What is amlodipine and olmesartan?
Amlodipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the
muscles of your heart and blood vessels.
Olmesartan is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Olmesartan keeps
blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
The combination of amlodipine and olmesartan is used to treat high blood pressure
(hypertension).
Amlodipine and olmesartan may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amlodipine and olmesartan?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc) or
olmesartan (Benicar).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely take amlodipine and olmesartan.
-
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
-
liver disease;
-
congestive heart failure;
-
if you are vomiting or having diarrhea; or
-
if you have recently had a heart attack.
If you are also taking a beta-blocker drug (such as Blocadren, Corgard,
Inderal, Normodyne, Tenormin, Toprol, Trandate, Zibeta, and others) do not suddenly stop using the
beta-blocker without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop
the medication completely. Stopping a beta-blocker too quickly can cause serious heart problems that
will not be prevented by amlodipine and olmesartan.
FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby.
Olmesartan may cause injury and even death to the unborn baby if you take it during the second and
third trimesters of pregnancy.
Do not use amlodipine and olmesartan without your
doctor's consent if you are pregnant.
Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using
this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether amlodipine and olmesartan passes into breast milk or if it could
harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I take amlodipine and olmesartan?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this
medication.
Take this medication with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
You may take this medication with or without food.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be
checked on a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any
scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you need to undergo kidney dialysis or have any type of surgery, tell the doctor ahead of
time that you are using amlodipine and olmesartan.
Keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store amlodipine and olmesartan at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of amlodipine and olmesartan?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about amlodipine and olmesartan?
Your pharmacist has information about amlodipine and olmesartan written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of amlodipine and olmesartan?
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.
In rare cases, amlodipine and olmesartan can cause a condition that results in the
breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark
colored urine.
Call your doctor at once if you have any other serious side effects, such as:
-
feeling like you might pass out;
-
swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain;
-
fast or pounding heartbeats;
-
urinating less than usual or not at all;
-
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
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chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or
shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling.
Less serious side effects include:
-
dizziness, drowsiness;
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warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin;
-
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.
What is the most important information I should know about amlodipine and olmesartan?
Do not
use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant.
Olmesartan may cause injury and even death to the unborn baby if you take it during the second and
third trimesters of pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell
your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
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.
Call your doctor at once if you have swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain, fast or
pounding heartbeats, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), chest pain or heavy feeling, pain
spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling, or if you feel like you might pass
out.
In rare cases, amlodipine and olmesartan can cause a condition that results in the
breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark
colored urine.
What should I avoid while taking amlodipine and olmesartan?
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.
What other drugs will affect amlodipine and olmesartan?
Before taking amlodipine and olmesartan, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following
drugs:
-
heart medication;
-
potassium supplements or salt substitutes;
-
diuretics (water pills); or
-
other medications that lower blood pressure.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
amlodipine and olmesartan. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of amlodipine and olmesartan?
