Azilsartan Medoxomil
About
Azilsartan 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 in higher than normal levels. If left untreated, this condition can increase the risk of heart-related diseases like heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and irregular heartbeat, and leads to other complications.
Azilsartan Medoxomil contains ‘Azilsartan medoxomil’, is an angiotensin-II receptor antagonist (AIIRAs), which narrows and relaxes the constricted blood vessels increasing the blood pressure; therefore, blocking angiotensin can result in widening of the narrowed blood vessels. This effect allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels.
Take Azilsartan Medoxomil with or without food or as directed by your doctor. The doctor determines the dose and duration of the medicine. Swallow the tablet as a whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break it. The common side-effects of Azilsartan Medoxomil are dizziness, diarrhoea, low blood pressure, nausea, muscle spasms, skin rash, and itching. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience severe diarrhoea, considerable weight loss, or other unwanted effects.
Do not take Azilsartan Medoxomil if you are allergic to ‘azilsartan medoxomil’ or any ingredients present in it. A Azilsartan Medoxomil should not be used in pregnant women who are more than 3 months pregnant, patients with diabetes or kidney failure, and do not use blood pressure-lowering medicine containing aliskiren. Inform your doctor if you are taking potassium supplements or any other prescription or non-prescription drugs. Azilsartan Medoxomil is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Uses of Azilsartan Medoxomil
Medicinal Benefits
Azilsartan Medoxomil contains ‘Azilsartan medoxomil’ 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 widen the narrowed blood vessels. This effect allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Azilsartan Medoxomil
- Dizziness
- Diarrhoea
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea
- Muscle spasms
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Azilsartan Medoxomil if you are allergic to ‘azilsartan medoxomil’ or any other ingredients present in it. Inform your doctor if you have 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. Take Azilsartan Medoxomil with caution if you have kidney, severe liver disease, have a disease of the adrenal gland called primary hyperaldosteronism, have raised potassium levels in the blood, or if you are on dialysis. During treatment, seek medical attention if you experience severe, persistent diarrhoea and substantial weight loss.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Azilsartan Medoxomil may interact with Lithium (a medicine for mental health problems), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, heparin (a medicine for thinning the blood), diuretics (water tablets), Aliskiren or other medicines to lower your blood pressure (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker, such as enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril or valsartan, telmisartan).
Drug-Food Interactions: Azilsartan Medoxomil may interact with high potassium-containing food and drinks. Also, alcohol should not be consumed while taking Azilsartan Medoxomil.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Azilsartan Medoxomil should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems, liver disease, heart failure, diabetes, hyperkalemia (increased potassium levels in the blood), and adrenal gland problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAlcohol should not be taken while using Azilsartan Medoxomil. It may worsen the health condition.
Pregnancy
unsafeAzilsartan Medoxomil is a category C medicine and causes harmful effects to the fetus. So it is not recommended to use in pregnant women.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAzilsartan Medoxomil should not be given to breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
cautionAzilsartan Medoxomil may cause dizziness and affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionIf u have or had history or evidence of any liver-related diseases, please consult the doctor before taking medicine. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Kidney
unsafeIf u have or had history or evidence of any Kidney-related diseases, please consult the doctor before taking medicine. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Children
unsafeAzilsartan Medoxomil is not recommended for children and adolescents below 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with body mass index (BMI) 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.
- Limit alcohol intake. One serving for women and two servings for men is advisable.
- Quit smoking as it 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, 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
Your doctor may check your kidney function, blood pressure, and electrolyte levels in your blood at regular intervals while using Azilsartan Medoxomil.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
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.
FAQs
Azilsartan Medoxomil reduces elevated blood pressure. It is an angiotensin-II receptor antagonist (AIIRAs), which widens the narrowed blood vessels by blocking angiotensin (a hormone that narrows the blood vessels increasing the blood pressure).
Azilsartan Medoxomil can be safely taken as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you. High blood pressure is a life-long condition, and you should not abruptly stop taking medicine. Discontinuing Azilsartan Medoxomil may lead to increased blood pressure with a high risk of heart attack and stroke in the future.
You should not discontinue using Azilsartan Medoxomil without consulting your doctor. The doctor may monitor your blood pressure for at least two weeks before reducing the dose and gradually stopping the medicine.
Please inform your doctor before surgery if you are taking Azilsartan Medoxomil as it needs to be stopped because it might lower the blood pressure further if taken along with general anaesthesia.
Azilsartan Medoxomil may increase your blood potassium level. So potassium-rich diet and supplements should be avoided while taking Azilsartan Medoxomil to avoid any unpleasant side effects. Talk to your doctor for more information regarding this.
Usually, Azilsartan Medoxomil is prescribed for long-term treatment ranging from weeks to months for treating heart-related conditions. However, taking it for the long-term without a doctor's consent can be fatal. Hence, only take it as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you.
High blood pressure increases the workload on the arteries and heart. If untreated, it could damage the heart, brain, and kidney's blood vessels, resulting in a stroke, heart failure or kidney failure. Hypertension increases the risk of heart attacks. Therefore, anti-hypertensives such as Azilsartan Medoxomil are used to lower the blood pressure to normal, reducing the risk of developing these disorders.
If you forget to take Azilsartan Medoxomil at any time, take it as soon as you remember, then continue to take it at the usual times. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
