Olmesartan
About Olmesartan
Olmesartan is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). By helping to control blood pressure, it reduces strain on the heart and blood vessels and supports long-term cardiovascular health. It helps lower your risk of serious cardiovascular events like strokes and heart attacks. It belongs to a class of medications that relax blood vessels to improve blood flow.
To get the most benefit, you should take Olmesartan consistently every day at the same time. You can take this tablet with or without food, making it easy to fit into your daily routine. Adopting a heart-healthy diet low in salt and staying physically active can further support the action of this medication and improve your long-term health outcomes.
Most people tolerate this medication well, but some may experience mild side effects like dizziness or lightheadedness as their body adjusts. However, if you experience severe symptoms such as swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or unexplained severe diarrhoea, you must contact your doctor immediately. Regular check-ups are important to ensure the medication is working safely for you.
Talk to your doctor before starting Olmesartan if you have kidney disease, liver damage, or severe dehydration. You must not take this medicine if you are pregnant, as it can cause serious harm or even death to an unborn baby. Always inform your healthcare provider of your complete medical history before beginning treatment.
This medication can interact with other blood pressure drugs, potassium supplements, and certain pain relievers, which may affect how it works or increase your risk of side effects. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine as it can worsen dizziness. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or elderly individuals should consult their doctor for personalised safety guidance.
Uses of Olmesartan
Medicinal Benefits
Olmesartan helps lower and control high blood pressure, supporting long-term cardiovascular health and reducing the risk of complications associated with hypertension. Olmesartan offers the following benefits in managing high blood pressure:
- Lowers Blood Pressure: Helps reduce and maintain blood pressure within a healthy range.
- Protects Vital Organs: Helps reduce strain on the heart, kidneys, brain, and blood vessels, supporting their long-term health.
- Reduces Cardiovascular Risk: Effective blood pressure control may help lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications.
- Supports Heart Health: Helps the heart work more efficiently by reducing the pressure against which it must pump blood.
- Provides 24-Hour Control: Offers round-the-clock blood pressure management with convenient once-daily dosing.
Directions for Use
To use Olmesartan safely and effectively, follow these instructions:
- Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush, or break the tablet.
- Take your dose at the same time every day to maintain a steady level of the medicine in your body.
- You may take this medication with or without food.
- Always follow your doctor's exact instructions regarding how and when to take this medicine. Do not stop taking it suddenly, even if
- you feel well, as high blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Storage
Side Effects of Olmesartan
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headache
- Nausea or stomach upset
- Flu-like symptoms or runny nose
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and difficulty breathing
- Severe, ongoing watery diarrhoea accompanied by significant weight loss
- A sudden decrease in urination or swelling in your feet and ankles, which may indicate kidney problems
- Muscle weakness or a slow, irregular heartbeat, which can be signs of high potassium levels in the blood
Medicines Containing this Salt
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Drug Warnings
- Monitor Blood Pressure: Check your blood pressure regularly and maintain a record to share with your healthcare provider.
- Stand Up Slowly: Rise gradually from sitting or lying positions to help prevent dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Attend Regular Blood Tests: Have your kidney function and potassium levels monitored as recommended by your doctor.
- Report Persistent Diarrhoea: Contact your doctor if you develop severe or ongoing diarrhoea while taking Olmesartan.
- Check Before Starting New Medicines: Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, or herbal supplements.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may interact with Olmesartan:
- Other Blood Pressure Medicines and Diuretics: Taking Olmesartan with other blood pressure-lowering medicines or water tablets may increase the risk of excessive blood pressure reduction.
- Potassium Supplements and Potassium-Sparing Diuretics: These medicines may increase potassium levels in the blood and raise the risk of hyperkalaemia.
- NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, may reduce the effectiveness of Olmesartan and increase the risk of kidney problems.
- Lithium: Olmesartan may increase lithium levels in the body and raise the risk of lithium toxicity.
Drug-Food Interactions
The following food and drink interactions may affect how Olmesartan works:
- Potassium-rich foods and salt substitutes: Consuming large amounts of potassium-rich foods or using potassium-containing salt substitutes while taking this medication can raise potassium levels in your blood, which can be dangerous for your heart.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can lower your blood pressure further, increasing the risk of dizziness and fainting.
Drug-Disease Interactions
Inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions before taking Olmesartan:
- Kidney Disease: This medicine can affect kidney function, so close monitoring is required if you have pre-existing kidney problems.
- Renal Artery Stenosis: If you have narrowing of the arteries leading to your kidneys, taking this medication may severely reduce your kidney function.
- Dehydration or Low Blood Volume: If you are severely dehydrated or have low salt levels due to intense sweating, vomiting, or diarrhoea, this medication may cause a severe drop in blood pressure.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid consumption of alcohol while taking Olmesartan as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure and cause adverse effects such as dizziness, fainting, light-headedness, or headache.
Pregnancy
unsafeOlmesartan is unsafe to use during pregnancy since it affects the fetus. Please consult your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or already pregnant before starting Olmesartan.
Breast Feeding
cautionThe safe use of Olmesartan in breastfeeding mothers has not yet been established. So, it should be used in breastfeeding women only when prescribed by a doctor.
Driving
cautionOlmesartan may cause dizziness or tiredness in some people. So, make sure you are not affected before driving or operating machinery.
Liver
cautionTake Olmesartan with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Olmesartan is not recommended for patients with severe liver disease.
Kidney
cautionTake Olmesartan with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Olmesartan is not recommended for patients with severe kidney disease.
Children
cautionOlmesartan is not recommended for children below 6 years as the safety and effectiveness in children not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Reduce sodium intake: Limit your consumption of salt, processed foods, and canned items, as excess sodium raises blood pressure and can counteract the benefits of Olmesartan.
- Avoid potassium-rich salt substitutes: Do not use salt substitutes containing potassium without consulting your doctor, as this medication can increase potassium levels in your blood.
- Stay hydrated: Drink an adequate amount of water daily. Dehydration can cause your blood pressure to drop too low when combined with this medication, leading to dizziness or kidney strain.
- Incorporate moderate exercise: Engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, for at least 30 minutes a day to naturally support healthy blood pressure.
Special Advise
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly and if you notice any fluctuations, please consult your doctor.
- A low salt diet and regular exercise are recommended along with Olmesartan for effective results.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. Blood pressure is defined as the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the amount of resistance exerted by the arteries against the blood flow. If the heart pumps more blood then arteries become narrower and in turn blood pressure becomes high. If blood pressure becomes uncontrolled, then it may cause serious heart disease including stroke and heart attack. Additionally, high blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke), and kidney failure. Blood pressure is expressed by systolic and diastolic. Systolic blood pressure represents the contraction and relaxation of the heart. Diastolic represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart beats and in a resting state. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. Hypertension is detected when systolic blood pressure is more than 140mmHg and diastolic pressure is higher than 90mmHg. Some of the symptoms of hypertension include headache, nose bleed, vomiting, and chest pain.
FAQs
Olmesartan is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and prevention of heart attack and stroke.
Olmesartan is a type of blood pressure-lowering medicine called an angiotensin receptor blocker. Olmesartan relaxes and widens your blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.
No, you are advised to inform your doctor and monitor your blood pressure for at least two weeks before stopping the Olmesartan. Depending upon your current blood pressure readings, there is a possibility your doctor may lower your medicine dosage and not recommend to discontinue it.
Olmesartan may interact with potassium supplements resulting in hyperkalemia (high level of potassium in the blood). It may cause severe adverse effects such as irregular heartbeat, muscle paralysis, and kidney failure.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Your doctor may probably tell you to stop taking Olmesartan as it lowers blood pressure (hypotension) when combined with general anaesthesia before surgery. So, please inform your doctor before surgery if you are taking Olmesartan.
Make a plan for your diet and stick to it. Consume a balanced diet which includes whole grains, proteins, fibrous fruits and vegetables. Limit intake of salt, sugar and carbohydrates. Exercise regularly and lose weight. Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption. Before beginning any diet or new food habits, consult your doctor.
Olmesartan is an antihypertensive (blood pressure lowering) medication containing Olmesartan as its active ingredient.
Olmesartan should be taken as advised by the doctor. It can be taken with or without food.
No, Olmesartan is not a blood thinner. It works by blocking the hormone angiotensin that tightens the blood vessels. Thereby, it relaxes blood vessels allowing the blood to flow more smoothly and the heart to pump more efficiently.
The side effects of Olmesartan include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness, indigestion, headache, cough or back pain. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Yes, Olmesartan can make you feel dizzy. This could happen if you suddenly get up from a lying or sitting position. To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, get up slowly if you have been sitting or lying down.
Olmesartan may lower blood pressure effectively within 1 week of starting it. However, it may take about 2 weeks to show its full benefits.
Olmesartan does not have a diuretic. Olmesartan belongs to a group of medicines called angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) used to lower high blood pressure. It relaxes the blood vessels and lowers lowers blood pressure. When prescribed by a doctor, Olmesartan can also be taken with a diuretic for providing additional benefit to lower blood pressure.
Your doctor may advise to take your first dose before bedtime, as Olmesartan can make you feel dizzy. After the very first dose you can take Olmesartan at any time of the day. However, it is essential to take it at the same time every day.
You may have to take Olmesartan for the rest of your life. Olmesartan does not cure high blood pressure but helps to control it. Even if your blood pressure is under control, do not stop taking it. It is generally considered safe to be taken for long term. In some cases, long-term use may adversely affect the kidneys and the kidneys may not function as they should. Therefore, your doctor may recommend regular blood tests to check urea, creatinine and potassium levels and to keep a track of how well your kidneys are functioning.
No, Olmesartan does not cause weight gain. However, in very rare cases, chronic diarrhoea with significant weight loss may occur. If a patient develops diarrhoea while taking Olmesartan and no other cause of diarrhoea can be assumed, then the doctor may advise the patient to discontinue it immediately and recommend another medicine.
It is recommended to consult a doctor before using Olmesartan if you are a breastfeeding mother.
No, you should not take Olmesartan if you are pregnant. This medication can cause serious harm or death to an unborn baby, especially if taken during the second and third trimesters. If you plan to become pregnant or find out you are pregnant, stop taking the medication and talk to your doctor immediately.
It is highly recommended to limit or avoid alcohol while taking Olmesartan. Alcohol can increase the blood-pressure-lowering effect of the medication, which can lead to severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting when you stand up. Talk to your doctor for personalised advice.
Yes, you should avoid using salt substitutes that contain potassium, as Olmesartan can increase potassium levels in your blood. Having too much potassium can be dangerous for your heart. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about safe dietary choices.
If you develop severe, ongoing watery diarrhoea and significant weight loss while taking Olmesartan, you should contact your doctor immediately. This could be a sign of a rare but serious intestinal issue that requires stopping the medication. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
You should be cautious when taking pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen (NSAIDs) with Olmesartan. Regular use of these pain relievers can reduce the effectiveness of your blood pressure medication and increase the risk of kidney damage. Talk to your pharmacist for safer alternatives.
