Olmesartan-HydrochlorothiazideOral - Drug Information and Side Effects on Drug3k.com


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Olmesartan-Hydrochlorothiazide images:

Overview

Photos

How To Use

Side Effects

Precautions

Missed Dose

Drug Interactions

Olmesartan-Hydrochlorothiazide

Uses
This medication is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. This medication is a combination of two drugs. Olmesartan works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Hydrochlorothiazide increases the amount of urine you make, removing extra water and salt from your body. Olmesartan belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers, and hydrochlorothiazide is commonly called a "water pill" or diuretic.This medication may also be used to treat congestive heart failure and to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes.
Notes

Do not share this medication with others.Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., kidney function, blood mineral levels) should be performed from time to time to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Consult your doctor for more details.Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication.
Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home.
Discuss this with your doctor.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may include unusually fast or slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting.

How To Use

Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor.
You may take this drug with or without food.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.
To help you remember, use it at the same time each day.It is best to take this medication early in the day, before 4 p.m.
to 6 p.m., to prevent having to wake up during the night to urinate.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your dosing schedule.Drink adequate fluids to prevent the loss of too much body water (dehydration).
If you are on restricted fluid intake, consult your doctor for further instructions.Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first.
This medicine can infrequently raise or lower your potassium blood levels, which can rarely cause serious side effects such as muscle weakness/cramping or fast/slow/irregular heartbeat.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these effects occur.The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take 2 to 4 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well.
Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.Cholestyramine and colestipol can decrease the absorption of hydrochlorothiazide.
If you are taking either of these drugs, separate olmesartan/hydrochlorothiazide from cholestyramine by at least 4 hours and from colestipol by at least 2 hours.Inform your doctor if your condition worsens (e.g., your routine blood pressure readings increase).

Side Effects

See also How to Use section.You may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, and blurred vision as your body adjusts to the medication.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: signs of loss of too much body water and minerals (e.g., unusual thirst, muscle cramps, weakness, confusion, fast/irregular heartbeat, fainting, seizures), decreased sexual ability.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: unusual change in the amount of urine (not including the normal increase in urine when you first start this drug), stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes or skin, muscle pain.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to olmesartan or hydrochlorothiazide; or to ACE inhibitors (e.g., captopril, lisinopril) or sulfa drugs; or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: an inability to make urine.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, heart problems, severe loss of body fluids (dehydration through too much sweating/vomiting/diarrhea), mineral/electrolyte problems (e.g., imbalance of sodium/potassium/magnesium/calcium), gout, lupus, high levels of fats in the blood (high cholesterol or triglycerides), asthma.If you have diabetes, this medication may affect your blood sugar levels.
Your doctor may need to adjust the dosage of your medications used to treat diabetes (e.g., insulin, glipizide).
Monitor your blood sugar levels as instructed and tell your doctor immediately if you develop signs of high blood sugar (e.g., increased thirst, unusual tiredness, vision changes, fruity breath odor).This drug may make you dizzy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
Limit alcoholic beverages.To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.Hydrochlorothiazide may make you more sensitive to the sun.
Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths and sunlamps.
Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.Kidney function declines as you grow older.
This medication is removed by the kidneys.
Therefore, elderly people may be at greater risk for dizziness while using this drug.This medication should be used only when clearly needed during the first three months of pregnancy.
It is not recommended for use during the last six months of the pregnancy due to the risk for harm to an unborn baby.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
See also the Warning section.Hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk.
Breast-feeding is not recommended due to the potential harm to the nursing infant.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double the dose to catch up.

Drug Interactions

See also How to Use section.Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it.
Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: dofetilide.If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting olmesartan/hydrochlorothiazide.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: cisapride, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), diazoxide, digoxin, drugs which can increase dizziness when you stand up (e.g., phenobarbital, narcotic analgesics), drugs which are affected by the acid level in the urine (e.g., amphetamine, methenamine, quinidine), lithium, probenecid.Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen for pain/fever reduction) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure.
Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day), should be continued.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.