Olmesartan

Olmesartan is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure in adults and children 6 years of age and older. Olmesartan is in a class of medications called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of certain natural substances that tighten the blood vessels, allowing the blood to flow more smoothly and the heart to pump more efficiently.

Olmesartan comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. To help you remember to take olmesartan, take it at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take olmesartan exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. If your child can not swallow a tablet, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. The pharmacist can prepare a liquid form of this medication for your child. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of olmesartan and may increase your dose after 2 weeks. Olmesartan controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Your blood pressure may decrease during the first week of your treatment, but it may take up to 2 weeks before you notice the full benefit of olmesartan. Continue to take olmesartan even if you feel well. Do not stop taking olmesartan without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Olmesartan may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if this symptom is severe or does not go away:

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dizziness</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:

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swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li>
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hoarseness</li>
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difficulty breathing or swallowing</li></ul>Olmesartan may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking olmesartan, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to olmesartan,any other medications, or any of the ingredients in olmesartan tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention diuretics ('water pills') and potassium supplements. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medication or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure, or kidney or liver disease. you should know that olmesartan may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more common when you first start taking olmesartan. To help avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up. you should know that diarrhea, vomiting, not drinking enough fluids, and sweating a lot can cause a drop in blood pressure, which may cause lightheadedness and fainting. Tell your doctor if you have any of these problems or develop them during your treatment.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms of overdose may include

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fainting</li>
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dizziness</li>
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fast or slow heartbeat</li></ul>