— Product
OLMEROS 20H TAB
OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL + HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE
OLMEROS 20H TAB is a tablet combining olmesartan medoxomil with hydrochlorothiazide, an angiotensin receptor blocker paired with a thiazide diuretic. It is used for hypertension not adequately controlled by either agent alone.
01
Benefits
- Two complementary mechanisms — angiotensin blockade causes vasodilation while the thiazide reduces circulating volume.
- Combination therapy achieves target blood pressure in more patients than escalating a single agent, and at lower doses of each.
- The angiotensin blocker offsets the potassium loss caused by the thiazide, so the two partly correct each other's metabolic effects.
- Once-daily dosing in a single tablet supports adherence.
- Does not cause the dry cough associated with ACE inhibitors.
02
Side effects
Not everyone gets these. Most are mild and settle as the course finishes.
Common
- Dizziness, particularly on standing
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Increased urine output
Less common
- Low serum potassium or sodium
- Rise in blood glucose and in serum uric acid, which can precipitate gout
- Muscle cramps
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight
Stop and get medical help if any of these occur
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing
- Fainting, or severe persistent dizziness
- Severe muscle weakness, cramps or an irregular heartbeat
- Severe chronic diarrhoea with weight loss
- Confusion or marked drowsiness, which may indicate low sodium
- A marked fall in urine output
03
Precautions
- Contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding — both components are unsuitable, and the angiotensin blocker causes fetal injury.
- Contraindicated in anuria, in severe renal impairment, and in known sulphonamide hypersensitivity because of the thiazide.
- Monitor serum potassium, sodium, uric acid, glucose and renal function periodically.
- Do not combine with an ACE inhibitor or aliskiren.
- Thiazides raise blood glucose and uric acid — use with caution in diabetes and in a history of gout.
- Olmesartan can cause a severe sprue-like enteropathy with chronic diarrhoea and weight loss.
- Use with caution alongside NSAIDs, lithium, and other drugs affecting potassium.
- Advise sun protection, maintain adequate fluid intake, and do not stop abruptly without advice.