Benicar

olmesartan

Olmesartan Tablet: A Comprehensive Guide

What is Olmesartan?

Olmesartan is a medication used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension) to a normal range. It helps control high blood pressure, but it's crucial to understand that it's not a cure. Untreated high blood pressure can seriously damage your kidneys and increase the risk of stroke or heart failure. Olmesartan works to help prevent these serious complications.

Important Information for Your Doctor

Before starting olmesartan, it's vital to inform your healthcare professional about certain health conditions. This includes:

• A history of swelling in the tongue, face, or lips, accompanied by difficulty breathing, swallowing, hoarseness, or throat tightness.
• Heart failure.
• Kidney disease.
• Liver disease.
• If you're following a special diet, such as a low-sodium diet.
• Any known allergies to olmesartan, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
• If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How to Take Olmesartan

Olmesartan tablets are taken orally. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. You can take olmesartan with or without food. It's important to take your doses at regular intervals as prescribed by your doctor. Never take more medication than instructed.

Children's use of olmesartan requires careful consideration by a pediatrician. An overdose should be treated as a medical emergency; contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Important Note: This medication is for your individual use only. Do not share it with others.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next scheduled dose. Never double up on doses.

Potential Drug Interactions

Olmesartan can interact with other medications. It's essential to inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking, including:

• Other blood pressure medications
• Hawthorn
• Lithium
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Potassium supplements
• Water pills (diuretics)

This also includes over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements, herbal products, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. These substances can affect how olmesartan works. Always consult your doctor before starting or stopping any medication.

Monitoring Your Health While on Olmesartan

Regular blood pressure monitoring is crucial while taking olmesartan. Your doctor will advise you on the target blood pressure levels. Keep a record of your blood pressure readings to share with your healthcare provider.

Long-term use of olmesartan requires regular check-ups with your doctor to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment as needed. Remember to schedule these appointments. Inform your doctor if you're planning any surgery.

For women: It's crucial to inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Olmesartan can have serious side effects on an unborn child, particularly during the second or third trimester. Discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.

Possible Side Effects

Some side effects require immediate medical attention:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Hoarseness or throat tightness
• Facial, lip, tongue, hand, or foot swelling
• Unusual rash
• Confusion, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
• Decreased urine output
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain

Other side effects that usually don't require medical attention but should be reported to your doctor if they persist or bother you:

• Back pain
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Sore throat
• Stuffy nose or sinuses

This isn't an exhaustive list of all possible side effects.

Storage Instructions

Keep olmesartan out of reach of children, preferably in a child-resistant container. Store at room temperature (15-30°C or 59-86°F). Discard any unused medication after the expiration date.