Olmezest Am

Composition of Olmezest Am

Olmezest Am contains Amlodipine (5mg) + Olmesartan (20mg). It belongs to the Calcium channel blocker and Angiotensin receptor blocker / ACE inhibitor class of medicines.

Uses of Olmezest Am

Olmezest AM Tablet is used in the treatment of high blood pressure.

Key benefits

• Effective and well tolerated for long-term blood pressure control
• Useful in angina as well as hypertension
• Usually taken once a day
• Protects the kidneys in diabetes
• Reduces the long-term risk of stroke and heart attack

How Olmezest Am works

Olmezest AM Tablet is a combination of two medicines: Olmesartan Medoxomil and Amlodipine which lower blood pressure effectively. Olmesartan Medoxomil is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker (CCB). They work by relaxing the blood vessels and making the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body.

How to take Olmezest Am

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Olmezest AM Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Do not change the dose or stop early on your own.

Missed dose and overdose

If you miss a dose

Take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose is almost due, skip the one you missed — never take two doses together to catch up.

If you take too much

An overdose of this medicine can cause a severe fall in blood pressure and a dangerously slow or irregular heartbeat. It can cause a severe fall in blood pressure, with dizziness, fainting and a fast or slow pulse. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — go to the nearest emergency department and take the pack or strip with you.

Side effects of Olmezest Am

Most side effects of Olmezest Am are mild and settle as the body adjusts. Reported side effects include:

• Sleepiness Taste change Ankle swelling Headache Flushing (sense of warmth in the face
• ears
• neck and trunk) Dizziness Tiredness Palpitations Stomach upset Increased potassium level in blood

Stop the medicine and seek help immediately for a rash, swelling of the face or lips, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Tell your doctor about any side effect that persists or worries you.

Safety advice for Olmezest Am

Warnings and precautions

Ankle swelling is the commonest reason people stop this medicine — tell your doctor, as there are ways to manage it. Tell your doctor if your chest pain becomes more frequent or more severe after starting. Swollen, tender or overgrown gums should be reported; good brushing and regular dental care reduce the risk. Stand up slowly for the first few days — dizziness on rising is common when you start or your dose goes up. Stop and seek urgent care if your lips, tongue, face or throat swell, or you have difficulty breathing. A persistent dry, tickly cough can be caused by the ACE inhibitor group; tell your doctor rather than stopping on your own, as an alternative exists. Your doctor will check your kidney function and potassium after starting and after any dose change. Do not use salt substitutes containing potassium without asking your doctor.

Do not take Olmezest Am if

Not for anyone with a known allergy to this medicine or to any ingredient in the pack. Not for people with very low blood pressure or with severe narrowing of the aortic valve. Must not be used in pregnancy — it can seriously harm the developing baby. Not for people with narrowing of both kidney arteries, or a history of swelling of the face and throat caused by this group of medicines.

Interactions with other medicines

Grapefruit juice raises the level of some of these medicines in the blood — avoid it. Tell your doctor about other blood pressure medicines, and about simvastatin in particular. Anti-inflammatory painkillers reduce the effect and can harm the kidneys when combined. Potassium supplements, potassium-sparing water tablets and salt substitutes can push potassium too high. Lithium levels rise when taken with these medicines.

How to store Olmezest Am

Store below 30°C in the original pack, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Expert advice for Olmezest Am

Olmezest AM Tablet is a combination of two medicines that provides better blood pressure control than either medicine alone. Olmezest AM Tablet may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you. It may cause you to feel lightheaded or weak especially when you stand up.  Rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down.  Avoid consuming alcohol as it may enhance the blood pressure lowering effect of this medicine. It can cause ankle or foot swelling. Raise your legs while you are sitting down and talk to your doctor if it does not go away. Do not take Olmezest AM Tablet if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.

Manufacturer and class

Manufacturer:

SUN PHARMA

Therapeutic class:

Anti-hypertensive

Drug class:

Calcium channel blocker and Angiotensin receptor blocker / ACE inhibitor