Details

Olmesartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Olmesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow. Olmesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children who are at least 6 years old. It is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications. You should not take olmesartan if you are allergic to it. To make sure you can safely take olmesartan, tell your doctor if you have liver disease congestive heart failure or if you are dehydrated. Olmesartan should not be used in pregnancy.

Typical Uses

Olmesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Olmesartan belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). It works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily. This medication is also used to treat heart failure.

Side Effects

Common olmesartan side effects may include a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out little or no urinating severe or ongoing diarrhoea with weight loss chest pain, fast heart rate or swelling in your hands or feet.

Drug Interactions

• Olmesartan+aliskiren- Using aliskiren together with olmesartan may increase the risk of serious side effects such as kidney problems, low blood pressure, and high potassium levels in the blood. High levels of potassium can develop into a condition known as hyperkalemia, which in severe cases can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.
• Olmesartan+benazepril- Using benazepril together with olmesartan may increase the risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and a condition called hyperkalemia (high blood potassium). In severe cases, hyperkalemia can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.
• Olmesartan+captopril- Using captopril together with olmesartan may increase the risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and a condition called hyperkalemia (high blood potassium). In severe cases, hyperkalemia can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.
• Olmesartan+moexipril- Using moexipril together with olmesartan may increase the risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and a condition called hyperkalemia (high blood potassium). In severe cases, hyperkalemia can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.

Mechanism of action

Olmesartan belongs to a class of medications called angiotensin II receptor inhibitors. Angiotensin II is a chemical that causes muscles surrounding the blood vessels to contract, thereby narrowing the blood vessels. Olmesartan blocks the action of angiotensin II resulting in relaxation of blood vessels, and thus, reduces blood pressure.

Pregnancy Category : D