Amlodipine-olmesartan

What Is Amlodipine-olmesartan?

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels.
Olmesartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Olmesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
Amlodipine and olmesartan is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Amlodipine and olmesartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Do not use amlodipine and olmesartan if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
If you have diabetes, do not use amlodipine and olmesartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc) or olmesartan (Benicar).
If you have diabetes, do not use amlodipine and olmesartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).
You may also need to avoid taking amlodipine and olmesartan with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
To make sure amlodipine and olmesartan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• liver disease;
• angina (chest pain);
• heart disease, coronary artery disease;
• congestive heart failure;
• if you are 75 years or older; or
• if you have recently had a heart attack.

If you are also taking a beta-blocker, do not suddenly stop using the beta blocker suddenly without first talking to your doctor. Stopping a beta blocker too quickly can cause serious heart problems that will not be prevented by amlodipine and olmesartan. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Amlodipine and olmesartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control.
It is not known whether amlodipine and olmesartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using amlodipine and olmesartan.

Amlodipine-olmesartan Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain;
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• severe or ongoing diarrhea with weight loss;
• little or no urinating;
• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine);
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling.

Common side effects include:

• dizziness, drowsiness;
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
• hair loss; or
• mild skin rash or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Amlodipine-olmesartan Interactions

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking amlodipine and olmesartan, unless your doctor has told you to.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with amlodipine and olmesartan, especially:

• colesevelam;
• lithium;
• simvastatin;
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others;
• a diuretic or "water pill"; or
• other medications that lower blood pressure.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with amlodipine and olmesartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Amlodipine-olmesartan Dosage

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
You may take this medication with or without food.
You may have very low blood pressure while taking this medication. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your kidney function may also need to be checked.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using amlodipine and olmesartan. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.