Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone
About
Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone belongs to the class of medicines called antihypertensives primarily used to treat high blood pressure. Hypertension or high blood pressure is a chronic condition in which the force exerted by the blood against the artery wall is high. As a result, it leads to heart diseases, irregular heartbeat, and other complications.
Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone is a combination of two medicines namely: Olmesartan medoxomil and Chlorthalidone. Olmesartan medoxomil is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) which works by blocking the hormone angiotensin, thereby relaxing blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more smoothly and the heart to pump more efficiently. Chlorthalidone is a diuretic or water pills that removes extra water and certain electrolytes from the body. Together it lowers fluid overload, blood pressure and improves blood flow.
You can take Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone with food or without food. It should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, bite, or break it. Your doctor will advise you how often you take your tablets based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience headache, nausea, or dizziness. Most of these side effects of Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Try not to stop taking this medicine of your own. Let your doctor know about this, as it may cause a rise in blood pressure and can increase the risk of getting heart diseases and stroke. Inform your doctor if you are suffering from any kidney or liver or heart disease or are diabetic. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please tell your doctor so that the dosage of Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone can be prescribed accordingly. Do not use Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone if you are unable to urinate, are dehydrated, have low blood pressure (hypotension), cardiogenic shock (sudden stopping of blood flow to the heart). Please tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines or are allergic to this medicine. Reducing the amount of table salt (sodium chloride) in your food often relieves the swelling of the body.
Uses of Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone
Medicinal Benefits
Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone is a combination medication, generally used when a single medicine is not effective in controlling blood pressure. Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone is used to treat hypertension, where Olmesartan medoxomil works by relaxing the blood vessels. On the other hand, Chlorthalidone being diuretic works by increasing the amount of urine that is passed out from the kidneys and hence lowering the blood pressure. Together it lowers the overall raised blood pressure and reduces the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or kidney problems.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone
- Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
- Cold extremities
- Gastrointestinal disturbances including nausea
- Fatigue
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone should not be given to the people allergic to Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone, have low blood pressure (less than 90 mm of Hg), have had a heart attack, kidney disease, liver disease, pregnant women, or planning to get pregnant and breastfeeding women. Besides this, it is contraindicated in low blood pressure (hypotension), cardiogenic shock (sudden stopping of blood flow to the heart), and aortic stenosis (heart valve problem). Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone can pass into breast milk, but its effect on the baby is not known. So, it is better to tell your doctor if you are taking Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone and breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone may interact with other high blood pressure-lowering pills (benazepril, metoprolol, ramipril, hydrochlorothiazide, simvastatin, diltiazem, verapamil, azilsartan, benazepril, lisinopril, amiloride), and can lower your blood pressure leading to severe condition. Besides this, medicine to treat erectile dysfunction (sildenafil), antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, rifampicin), antifungal (itraconazole, ketoconazole), anti-HIV drugs (ritonavir), anti-epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone), immune-suppressing drugs (cyclosporine, tacrolimus), and pain killers (ibuprofen, aspirin) should not be taken with Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone.
Drug-Food Interaction: Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone severely interacts with grapefruit, grapefruit juices, and St. John’s wort (a plant used to treat depression). Hence it should not be taken with Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone should not be given to people with cardiogenic shock (when the heart fails to pump required blood to the body), heart valve problem (stenosis), low blood pressure (hypotension), coronary heart disease, liver disease, renal impairment, or heart failure.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeOlmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone should not be taken until prescribed. Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone is a Category C/D pregnancy drug which is considered unsafe for pregnant women. Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone can have some harmful effects on the baby (foetus), Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast Feeding
unsafeOlmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone is not recommended in breastfeeding mothers. It is excreted into milk in small amounts and is cleared slowly. It can accumulate in the infant, especially newborns or preterm infants. Lactation might also be suppressed due to the effect of Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone.
Driving
unsafeIt is not recommended to drive after taking Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone as it may occasionally cause drowsiness or fatigue.
Liver
cautionOlmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionOlmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeUse of Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone in children less than 1 year of age is not recommended as the safety and efficacy of Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone in these age groups have not yet been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with 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.
- Opt for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy products.
- 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 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 can help in lowering your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone as drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause severe injury and even death to the developing fetus (unborn baby).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a chronic condition when 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 heart attack (when 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 the pressure when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg and, diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg.
FAQs
Yes, Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone can cause dizziness. It is advised to avoid driving or operate any heavy machinery while taking Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone. In case you feel dizzy or lightheaded, it is advised to rest for some time until you feel better.
Taking Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone may cause dehydration. So, to avoid dehydration, drink plenty of fluids and inform your doctor if you feel extremely thirsty.
Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone may cause dizziness, if you are lying down or sitting get up slowly to avoid it.
It's unlikely that Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone affects fertility in men or women. However, some water pills like hydrochlorothiazide may lead to erectile dysfunction. There's not enough evidence to say for certain. For best advise, consult your doctor.
In case, you have missed a dose of Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone, 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 Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone will lead to low blood pressure.
Olmesartan Medoxomil+chlorthalidone 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.
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.
