Olmesartan

Olmesartan (Benicar®,Olmetec®) belongs to the class of medicines called angiotensin II receptor antagonists to treat high blood pressure. It is marketed worldwide by Daiichi Sankyo, Ltd. and in the United States by Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and Forest Laboratories. Olmesartan works by blocking the binding of angiotension II to the AT₁ receptors in vascular muscle; it is therefore independent of angiotension II synthesis pathways, unlike ACE inhibitors. By blocking binding rather than synthesis of angiotension II, olmesartan inhibits the negative regulatory feedback on renin secretion. As a result of this blockage, olmesartan restricts vasoconstriction and the secretion of aldosterone. This lowers blood pressure by producing vasodilation, and decreasing peripheral resistance.

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Administration

Olmesartan is available in 5, 20, and 40 mg tablets. A normal dose for an adult (including the elderly and mild renal or hepatic impairment) is 20 mg/day in one dosage. This may be increased after two weeks to 40 mg/day if further blood pressure reduction is needed.

Side effects

Side effects include:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Upper respiratory tract infection

References

Hodgson, Barbara B., and Kizior, Robert J. Saunders Nursing Drug Handbook 2006. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier, Saunders, 2006.