Olmesartan Medoxomil
About
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.
Uses of Olmesartan Medoxomil
Medicinal Benefits
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.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Olmesartan Medoxomil
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Diarrhea
- stomach pain
- Sore throat
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
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 Interactions
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.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAlcohol should not be taken while using Olmesartan Medoxomil. It may worsen the health condition.
Pregnancy
unsafeOlmesartan 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
cautionOlmesartan Medoxomil should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers. Consult your doctor before use.
Driving
cautionOlmesartan Medoxomil may cause dizziness and affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionOlmesartan Medoxomil should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases.
Kidney
cautionOlmesartan Medoxomil should be used with extreme caution in patients with kidney diseases. Dose adjustments are necessary.
Children
cautionOlmesartan 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.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with a body mass index (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.
- 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 Olmesartan Medoxomil.
- Olmesartan Medoxomil may increase your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium, consult your doctor.
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
Olmesartan Medoxomil reduces elevated blood pressure. It is an angiotensin-II receptor blocker (ARB) and widens the narrowed blood vessels by blocking angiotensin (a hormone that narrows the 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 and thus lowering blood pressure.
Olmesartan 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 the medicine. Discontinuing Olmesartan Medoxomil may lead to increased blood pressure with a high risk of heart attack and stroke in the future.
You should not discontinue using Olmesartan 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 Olmesartan Medoxomil as it needs to be stopped because it might lower the blood pressure further if taken along with general anesthesia.
Olmesartan Medoxomil is a category C medicine which may cause harmful effects to the fetus. So, it is not recommended to use in pregnant women.
If it is less than 2 hours since the missed dose, take the medicine. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, do not double the dose. Take the next dose as usual at the fixed time.
