Olmesartan: Uses, How It Works, Medicines
Also in: हिन्दी தமிழ் मराठी తెలుగు ಕನ್ನಡ বাংলা ગુજરાતી മലയാളം ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
Olmesartan is a prescription medicine that lowers blood pressure. It is used to treat high blood pressure in adults, alone or with other medicines. It belongs to the angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). It must not be taken in pregnancy and should only be started or stopped on a doctor's advice.
Also known as: Olmesartan medoxomil, Olmesartan 20 mg, Olmesartan 40 mg, Olmesartan 10 mg, Olmezest, Olmetec
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
How does Olmesartan work?
Olmesartan medoxomil is converted in the body to olmesartan, which blocks the receptor that the hormone angiotensin II uses to narrow blood vessels. With that signal blocked, vessels relax and blood pressure falls.
How to take Olmesartan
Follow the label or your doctor's advice. Olmesartan is usually taken once a day, at about the same time each day. Your doctor decides the dose and how long you need it.
Side effects of Olmesartan
Most people take olmesartan without serious problems. Some side effects are common and mild, but a few need medical help.
Uncommon or mild
- Dizziness, especially when standing up quickly
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Nausea or an upset stomach
Rare but serious: get medical help
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing (a severe allergic reaction). Get medical help immediately
- Fainting, or very low blood pressure with severe dizziness
- Severe or long-lasting diarrhoea with weight loss, which can start months or years after beginning the medicine
- A high potassium level, which can cause weakness, tiredness or an irregular heartbeat
- Passing much less urine than usual, or sudden swelling of the legs and feet
Who should be careful
Some people need to check with a doctor before taking olmesartan, or need extra care while taking it.
When the label says not to use it
- Allergy to olmesartan or any ingredient of the tablet
- Pregnancy (it can seriously harm the unborn baby)
- Diabetes together with aliskiren
- Pregnancy: do not take it if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, because medicines of this type can seriously harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor straight away if you become pregnant
- Breastfeeding: it is not recommended; ask your doctor
- Kidney disease: blood tests may be needed
- Dehydration, a low-salt diet or high-dose water tablets: blood pressure can fall too far
- High potassium levels, or taking potassium supplements or salt substitutes
- Diabetes if you also take aliskiren: this combination is not allowed
- Severe heart failure: kidney function can change
Medicines and things that interact with Olmesartan
Olmesartan can change how other medicines work, and some medicines change its effect. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take, including painkillers bought over the counter.
- Other blood pressure medicines and water tablets: blood pressure may fall too low
- ACE inhibitors, other ARBs and aliskiren: higher risk of low blood pressure, high potassium and kidney problems; usually avoided
- Potassium supplements, salt substitutes and potassium-sparing water tablets: potassium can become too high
- NSAID painkillers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac: they can weaken its effect and strain the kidneys
- Lithium: its blood level can rise to a harmful level
- Colesevelam (a cholesterol medicine): ask your doctor about timing
If someone takes too much
Taking one extra tablet by mistake is unlikely to be serious, but larger amounts can cause very low blood pressure, dizziness and fainting. If someone has taken much more than prescribed, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital and take the medicine pack with you.
Regulatory status in India
Approved for sale in India as a prescription medicine. Olmesartan is not listed as a single ingredient on the CDSCO list of medicines banned under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Fixed-dose combinations that contain olmesartan with other medicines may be treated differently, so check the ingredient list on the pack.
Type of medicine
Olmesartan belongs to this type of medicine.
Medicines that contain Olmesartan
These medicines sold in India contain Olmesartan. They are listed A to Z, not ranked.
- Olmezest 20 · 20 mg tablet
What is Olmesartan used for?
Medicines that contain Olmesartan are used for these conditions.
Other medicines of the same type
These active ingredients are of the same type as Olmesartan.
Common questions
Is olmesartan a prescription medicine?
Yes. Olmesartan is a prescription-only medicine in India. It should be taken only if a doctor has prescribed it, and it should not be started, stopped or changed without the doctor's advice.
Can I take olmesartan during pregnancy?
No. Medicines of this type can seriously harm an unborn baby, and the label advises stopping them as soon as pregnancy is found. If you are pregnant, may become pregnant or are planning a baby, tell your doctor right away. Do not stop it without speaking to your doctor.
Can olmesartan cause long-lasting diarrhoea?
Rarely, severe diarrhoea with weight loss has been reported, sometimes months or years after starting. Tell your doctor if this happens. Do not stop the medicine yourself; the doctor will check for other causes.
Why does olmesartan need blood tests?
It can raise the potassium level and affect the kidneys in some people, so doctors may order blood tests, especially if you are dehydrated or have kidney disease. Follow your doctor's advice on tests.
Is olmesartan the same as olmesartan medoxomil?
Olmesartan medoxomil is the form in the tablet. The body converts it into olmesartan, the active medicine. Check the ingredient list and strength on the pack, and ask your doctor before switching products.
Sources
- Olmesartan medoxomil tablets: prescribing information (Umedica). DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine
- ATC/DDD Index: C09CA Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), plain. WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology
- List of drugs prohibited for manufacture and sale through gazette notifications under section 26A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)