Olmesartan

CAUTION:
Do not take olmesartan if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking olmesartan, call your doctor without delay. Olmesartan may harm the fetus.

General Information and Indications:

Olmesartan is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Olmesartan is in a class of medications called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels, so blood flows more smoothly.

Information For Users:

Olmesartan comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. To help you remember to take olmesartan, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take olmesartan exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.

Your doctor might start you on a low dose of olmesartan and slowly increase your dose, not more than once every 2 weeks.

Olmesartan controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. It may take up to 2 weeks before you feel the full benefit of olmesartan. Continue taking olmesartan even if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking olmesartan without informing your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine

Olmesartan is sometimes also used to treat heart failure. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.

Special precautions:

o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergy to olmesartan or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention diuretics ('water pills'). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding heart failure; kidney disease; or angioedema, a condition that causes difficulty swallowing or breathing and painful swelling of the the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs.
o Inform your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
o you should know that olmesartan may cause your blood pressure to drop too low, especially after your first dose. Your doctor may want you to take your first dose in his office so he can see how you react to this medication.
If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully.

Possible Adverse Effects:

Olmesartan may cause adverse effects. Inform your doctor if this symptom is severe or does not go away:

o dizziness

Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor without delay:

o swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
o hoarseness
o difficulty swallowing or breathing

Possible Symptoms of Overdose:

o fainting
o dizziness
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)
o upset stomach
o fast or slow heartbeat

Brand Name(s):

o Benicar®

Other Name(s):

o Benicar® HCT containing Olmesartan Medoxomil and Hydrochlorothiazide