Olmesartan

Generic name: Olmesartan
Brand names: Benicar
Dosage form: oral tablet (20 mg; 40 mg; 5 mg)
Drug class: Angiotensin receptor blockers

Usage of Olmesartan

Olmesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (sometimes called an ARB).

Olmesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children at least 6 years old. It is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications.

Olmesartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Olmesartan side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Olmesartan may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

little or no urination;

severe diarrhea and weight loss; or

high potassium level--nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement.

Common side effects of olmesartan may include:

dizziness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Olmesartan

You should not take olmesartan if you are allergic to it.

If you have diabetes, do not use olmesartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

You may also need to avoid taking olmesartan with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

a heart condition other than one being treated with olmesartan;

kidney disease; or

if you are on a low salt diet.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Olmesartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

If you plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use before and during pregnancy. Having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications in the mother and the baby.

You should not breastfeed while using olmesartan.

Relate drugs

How to use Olmesartan

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

20 mg orally once a day; may increase dose to 40 mg in two weeks if further blood pressure reduction is needed.Maximum dose: 40 mg orally once a dayComments:-For patients with possible intravascular volume depletion (e.g., patients treated with diuretics, especially those with impaired renal function), initiate this drug under close supervision and give consideration to a lower starting dose.-Twice daily dosing offers no additional benefit over the same total dose give once daily.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension:

6 to 16 years:-20 to less than 35 kg: 10 mg orally once a day; may increase dose to 20 mg in two weeks if further blood pressure reduction is needed-35 kg or more: 20 mg orally once a day; may increase dose to 40 mg in two weeks if further blood pressure reduction is neededComments:-For children who cannot swallow tablets, the same dose can be given using an extemporaneous suspension.

Warnings

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using olmesartan and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

If you have diabetes, do not take olmesartan with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

What other drugs will affect Olmesartan

If you take colesevelam, take your olmesartan dose 4 hours before you take colesevelam.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

lithium;

a diuretic (water pill) or other medicines that lower blood pressure; or

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), Celecoxib, diclofenac, Indomethacin, Meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect olmesartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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