Olmesartan+amlodipine

Olmesartan+amlodipine should not be given to people allergic to Olmesartan+amlodipine or many of its ingredients. If you have low blood pressure (less than 90 mm of Hg), have had a heart attack, kidney disease, or liver disease, are pregnant, or planning to get pregnant and breastfeeding women; do not take Olmesartan+amlodipine. 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+amlodipine can pass into breast milk, but its effect on the baby is unknown. So, it is better to tell your doctor if you take Olmesartan+amlodipine and breastfeeding. Grapefruit juice and St. John's wort plant should not be consumed when taking Olmesartan+amlodipine as it is contraindicated. Drinking alcohol while using Olmesartan+amlodipine can cause low blood pressure, so avoid alcoholic beverages.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Olmesartan+amlodipine may interact with high blood pressure lowering pills (aliskiren, metoprolol, ramipril, hydrochlorothiazide). These drugs may enhance potassium levels in the blood, such as ACE inhibitors (benazepril/lisinopril, birth control pills) and painkillers (ibuprofen, aspirin).

Drug-Food Interactions: Olmesartan+amlodipine may interact with grapefruit, grapefruit juices, and St. John’s wort (a plant used to treat depression). Hence it should not be taken with Olmesartan+amlodipine.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Olmesartan+amlodipine should not be given to people with cardiogenic shock (when the heart fails to pump required blood to the body), heart valve problems (stenosis), low blood pressure (hypotension), heart failure, liver or kidney diseases.

• Keep your weight under control with 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 lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm Hg.
• Opt for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy products.
• Limit sodium chloride (table salt) intake in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
• 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, immediately contact your doctor.
• Try to include heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids containing food and 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.

• When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Olmesartan+amlodipine as drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause severe injury and even death to the developing fetus (unborn baby).
• Olmesartan+amlodipine should be taken at the same time every day for its maximum effects to be seen and for increased compliance.
• Consumption of Olmesartan+amlodipine may cause dizziness. Avoid activities like driving while on this medication.
• A sudden drop in blood pressure may be seen while on this medication, especially when you start taking it, leading to dizziness. Changing your posture at a slower rate might help counter this. 
• Ankle swelling is sometimes seen as a side effect of Olmesartan+amlodipine as it contains amlodipine. Consult your doctor if this or other side effects cause trouble or are persistent.