azilsartan medoxomil potassium at a glance
Medicine class
Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
Licensed use
Essential hypertension in adults
Taking the tablet
Swallow with water, with or without food.
What is azilsartan medoxomil potassium used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Essential hypertension in adults.
How does azilsartan medoxomil potassium work?
Azilsartan medoxomil is rapidly converted to azilsartan. Azilsartan blocks angiotensin II at AT1 receptors, reducing blood-vessel tightening, aldosterone effects and sodium retention. This lowers blood pressure.
How to take azilsartan medoxomil potassium
Follow the dispensing label and your prescriber’s instructions. Take the tablet by mouth, with or without food.
Swallow the tablet with water.
Use a consistent routine to help you remember it.
Do not stop treatment without discussing it with your prescriber, because your blood pressure may rise again.
azilsartan medoxomil potassium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dizziness
- Diarrhoea
- Raised creatine phosphokinase on a blood test
Get urgent medical advice
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain with nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Marked low blood pressure causing fainting or severe dizziness
- Changes in kidney function or potassium identified through blood tests
azilsartan medoxomil potassium in pregnancy
Azilsartan should not be started during pregnancy and is contraindicated during the second and third trimesters. Discuss an alternative before planning pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, contact your prescriber promptly. Later exposure can affect the baby’s kidneys and amniotic fluid and may require additional monitoring.
azilsartan medoxomil potassium while breastfeeding
There is no direct information about azilsartan during breastfeeding. The product information does not recommend it and favours alternatives with better-established evidence, particularly for newborn or premature babies. Discuss the options with your prescriber.
azilsartan medoxomil potassium interactions
Check prescribed, over-the-counter and complementary products with a pharmacist or prescriber. Important interactions include:
Lithium
Azilsartan may increase lithium concentrations and toxicity. The combination is not recommended unless specialist monitoring is arranged.
NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, diclofenac and selective COX-2 inhibitors
They may reduce the blood-pressure effect and increase the risks of kidney impairment and raised potassium.
Potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes and potassium-sparing diuretics
These can raise blood potassium and may require laboratory monitoring.
Common questions about azilsartan medoxomil potassium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can it be taken with food?
Yes. Food does not materially affect absorption, so the tablet may be taken with or without food.
Can I take ibuprofen with it?
Check with a pharmacist or prescriber first. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can reduce its effect and increase the risks of kidney impairment and raised potassium.
Why are blood tests needed?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.