OLMEPRES AM 5/40 5 mg + 40 mg Tablet

OLMEPRES AM 5/40 is a tablet containing amlodipine and olmesartan medoxomil, combining a calcium channel blocker with an angiotensin receptor blocker. It is used to treat high blood pressure when a combined antihypertensive approach is appropriate.

OLMEPRES AM 5/40 5 mg + 40 mg tablet is a fixed-dose combination medicine from General Pharmaceuticals Ltd. containing Amlodipine + Olmesartan Medoxomil. It is used to treat high blood pressure when one medicine alone cannot reach the target, or as initial therapy in patients likely to need two medicines.

The two ingredients lower pressure through different routes. Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, relaxes the muscle in artery walls so the vessels stay wide. Olmesartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), stops the hormone angiotensin II from constricting vessels and retaining salt. Working together they control pressure more strongly than either alone, and olmesartan also reduces the ankle swelling amlodipine can cause.

• 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

ChamberBD shows dosing only from the approved product label, with its source named, and no label is on file for OLMEPRES AM 5/40 5 mg + 40 mg Tablet. Use the dose your doctor prescribed and the instructions in the pack leaflet.

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.