olmesartan medoximil’ which belongs to the class of ‘antihypertensives’. It is primarily used to reduce high blood pressure. It is an angiotensin-II receptor blocker (ARB) that blocks the hormone angiotensin. Angiotensin narrows the blood vessels increasing the blood pressure, therefore blocking angiotensin can result in the widening of the narrowed blood vessels. This effect allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels and thus lowering blood pressure.
Do not take OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL if you are allergic to ‘olmesartan medoximil’ or any other ingredients present in it. Inform your doctor if you have kidney problems, liver disease, heart problems, diabetes or kidney problems and taking blood pressure-lowering medication containing aliskiren. Also, inform your doctor if you are taking any prescription or non-prescription drugs and nutritional supplements. During treatment, seek medical attention if you experience severe, persistent diarrhoea and substantial weight loss. It is not used in children below 2 years of age, pregnant women and should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers.
Drug-drug interactions: OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL may interact with other antihypertensives (enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril, and aliskiren), potassium supplements, blood thinner (heparin), a medicine used to treat depression (lithium), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, aceclofenac, and diclofenac), a lipid-lowering drug (colesevelam) and certain antacid (cimetidine, ranitidine).
Drug-food interactions: OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL may interact with high potassium-containing food and drinks. Also, alcohol should not be consumed while taking OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL.
Drug-disease interactions: OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems, liver disease, heart failure or problems with your heart valves or heart muscle, diabetes, hyperkalemia (increased potassium levels in the blood), and adrenal gland problems.
Alcohol should not be taken while using OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL. It may worsen the health condition.
OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL is a category C medicine and causes harmful effects to the fetus. So it is not recommended to use in pregnant women.
OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers. Consult your doctor before use.
OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL may cause dizziness and affect your ability to drive.
OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases.
OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL should be used with extreme caution in patients with kidney diseases. Dose adjustments are necessary.
OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL is not recommended for use in children below 2 years of age. In children above 2 years, it should be used with caution and may require dose adjustments.
Hypertension: It is a chronic (long-term) condition in which blood pressure is elevated persistently at higher than normal levels. It occurs when the blood’s force against the wall of blood vessels is too high. This condition can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when blood supply to the heart is blocked). Additionally, high blood pressure also causes damage to the brain, kidneys, and eyes. The risk of high blood pressure complications increases with the following: obesity, smoking, diabetes, alcohol intake, lack of physical inactivity, stress and kidney diseases.