Olmesartan Medoxomil

💊 What is Olmesartan Medoxomil used for?

• •The label says it is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and in children 6 years of age and older. The label notes that lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack, but it also states that there are no controlled trials showing risk reduction with olmesartan medoxomil tablets specifically. Many people with high blood pressure need more than one medicine to reach their goal.

How it works

The label says olmesartan medoxomil is a prodrug, which means the body changes it into olmesartan during absorption from the stomach and intestines. Olmesartan blocks certain receptors (AT1) that respond to angiotensin II, a substance that narrows blood vessels. The label describes this as a way to lower blood pressure.

How it is usually taken

• •The label says it is taken once daily by mouth as a tablet. Dosing is individualized, and the label states that the dose may be adjusted over time. For children who cannot swallow tablets, the label describes preparing a liquid suspension from the tablets. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Comes as

• •5 mg yellow, round, film-coated tablets
• •20 mg white to off-white, round, film-coated tablets
• •40 mg white to off-white, oval, film-coated tablets

⚠️ Olmesartan Medoxomil side effects

🛑 Who should not take Olmesartan Medoxomil, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨The label says aliskiren should not be taken together with olmesartan medoxomil tablets in patients with diabetes. This is listed as a contraindication.
• 🚨The label says it is not recommended for children less than 1 year of age.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or might become pregnant. The label advises discussing treatment options with women planning to become pregnant.
• •Do not breastfeed during treatment. The label advises nursing women not to breastfeed while taking this medicine.
• •Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium unless your healthcare provider says it is okay. The label notes that high potassium (hyperkalemia) can occur, and serum potassium should be monitored.
• •Tell your prescriber if you are on diuretics or are dehydrated or salt-depleted. The label says these patients may be more likely to have low blood pressure when treatment starts, and it may be started under close supervision at a lower dose.
• •Tell your prescriber if you have kidney problems, including narrowed renal arteries or severe congestive heart failure. The label says kidney function changes may occur and should be monitored.
• •The label mentions a study (ROADMAP) in people with type 2 diabetes. It says high-dose olmesartan may increase cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients, but the overall data are not conclusive.
• •Tell your prescriber if you have diarrhea that is severe or long-lasting, since the label describes a rare intestinal condition linked to this medicine.

🔀 Olmesartan Medoxomil with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Potassium-raising medicines: other blood pressure medicines that block the renin-angiotensin system, potassium-sparing diuretics (such as spironolactone, triamterene, or amiloride), potassium supplements, potassium salt substitutes, and heparin may raise potassium levels. The label says monitoring potassium may be advisable if these are used together.
• •NSAIDs, including COX-2 inhibitors: these may reduce the blood pressure effect and can worsen kidney function, especially in older adults, people who are dehydrated, or people with kidney problems. The label advises periodic kidney monitoring.
• •Other renin-angiotensin system medicines (ARBs, ACE inhibitors, or aliskiren): combining them can increase the risk of low blood pressure, high potassium, and kidney changes. The label says to generally avoid this combination.
• •Lithium: can raise lithium levels and cause lithium toxicity.
• •Colesevelam: the label says to consider taking olmesartan at least 4 hours before colesevelam.

Alcohol and food

The label does not say.

🤰 Olmesartan Medoxomil in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says olmesartan medoxomil can cause fetal harm when given to a pregnant woman. Use of drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin system during the second and third trimesters reduces fetal kidney function and increases fetal and neonatal illness and death. The label says to stop the medicine as soon as pregnancy is detected and to consider alternative blood pressure treatment during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

The label advises nursing women not to breastfeed during treatment with olmesartan medoxomil tablets.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label says to store at 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F).

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says limited data are available on overdose in humans. The most likely signs are low blood pressure and a fast heart rate, and a slow heart rate could occur. The label says supportive treatment should be started if symptomatic low blood pressure occurs. It is not known whether olmesartan can be removed by dialysis.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Olmesartan Medoxomil

• Is this medicine safe to use if I am pregnant or planning a pregnancy?
• What should I do if I think I might be pregnant while taking it?
• Should I avoid potassium supplements or salt substitutes with potassium?
• Could this medicine affect my kidneys, and how will my kidney function be checked?
• Which of my other medicines, including pain relievers like NSAIDs, could interact with it?
• How will you check whether my blood pressure is at a good level?
• What symptoms should make me call you or seek urgent care while taking it?

❓ Olmesartan Medoxomil: frequently asked questions