OlmesartanOlmesartan Medoxomil

About Olmesartan

Olmesartan blocks the receptor angiotensin II uses to tighten blood vessels and retain salt, lowering blood pressure. It is approved for adults and children aged 6 and older. Adults usually start at 20 mg once a day, with or without food, and may go up to 40 mg after two weeks; the label says doses above 40 mg do not appear to work better. The label also gives a recipe for pharmacists to make a liquid for children who cannot swallow tablets.

The boxed warning is for fetal toxicity: it can injure or kill a developing baby, so it is stopped as soon as pregnancy is detected, and it is not recommended for children under 1 year. Specific to olmesartan is sprue-like enteropathy, severe chronic diarrhea with substantial weight loss that can start months or years into treatment; if no other cause is found, the label says to consider another medicine. Low blood pressure, raised potassium and kidney changes can occur, especially with low fluid or salt or kidney disease, and with diabetes it must not be combined with aliskiren.

Benicar HCT and Tribenzor are not for first treatment but for people needing more than one drug; Azor can be started first in people likely to need several. Hydrochlorothiazide is linked to non-melanoma skin cancer, and its labels advise sun protection and skin checks. The amlodipine in Azor and Tribenzor commonly causes swelling, more at higher doses, and limits the simvastatin dose.

Taking Olmesartan

How to take it

Once a day at about the same time, with or without food. Keep taking it even if you feel well; it controls blood pressure but does not cure it.

If you miss a dose

Take it as soon as you remember, unless the next dose is almost due; then skip the missed dose and continue as usual. Do not take a double dose.

Storage

At room temperature in the original container, tightly closed, away from heat and moisture, out of reach of children.

Interactions to know about

Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen can weaken its effect and harm the kidneys, especially in older or dehydrated people. Potassium supplements and potassium salt substitutes can push potassium too high, and it can raise lithium levels. Combining it with an ACE inhibitor, another ARB or aliskiren is generally avoided. The label suggests taking it at least 4 hours before colesevelam.

This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.

Why the cash price for Olmesartan differs from pharmacy to pharmacy

Generic olmesartan has many makers, so a cash quote mostly reflects each pharmacy’s dispensing fee and markup. The combinations have fewer makers, especially the three-drug tablet, so quotes vary more.

A prescription naming Benicar, Benicar HCT, Azor or Tribenzor without allowing substitution is filled with the brand. A combination can cost more or less than the separate generics, which carry separate fees.

Ways to pay less for Olmesartan without insurance

• Ask the prescriber to allow generic substitution.
• If you take a combination, ask for quotes on it and on the separate generics; your prescriber decides which to write.
• Ask for a ninety-day supply once your dose is settled.
• For the three-drug tablet, check stock before the prescription is sent.
• Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.

Questions to ask your pharmacist about Olmesartan

1. 1.Is this plain olmesartan or a combination, and which strength?
2. 2.What should I do about diarrhea that will not settle, or weight loss?
3. 3.Which painkillers or potassium supplements should I avoid?
4. 4.When will my potassium and kidney function be checked?
5. 5.What should I do if I am planning a pregnancy?

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