olmesartan medoxomil at a glance
Medicine class
Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
Licensed use
Essential hypertension in adults and in children and adolescents aged 6 to under 18 years
Food
May be taken with or without food
Administration
Swallow the film-coated tablet with water; do not chew it
What is olmesartan medoxomil used for?
The selected product is licensed for treating high blood pressure.
Essential hypertension in adults
Hypertension in children and adolescents aged 6 to under 18 years
How does olmesartan medoxomil work?
Olmesartan medoxomil is converted in the body to active olmesartan. It selectively blocks angiotensin II at AT1 receptors, reducing blood-vessel narrowing and aldosterone effects so that blood pressure falls.
olmesartan medoxomil preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg
How to take olmesartan medoxomil
Follow the dispensing label and prescriber's instructions. The tablet can be taken with or without food.
Swallow with sufficient water.
Do not chew the tablet.
Check with a pharmacist if swallowing tablets is difficult.
olmesartan medoxomil side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dizziness or headache
- Diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea or indigestion
- Fatigue or flu-like symptoms
- Cough or other upper-respiratory symptoms
- Back, joint or skeletal pain
- Peripheral swelling
Get urgent medical advice
- Swelling of the face, mouth or throat, breathing difficulty or collapse
- Severe, persistent diarrhoea with substantial weight loss, which may indicate sprue-like enteropathy
- Severe abdominal pain with nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, which may indicate intestinal angioedema
- Fainting or symptoms of markedly low blood pressure
- Markedly reduced urine output or other features of acute kidney injury
olmesartan medoxomil in pregnancy
Olmesartan is not recommended in early pregnancy and is contraindicated during the second and third trimesters because later exposure can harm fetal kidney function and development. Anyone planning pregnancy or who becomes pregnant while taking it should contact their prescriber promptly so treatment can be reviewed; later exposure requires specialist assessment and additional fetal monitoring.
olmesartan medoxomil while breastfeeding
Human breastfeeding data are extremely limited, so an alternative with better-established evidence is usually preferred, particularly for newborn or premature infants. If olmesartan is specifically required, specialist assessment and monitoring of the infant for poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, pallor, inadequate weight gain and reduced wet nappies are advised.
olmesartan medoxomil interactions
Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining olmesartan with medicines that affect blood pressure, kidney function or potassium.
ACE inhibitors, other ARBs or aliskiren
Combining medicines that block the renin–angiotensin system increases the risks of low blood pressure, high potassium and kidney injury; some combinations are contraindicated.
Potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes and potassium-sparing diuretics
These may cause an excessive rise in blood potassium.
NSAIDs, including ibuprofen and COX-2 inhibitors
They may reduce the blood-pressure effect and increase the risk of impaired kidney function, especially with dehydration.
Common questions about olmesartan medoxomil
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is olmesartan medoxomil an ACE inhibitor?
No. It is an angiotensin II receptor blocker, or ARB. It blocks the AT1 receptor rather than inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme.
Can olmesartan medoxomil be taken with food?
Yes. Food has little effect on its absorption, so the tablet may be taken with or without food.
Why are blood tests needed with olmesartan medoxomil?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.