Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone
About
Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone 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. This condition can also cause fluid retention, leading to peripheral oedema (swelling of legs and hands). 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+amlodipine+chlortalidone contains Olmesartan, Amlodipine, and Chlorthalidone. Olmesartan is an angiotensin-II receptor blocker (ARB). Angiotensin narrows the blood vessels increasing the blood pressure; therefore, blocking angiotensin can result in the widening of the narrowed blood vessels. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. It acts by relaxing the blood vessels and improving the blood flow. Chlorthalidone is a diuretic or water pill that acts by expelling excess water and salt from the body. It helps in decreasing fluid accumulation and oedema.
You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. The common side-effects of Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone are dizziness, flushing (reddening of the skin, especially the face), palpitation (pounding heartbeat), and low blood pressure. These side-effects are usually mild and resolve without requiring any medical attention. However, if any of these side-effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
It is not recommended to take Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone if you are allergic to any contents of it. It is not advised to use in patients who are allergic to sulfa drugs, are not able to urinate, and taking aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine), and have diabetes or kidney disease. It should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. It should be used with caution in elderly people. Consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of side-effects. Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone may cause dizziness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Uses of Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone
Medicinal Benefits
Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) in adults. It works by lowering the body’s production of substances that could increase heart rate and also widens narrowed blood vessels. It allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels. It also helps to reduce oedema or fluid overload. Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone is a combination of medicines, so it shows greater efficacy and tolerability when compared to monotherapies. It helps to reduce serious complications of hypertension such as heart attack, stroke, and end-stage kidney disease.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone
- Dizziness
- Flushing (reddening of the skin, especially the face)
- Palpitation (pounding heartbeat)
- Low blood pressure
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before taking Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone, inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, heart disease, chest pain, hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood), have been taking a low-salt diet, have a recent history of heart attack, gout, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone may cause imbalances in the electrolyte levels. Do not get overheated in hot weather or by doing heavy exercise. Make sure to get hydrated by drinking fluids in these conditions. If you are also taking colesevelam (a drug that treats high cholesterol) along with Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone, maintain a gap of at least 4 hours between the two medicines. Do not take any potassium supplements or salt substitutes unless advised by the doctor.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone may interact with medicines that suppress the immune system (cyclosporine and tacrolimus), antidepressants (lithium), a medicine used to treat high cholesterol (simvastatin), steroid medicines, a medicine used to treat heart disease (digoxin), antidiabetic medicines (insulin), other oral antidiabetic medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and indomethacin, etc.).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid taking potassium supplements or salt substitutes while using Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone should not be used in patients who are allergic to sulfa drugs and not able to urinate. It should be used with caution in patients with liver or kidney disease, heart disease, chest pain, hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood), a recent history of heart attack, gout, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAlcohol should not be taken while using Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone. It may worsen the health condition by increasing the risk of side-effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeOlmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone is a category C medicine and may cause harmful effects to the fetus or unborn baby. So, it is not recommended for use in pregnant women.
Breast Feeding
cautionOlmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers. Please consult your doctor before use.
Driving
cautionOlmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone may cause dizziness and affect your ability to drive. So, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionOlmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by the doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionOlmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone should be used with extreme caution in patients with kidney diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by the doctor as required.
Children
unsafeOlmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age.
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 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 spend 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 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 monitor kidney function, blood pressure, and electrolyte levels at regular intervals while using Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone.
- Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone may increase your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium, consult your doctor.
- Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone may cause orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure on standing), so rise slowly while standing up from a sitting or lying position.
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 the 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+amlodipine+chlortalidone reduces elevated blood pressure. It contains Olmesartan, Amlodipine, and Chlorthalidone. Olmesartan is an angiotensin-II receptor blocker (ARB). Angiotensin narrows the blood vessels increasing the blood pressure, therefore blocking angiotensin can result in widening of the narrowed blood vessels. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. It acts by relaxing the blood vessels and improving the blood flow. Chlorthalidone is a diuretic or water pill that acts by expelling excess water and salt from the body. It helps in decreasing fluid accumulation and oedema.
Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone 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+amlodipine+chlortalidone may lead to increased blood pressure with a high risk of heart attack and stroke in the future.
The common side-effects of Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone are dizziness, flushing (reddening of the skin, especially the face), palpitation (pounding heartbeat), and low blood pressure. These side-effects are usually mild and resolve without requiring any medical attention. However, if any of these side-effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
You should not discontinue using Olmesartan+amlodipine+chlortalidone 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+amlodipine+chlortalidone as it needs to be stopped because it might lower the blood pressure further if taken along with general anaesthesia.