Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide
About
Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide is an 'anti-hypertensives' medication primarily used for lowering the 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+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of two medicines, namely: Olmesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide. Olmesartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that works by blocking 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 electrolytes overload from the body. Together, Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide lowers the fluid overload, raised blood pressure, improves blood flow, and reduce the future risk of a heart attack and stroke.
You can take Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide with food or without food 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. You may experience nausea, upset stomach, dehydration, headache, diarrhoea, electrolyte imbalance, dizziness, and decreased blood pressure in some cases. Most of these side effects of Olmesartan+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 the doctor has told you. In rare cases, Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide can cause a condition that results in the 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 any kidney or liver or heart disease or are diabetic. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide as it is category D pregnancy drug and can harm the baby. Do not use Olmesartan+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+hydrochlorothiazide
Medicinal Benefits
Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide is primarily used to reduce high blood pressure. It is a combination of two medicines, namely: Olmesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide. Olmesartan 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 electrolytes overload from the body. Together, Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide lowers the fluid overload, raised blood pressure, improves blood flow, and reduce the future risk of a heart attack and stroke.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide
- Stuffy nose/sore throat
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Headache
- High level of uric acid
- Diarrhea
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Dehydration
- Dizziness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not use Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or unable to urinate (anuria). If you have diabetes and taking Olmesartan+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+hydrochlorothiazide may pass into breast milk, so before starting Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide, either you need to stop nursing or you should not take Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide while breastfeeding. Please inform your doctor before surgery if you are taking Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide as it needs to be stopped because it might lower the blood pressure further if taken along with local anesthesia. Avoid intake of potassium salt or its substitute while using Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide to avoid any electrolytes imbalance.
Drug Interactions
Drug-drug interaction: 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 Interaction: Olmesartan+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+hydrochlorothiazide.
Drug-Disease Interaction: The efficacy of Olmesartan+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+hydrochlorothiazide to avoid unpleasant side effects like drowsiness, dizziness and liver damage.
Pregnancy
unsafeOlmesartan+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
unsafeOlmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide is known to pass breast milk, but its effect on the baby is not known. So, before breastfeeding, let your doctor know about this.
Driving
unsafeDrive with caution, Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide usually causes drowsiness and affects driving ability.
Liver
cautionOlmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide to be taken with caution, especially if you have had a history of liver disease. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Kidney
cautionOlmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide to be taken with caution, especially if you have had a history of kidney disease. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Children
cautionEfficacy and safety of Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide have not been established in children. If prescribed, it should be strictly under medical supervision and only if the benefits outweigh the harms.
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.
- 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 to lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
- Do not use Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or unable to urinate.
- If you have diabetes and taking Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide with other blood pressure-lowering pills like 'aliskiren,' immediately stop taking both together and consult a doctor, as it may cause serious complications.
- Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while using Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide unless your doctor has told you to do so.
- If you are taking medicines for lowering raised cholesterol or fat like 'cholestyramine,' avoid taking Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide within 4 hours before or after you take Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide to avoid drug interaction.
- If you have diabetes, this product may affect your bloos sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor.
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 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+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of two medicines, namely: Olmesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide. Olmesartan 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, blood pressure, improves blood flow, and reduce the future risk of a heart attack.
Yes, Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide can cause dizziness. It is advised to avoid driving or operate any heavy machinery while taking Olmesartan+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+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+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 the doses together. Take only one dose; taking a double dose of Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide will lead to low blood pressure.
Olmesartan+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+hydrochlorothiazide may lead to increased blood pressure with a high risk of heart attack and stroke in the 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.
Do not use Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or unable to urinate. If you have diabetes and taking Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide with other blood pressure-lowering pills like 'aliskiren,' immediately stop taking both together and consult a doctor.
Please inform your doctor before surgery if you are taking Olmesartan+hydrochlorothiazide as it needs to be stopped because it might lower the blood pressure further if taken along with local anesthesia.
