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Olmesartan Medoxomil

Olmesartan medoxomil is an angiotensin II receptor blocker. Its FDA label states it is indicated for the treatment of hypertension in adults and children aged six and older, alone or with other antihypertensive agents, and that lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, mainly strokes and heart attacks. MedlinePlus explains that it works by blocking the action of substances that tighten blood vessels, letting blood flow more smoothly.

Benicar

Hypertension

10mg · 20mg · 40mg

Formulated to alleviate arterial constriction to support long-term cardiovascular performance and target peripheral vasodilation.

From$1.08/ tabletView

Benicar Hct

Hypertension

40mg + 12.5mg

Intended to relieve stubborn hypertension to support lower vascular volume and target systemic blood pressure reduction.

From$1.56/ tabletView

Azor

Hypertension

20mg + 5mg · 40mg + 5mg

Designed to support arterial pressure management to manage vascular resistance and mitigate cardiac workload.

From$1.53/ tabletView

Tribenzor

Hypertension

20mg + 5mg + 12.5mg

Designed to support blood pressure management to manage vascular tone and alleviate cardiac workload.

From$1.74/ tabletView

Key points

  • Olmesartan medoxomil is an angiotensin II receptor blocker used to treat hypertension.
  • During absorption from the gut, it is rapidly and completely converted to its active form, olmesartan, by ester hydrolysis.
  • After an oral dose, olmesartan reaches its peak plasma concentration in one to two hours and has a terminal elimination half-life of around 13 hours.

The fetal toxicity boxed warning

Olmesartan medoxomil’s label carries a boxed warning for fetal toxicity. It can cause fetal harm when given to a pregnant woman: drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system during the second and third trimesters reduce fetal kidney function and raise the risk of fetal and neonatal illness and death. The resulting reduced amniotic fluid can bring lung underdevelopment and skeletal deformity, and the label lists skull underdevelopment, absent urine output, low blood pressure, kidney failure and death as potential effects in the newborn. When pregnancy is detected, the label calls for discontinuing olmesartan medoxomil as soon as possible. MedlinePlus gives the same instruction in patient-facing terms: olmesartan may cause death or serious injury to the fetus when taken in the last six months of pregnancy.

Further reading