Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide
About
Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide belongs to a group of medications called 'anti-hypertensives' primarily used for lowering high blood pressure (hypertension) by removing extra fluid (electrolytes) from the body. High blood pressure is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against the artery wall is high. As a result, it increases the risk of heart-related diseases like heart attack, heart failure, stroke, irregular heartbeat, and other complications.
Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of two medicines: Olmesartan medoximil and Hydrochlorothiazide. Olmesartan medoximil is a prodrug and breaks down into active form, i.e., olmesartan once absorbed in the GIT (Gastrointestinal tract). It is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that blocks the hormone angiotensin, thereby relaxing and widening the narrowed blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels, and the heart can pump more efficiently. On the other hand, Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic or water pill that works by removing extra water/fluid and certain electrolyte overload from the body. Together, Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide lowers the fluid overload, raises blood pressure, improves blood flow, and reduces the future risk of a heart attack and stroke.
You can take Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide with food or without food with a glass of water. Do not chew, bite, or break it. Your doctor will advise you on how often you take your tablets based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience nausea, upset stomach, dehydration, headache, diarrhoea, electrolyte imbalance, dizziness, and decreased blood pressure. Most of these side effects of Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes unless your doctor tells you. In rare cases, Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide can cause a condition that results in a skeletal muscle problem, leading to further kidney failure. If you notice unexplained muscle pain, dark colour urine, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or unexplained tiredness, immediately contact the 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 increase heart disease and stroke risk. Inform your doctor if you are suffering from kidney, liver, or heart disease or are diabetic. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide as it is a category D pregnancy drug and may harm the baby. Do not use Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide if you cannot urinate, are dehydrated, have low blood pressure (hypotension), and have or have had 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 table salt (sodium chloride) in your food often helps lower blood pressure.
Uses of Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide
Medicinal Benefits
Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide is primarily used to treat high blood pressure. Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of two medicines: Olmesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide. Olmesartan medoximil is a prodrug and breaks down into active form, i.e., olmesartan once absorbed in the GIT (Gastrointestinal tract). It is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that blocks the hormone angiotensin and relaxes blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels, and the heart can pump more efficiently. Hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic or water pill); removes extra water and certain electrolytes from the body. Together, both lower fluid overload, and blood pressure, improve blood flow and reduce the future risk of a heart attack.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide
- Stuffy nose/sore throat
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Headache
- High level of uric acid
- Diarrhoea
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Dehydration
- Dizziness
- Decreased blood pressure
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not use Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or unable to urinate (anuria). If you have diabetes and taking Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide with other blood pressure-lowering pills like 'aliskiren', immediately stop taking both together and consult a doctor. 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+hydrochlorothiazide may pass into breast milk, so before starting Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide, either you need to stop nursing, or you should not take Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide while breastfeeding. Please inform your doctor before surgery if you are taking Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide as it needs to be stopped because it might lower the blood pressure further if taken along with local anaesthesia. Avoid potassium salt or its substitute intake while using Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide to avoid any electrolyte imbalance.
Drug Interactions
Drug-drug interactions: This medicine may interact with an antidepressant (lithium), heart rhythm controlling medicines (digoxin), blood thinner (aspirin), antidiabetic medicines (metformin, insulin), medicines used to treat erectile dysfunction (sildenafil), medicines used to lower cholesterol levels (simvastatin), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), and other anti-hypertensive medicines (atenolol, aliskiren, enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril, metoprolol), pain killers (ibuprofen), medicines for treating stomach ulcers (carbenoxolone).
Drug-food Interactions: Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide may interact with high potassium-containing food and drinks. So, if you are using any of the OTC items, please tell your doctor. Also, alcohol should not be consumed while taking Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide.
Drug-Disease Interactions: The efficacy of Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide is affected, and the disease condition may even worsen if taken in patients with a recent or history of heart attack, low blood pressure, low potassium level, low electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, etc.), anuria (non-passage of urine), angioedema (an allergic condition with swelling under the skin), lupus (an autoimmune disease), kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, diabetes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol and Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide to avoid unpleasant side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and liver damage.
Pregnancy
cautionOlmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended during pregnancy as it is a category D pregnancy drug. This medicine may cause fetal damage and can affect the unborn baby (fetus).
Breast Feeding
cautionOlmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide is known to pass breast milk, but its effect on the baby is unknown. So, before breastfeeding, let your doctor know about this. Either you need to stop breastfeeding for using Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide, or you need to stop takingOlmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide.
Driving
unsafeDrive with caution. Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide usually causes drowsiness and affects driving ability.
Liver
cautionOlmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide to be taken with caution, especially if you have a liver disease history. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Kidney
cautionOlmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide to be taken with caution, especially if you have a kidney disease history. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Children
cautionEfficacy and safety of Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide have not been established in children. If prescribed, it should be strictly under medical supervision and only if the benefits outweigh the harm.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Consume antioxidant-rich food. Blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash, and bell peppers are high in antioxidants.
- Eat natural diuretic foods. Asparagus, beets, green beans, grapes, onion, leafy greens, pineapple, leeks, pumpkin, and garlic are all-natural diuretic foods.
- Use healthy cooking oils like soybean, olive, canola, and coconut oil.
- You should avoid refined foods such as white bread, spaghetti, sugar, and red meat.
- Reduce or eliminate Trans fatty acids, which are found in commercially baked items such as cookies, cakes, crackers, French fries, onion rings, doughnuts, and processed foods.
- Avoid consumption of too much salt or salty food.
- Keep your weight under control with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- Regular physical activity or exercise like walking improves your blood flow.
- Avoid chronic stress, as it can raise your blood pressure.
- Spend time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Quitting smoking and alcohol consumption is the best strategy to lower the risk of many health complications.
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 our heart uses to pump blood to all body parts. 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
Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of two medicines: Olmesartan medoximil and Hydrochlorothiazide. Olmesartan medoximil is a prodrug and breaks down into active form, i.e., olmesartan once absorbed in the GIT (Gastrointestinal tract). It is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that blocks the hormone angiotensin, thereby relaxing and widening the narrowed blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels, and the heart can pump more efficiently. On the other hand, Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic or water pill that works by removing extra water/fluid and certain electrolyte overload from the body. Together, Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide lowers the fluid overload, raises blood pressure, improves blood flow, and reduces the future risk of a heart attack and stroke.
Yes, Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide can cause dizziness. It is advised to avoid driving or operate any heavy machinery while taking Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide. In case you feel dizzy or lightheaded, it is advised to rest for some time until you feel better.
It's unlikely that Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide affects fertility in men or women. However, in some cases, some water pills like hydrochlorothiazide may lead to erectile dysfunction. For the best advice, please consult your doctor.
In case you have missed a dose of Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide, 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 doses together. Take only one dose; taking a double dose of Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide will lead to low blood pressure.
Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide 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. Discontinuing Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide may lead to increased blood pressure with a high risk of heart attack and stroke in future.
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.
Please inform your doctor before surgery if you are taking Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide as it needs to be stopped because it might lower the blood pressure further if taken along with local anaesthesia.
Do not use Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or unable to urinate. If you have diabetes and taking Olmesartan Medoxomil+hydrochlorothiazide with other blood pressure-lowering pills like 'aliskiren' immediately stop taking both together and consult a doctor.
