Olmesartan is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure. Although it is not a cure, it does cause blood vessels to relax, allowing more blood to flow from the heart to the rest of the body and lowering blood pressure. Olmesartan is usually taken on a daily basis, and, as with any medication, side effects, such as dizziness, are possible.
Olmesartan medoxomil (
Benicar®) is a prescription medicine that has been licensed to treat
high blood pressure (
hypertension) in adults. Olmesartan has not been approved for use in children.
Olmesartan is manufactured by Sankyo Pharma, Inc.
How Does Olmesartan Work?
Olmesartan is part of a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers, or ARBs for short. As the name implies, olmesartan blocks angiotensin II receptors. This decreases the effectiveness of a chemical known as angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow (constrict). By blocking the effects of angiotensin II, olmesartan causes blood vessels to relax, which can
lower blood pressure.
A
blood pressure reading consists of two numbers -- for example, 120/80. The top number is known as the
systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is the
diastolic blood pressure. During clinical studies in people taking olmesartan 40 mg, systolic
blood pressure decreased by 12 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) on average and diastolic blood pressure decreased by 7 mmHg on average. Lower doses of olmesartan resulted in a smaller drop in blood pressure.
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print