Sofvasc OLM 5mg/20mg tablet

Introduction

Expert Advice

• This medicine can be taken with or without meals
• If there is prolonged diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, joint pain, back pain, chest pain, palpitations, unrelieved headache or flu-like symptoms, then immediately call your doctor.
• Exercising in hot weather & excessive intake of alcohol should be avoided.
• Keep a check on blood glucose levels and inform prescriber of the changes.

Primary Uses

Indications

It is an angiotensin II antagonist (acts against angiotensin 2 hormone) and is indicated in the treatment of essential hypertension (primary hypertension i.e rise in blood pressure).

Side Effects

Patients using this medication may at times experience dizziness, headache, edema (collection of body fluid in tissues and body cavities), and fatigue. If you experience any of these symptoms for a prolonged period of time, please consult your doctor.

Contraindications

This medicine is contraindicated in cases of biliary obstruction (blockage of bile carrying duct), primary aldosteronism (hormonal disorder leading to high blood pressure), severe liver & in severe kidney impairment.

FAQS

What are the uses of Olmesartan Medoxomil?

This medication is used for treating high blood pressure (hypertension). A normal blood pressure is necessary for prevention of strokes, heart attack, and kidney disease.

How to store Olmesartan Medoxomil?

Please store this medicine at room temperature (18-25 Celsius). Keep medicine away from excessive light, moisture, and children. Please do not flush medicines down the toilet. Please read the leaflet provided with the medicine for further storage guidance.

Does this medicine cause stomach problems?

According to a study nausea and vomiting is experienced in 68% of the patients, abdominal pain in 50%, bloating in 41% & fatigue in 68%. But all these symptoms disappear when Olmesartan is stopped.

How does this medicine produce its effect on heart?

It produces its effect by first blocking angiotensin II receptor (ARB). Hence by blocking this substance, the tightening of the blood vessels is reduced and Olmesartan finally relaxes & lowers the pressure on blood vessels.

What are the 7 drinks that help lower blood pressure?

Natural drinks reducing BP include tomato juice, beet juice, prune juice, pomegranate juice, skim milk & tea.

Which other medicines interact with Olmesartan?

Drugs like aliskiren, lithium, drugs increasing potassium level in blood (like ACE inhibitors benazepril/lisinopril, birth control pills having drospirenone).

Which medicines should be avoided with Amlodidpine?

As per FDA recommendation, simvastatin dosage should be limited to 20 mg daily while taking amlodipine. Also, all the CYP3A4 enzyme inhibitors like diltiazem, ketoconazole, itraconazole & ritonavir should be avoided while taking amlodipine.

I have been experiencing swelling in hands and foot since I started using the medicine. I amconcerned whether this swelling will persist?

You don’t need to worry about the swelling, as it is one of the very common adverse effects of the drug. This will go off once you withdraw its use. But you still need to consult your physician if the condition is getting worse.

When is it safe to discontinue the medicine?

You are not advised to do so abruptly nor are you supposed to make this decision by yourself. Consult with your physician, who will most probably advise for a gradual withdrawal. This is done to avoid the chest pain and relapse of high blood pressure, which is usually observed in such scenarios.

In what forms is the medicine available?

It is available in tablet, drops and I/V (intravenous) forms.

I am a patient of dialysis and have a history of getting treated for hepatitis C too. So, is the medicine safe for me?

No, the drug is not safe for any kind of kidney or liver disease. Consult your physician for an alternative.

What is the best time to take this medicine?

It doesn’t really matter at what time of the day you take amlodipine, but it is best to take it at the exact time every day, for more even blood levels & more effectiveness of the medicine.

Why taking this medicine at night is useful?

New research shows that administering blood pressure medicines at bedtime effectively helps to reduce your risk of illness or death due to blood vessel & heart disease. Timings are important as BP follows a daily rhythm. It is high during the day & falls at nighttime.

How much does this medicine help reduce blood pressure?

It is seen that titration of amlodipine from 5-10 mg every day in patients not responding to the treatment with 5 mg dose showed significant decrease in BP.