Amlodipine + Olmesartan Medoxomil

Amlodipine + Olmesartan Medoxomil is a antihypertensive combination (calcium channel blocker + arb) medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, dosage, side effects and precautions — and all brands with their current prices.

• High blood pressure (hypertension) not controlled by amlodipine or olmesartan alone
• Initial treatment when the doctor judges that two medicines will be needed to reach the target
• Patients taking amlodipine and olmesartan as separate tablets — for convenience and better adherence

Your doctor will select the strength of Amlodipine + Olmesartan Medoxomil according to your blood pressure readings and previous medicines, and may adjust it after 1–2 weeks once the full effect is visible.

• Take once daily at the same time, with or without food.
• Swallow whole with water.
• If you miss a dose, take it the same day when remembered; if the next dose is near, skip it — never take two together.
• Keep monitoring your pressure at home if possible and bring the record to follow-ups.

This is a long-term medicine. Never stop Amlodipine + Olmesartan Medoxomil on your own, even when every reading looks normal — the readings are normal because the medicine is working. Stopping lets the pressure climb back silently.

Possible side effects include:

• Ankle or foot swelling (amlodipine — usually less in this combination)
• Dizziness, light-headedness, especially on standing
• Flushing, warmth in the face, palpitations
• Headache, tiredness
• Raised blood potassium (olmesartan)
• Rare: chronic severe diarrhoea with weight loss (sprue-like enteropathy from olmesartan, may appear months–years later)
• Rare but serious: swelling of face, lips or throat (angioedema), severe low pressure — seek urgent care

• Monitor blood pressure regularly; attend all follow-up visits.
• Your doctor may periodically test kidney function and potassium.
• Tell your doctor about kidney or liver disease, severe heart valve narrowing (aortic stenosis), or heart failure.
• Dehydration from vomiting, diarrhoea, diuretics or a strict low-salt diet can cause an exaggerated pressure drop at the start — report weakness or fainting.
• Rise slowly from sitting or lying; be careful driving until you know the medicine's effect.
• Avoid potassium supplements and potassium salt substitutes unless prescribed.
• Report long-lasting severe diarrhoea with weight loss.
• Avoid large amounts of grapefruit juice (amlodipine levels may rise).

• NSAID painkillers (ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen): blunt the pressure-lowering effect and stress the kidneys
• Other antihypertensives and diuretics: additive pressure drop
• Potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics: high potassium risk
• ACE inhibitors or aliskiren: dual blockade generally avoided — kidney injury, high potassium and low pressure risk
• Lithium: levels may rise
• Simvastatin (high dose): amlodipine raises its level — dose limits apply
• Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, clarithromycin): increase amlodipine levels
• Colesevelam: take this combination at least 4 hours before it

• Allergy to amlodipine, other dihydropyridines, olmesartan or any component
• Pregnancy — the olmesartan component can seriously harm the unborn baby
• Severe low blood pressure or shock
• Severe aortic stenosis, obstruction of heart outflow
• Severe bile-flow obstruction (biliary obstruction)
• Use with aliskiren in diabetic patients

Pregnancy: Contraindicated. The olmesartan component can damage the unborn baby's kidneys, reduce amniotic fluid and cause foetal death, especially in the second and third trimesters. If you become pregnant or plan to conceive, stop and contact your doctor immediately — a pregnancy-safe alternative will be started.

Lactation: Not recommended while breastfeeding because data for olmesartan are limited; amlodipine passes into milk in small amounts. Your doctor can prescribe a better-studied alternative.

Store below 30°C in a dry place, protected from light and moisture. Keep in the original pack and out of the reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date.