Olmesartan Medoxomil

Olmesartan Medoxomil is a angiotensin ii receptor blocker (arb, antihypertensive) 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) in adults — alone or combined with other antihypertensives
• Hypertension in children aged 6 years and older (doctor-supervised)
• Often chosen for patients who developed a dry cough with ACE inhibitors

Your doctor will set the dose of Olmesartan Medoxomil according to your blood pressure response, age and kidney function. The dose may be increased after a few weeks if needed; the full effect develops within about 2 weeks of starting.

• Take it once daily at about the same time, with or without food.
• Swallow whole with water.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember the same day; if it is almost time for the next dose, skip it — never double up.

This is a long-term medicine. Never stop Olmesartan Medoxomil on your own, even if your blood pressure readings look normal — they are normal because the medicine is working.

Olmesartan is generally well tolerated. Possible side effects include:

• Dizziness or light-headedness, especially when standing up quickly
• Headache, tiredness
• Back pain, joint pain, flu-like symptoms
• Raised blood potassium
• Rare: severe, chronic diarrhoea with significant weight loss (sprue-like enteropathy) — may appear months to years after starting; tell your doctor
• Rare but serious: swelling of the face, lips or throat (angioedema) — seek emergency care

• Monitor your blood pressure regularly and attend all follow-up visits.
• Your doctor may check kidney function and blood potassium periodically.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart valve narrowing or are on a salt-restricted diet.
• Vomiting, diarrhoea or excessive sweating can cause dehydration and very low pressure — drink fluids and inform your doctor.
• Rise slowly from sitting or lying down to avoid dizziness.
• Avoid potassium supplements or potassium-containing salt substitutes unless prescribed.
• Report any long-lasting severe diarrhoea with weight loss.

• NSAID painkillers (ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen): may blunt the blood-pressure effect and strain the kidneys
• Potassium supplements and potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone): risk of high potassium
• ACE inhibitors or aliskiren: dual blockade is generally avoided — risk of low pressure, high potassium and kidney injury
• Lithium: olmesartan can raise lithium levels
• Colesevelam: reduces olmesartan absorption — take olmesartan at least 4 hours before it
• Other antihypertensives and diuretics: additive pressure-lowering effect

Always give your doctor a full list of your medicines and supplements.

• Allergy to olmesartan or any component of the product
• Pregnancy — can seriously harm or kill the unborn baby
• Severe bile-flow obstruction (biliary obstruction)
• Combined use with aliskiren in patients with diabetes

Pregnancy: Olmesartan is contraindicated in pregnancy. Like other ARBs, it can injure the developing baby's kidneys, reduce amniotic fluid and cause death of the foetus, especially in the second and third trimesters. Stop the medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant or plan to conceive — a safe alternative will be prescribed.

Lactation: Use during breastfeeding is not recommended because adequate safety data are lacking; your doctor can choose a better-studied alternative.

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