Olmesar Plus 40 Mg Tablet (10 Tab)

OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET

OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET is a prescription medicine manufactured by MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS LTD., primarily used to manage high blood pressure (hypertension).

Composition

Each tablet contains:

• Olmesartan Medoxomil (40 mg): An angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that works by relaxing blood vessels to improve blood flow and heart pumping efficiency.
• Azelnidipine (8 mg): A calcium channel blocker that relaxes blood vessels, reducing pressure on them and making it easier for the heart to pump blood throughout the body.

Uses

OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET is prescribed for:

• Treating hypertension (high blood pressure).
• Preventing future cardiovascular complications such as heart attack and stroke.
• Preserving kidney function, particularly in patients with diabetes.
• Managing chronic heart failure.

Dosage and Administration

This medicine should be taken as advised by your doctor. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water; do not crush or chew it. It can be taken with or without food, but for best results, take it at the same time each day. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose and duration based on your age, condition, and body weight. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor.

Side Effects

Common side effects may include:

• Dizziness, tiredness, and headache.
• Nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, and stomachache.
• Swelling of ankles, feet, legs, hands, or arms (peripheral edema).
• Sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, bronchitis, flu-like symptoms, and cough.
• Pain in the chest, back, bones, or joints.
• Urinary tract infection (UTI) and blood in the urine.

Serious side effects requiring immediate medical attention include:

• Allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling of the face, mouth, and/or larynx, severe lightheadedness, or fainting).
• Severe diarrhea that does not go away and causes noticeable weight loss.
• Signs of high potassium levels, such as weak muscles, numbness or tingling, irregular heartbeat, palpitations, feeling sick, and shortness of breath.

Precautions

• Inform your doctor if you have severe vomiting or diarrhea, are on a low-salt diet, have high potassium levels, problems with adrenal glands, intolerance to sugars, kidney disease (not recommended with impaired kidney function, jaundice, or biliary obstruction), liver disease, heart failure, or issues with heart valves or heart muscle.
• OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Caution is advised in elderly patients over 65 years of age.
• Regular monitoring of kidney function, blood pressure, and electrolytes (e.g., potassium) may be conducted by your doctor.
• Avoid consuming grapefruit juice while on this medication due to an increased risk of low blood pressure.
• Limit alcohol intake, as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure and dizziness.
• This medicine may cause dizziness or weakness; therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.
• Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking, including other antihypertensives, diuretics, anticoagulants, NSAIDs, and certain cholesterol-lowering drugs like colesevelam (take olmesartan at least 4 hours before colesevelam) to avoid potential interactions.
• This medicine contains lactose; individuals with lactose intolerance should consult their doctor.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, ideally below 30°C, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not use outdated medicine.

What is OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET used for?

OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET is primarily used to treat hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure. This medicine helps to control blood pressure, thereby reducing the risk of serious complications such as heart attack and stroke. It can also be effective in preserving kidney function, particularly in patients with diabetes.

How does OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET work?

OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET contains two active ingredients: Olmesartan medoxomil and Azelnidipine. Olmesartan medoxomil is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that works by blocking a hormone (angiotensin II) that causes blood vessels to tighten. This action relaxes the blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. Azelnidipine is a calcium channel blocker that functions by inhibiting calcium channels in the heart's blood vessels. This leads to the widening of arteries, improving blood flow and reducing the pressure on blood vessels, which further contributes to lowering blood pressure and easing the heart's workload. The combination of these two medicines provides a more potent effect in managing high blood pressure.

What is the usual dosage of OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET?

The dosage of OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET is determined by your doctor based on your specific medical condition and response to treatment. It is typically taken once daily, with or without food. For OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET, each tablet contains 40mg of Olmesartan medoxomil and 8mg of Azelnidipine.

What are the possible side effects of OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET?

Common side effects may include dizziness, tiredness, headache, nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, stomach ache, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, bronchitis, flu-like symptoms, cough, and pain in the chest, back, bones, or joints. You might also experience a urinary tract infection, blood in the urine, or swelling of the ankles, feet, legs, hands, or arms.

More serious but less common side effects can include severe allergic reactions (manifesting as rash, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat with difficulty breathing), severe chronic diarrhea accompanied by weight loss, kidney problems (such as little or no urination), vision problems (like blurred vision, eye pain, or acute angle-closure glaucoma), high potassium levels, liver problems (jaundice), or significantly low blood pressure. If any side effects worsen or persist, you should consult your doctor.

Is OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Pregnancy: OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET is not recommended during pregnancy and can harm the unborn baby, especially in the second and third trimesters. It may lead to long-term damage to the baby's kidneys and lungs, among other issues. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception while taking this medicine. If you become pregnant, you should stop taking it immediately and contact your doctor.

Breastfeeding: This medication is not recommended for use during breastfeeding. While it is unknown how much Olmesartan passes into human breast milk, the Hydrochlorothiazide component (if present in other Olmesar Plus formulations) can pass into breast milk. There is a small potential risk that it could lower the baby's blood pressure. Your doctor may suggest an alternative treatment if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Can OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET be taken with other medications?

Taking OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET with certain other medications can lead to interactions. It is generally not recommended to be used with aliskiren, particularly in diabetic patients. Caution is advised when taking it with potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium, as this can increase potassium levels in your blood. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce the blood pressure-lowering effect of this medicine and may increase the risk of kidney problems. If you are taking colesevelam, you should take OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET at least 4 hours before or 4 to 6 hours after. Always inform your doctor about all other medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking to prevent potential interactions.

What precautions should be taken while using OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET?

Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular visits, including blood and urine tests to check kidney function and electrolyte levels (e.g., potassium). It's important to stay well-hydrated, especially in hot weather or during exercise, or if you experience severe vomiting or diarrhea, as dehydration can lead to dangerously low blood pressure.

This medicine may cause dizziness or lightheadedness; therefore, rise slowly when standing up or sitting down, and avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how it affects you. Alcohol can worsen these effects. Inform your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease (especially jaundice or problems with bile drainage), heart failure, diabetes, gout, high cholesterol, lupus, asthma, or a history of allergies (particularly to sulfa drugs or penicillin). If you are diabetic, monitor your blood sugar levels closely. Additionally, this medicine may increase sensitivity to sunlight, so use sun protection. Do not stop taking OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET abruptly, as your doctor will likely guide you on gradually reducing the dose if needed.

What happens if a dose is missed?

If you miss a dose of OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

How should OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET be stored?

Store OLMESAR PLUS 40 MG TABLET in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze the medicine. Keep it out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.