amlodipine + olmesartan medoxomil at a glance
Medicine class
Calcium-channel blocker plus angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
Licensed use
Essential hypertension in adults not adequately controlled by olmesartan or amlodipine alone
Administration
Swallow the film-coated tablet whole with water; it may be taken with or without food
Age group
Safety and efficacy have not been established below 18 years
What is amlodipine + olmesartan medoxomil used for?
Licensed for:
Essential hypertension in adults whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled by olmesartan medoxomil or amlodipine alone.
How does amlodipine + olmesartan medoxomil work?
Olmesartan blocks angiotensin II at AT1 receptors, reducing blood-vessel tightening and aldosterone effects. Amlodipine limits calcium entry into vascular smooth muscle, allowing arteries to relax. Together they additively reduce blood pressure.
amlodipine + olmesartan medoxomil preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 20 mg + 5 mg, 40 mg + 10 mg, 40 mg + 5 mg
How to take amlodipine + olmesartan medoxomil
Take exactly as directed on the dispensing label. Swallow the tablet whole with sufficient water; do not chew it. It can be taken with or without food. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice, which may increase amlodipine exposure and blood-pressure lowering.
Do not stop treatment without discussing it with the prescriber.
Dizziness can affect driving or use of machinery, particularly when treatment begins.
amlodipine + olmesartan medoxomil side effects
Common or expected effects
- Swelling of the ankles, feet, legs, hands or arms
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
Get urgent medical advice
- Allergic reaction with facial, mouth or throat swelling, rash or breathing difficulty
- Severe light-headedness, fainting or symptomatic low blood pressure
- Severe persistent diarrhoea with substantial weight loss
- Abdominal pain with nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or marked itching
- Severe blistering, peeling or painful skin reactions
amlodipine + olmesartan medoxomil in pregnancy
Not recommended during the first trimester and contraindicated during the second and third trimesters because ARBs can harm fetal kidney development and reduce amniotic fluid. Contact the prescriber promptly if planning pregnancy or if pregnancy occurs while taking it.
amlodipine + olmesartan medoxomil while breastfeeding
The licensed product is not recommended during breastfeeding, particularly for a newborn or premature infant, because human milk data for olmesartan are absent and better-established alternatives are available. Individual clinical assessment is needed if it is used.
amlodipine + olmesartan medoxomil interactions
A medicine review is important because both components have clinically relevant interactions.
ACE inhibitors, other ARBs or aliskiren
Increase risks of hypotension, high potassium and renal impairment. Aliskiren is contraindicated with this product in specified patients with diabetes or renal impairment.
Potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes and potassium-sparing diuretics
Can increase serum potassium and may require laboratory monitoring.
NSAIDs, including COX-2 inhibitors
May reduce the blood-pressure effect and increase risks of renal impairment and high potassium.
Common questions about amlodipine + olmesartan medoxomil
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is it used for?
It treats essential hypertension in adults whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled by olmesartan or amlodipine alone.
Can it be taken with food?
Yes. Food does not materially affect absorption of the fixed combination.
Can it cause long-lasting diarrhoea?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.