INTRODUCTION

OLMEZEST CH 20MG is a combination of Chlorthalidone and Olmesartan which belongs to the group of medicines called Thiazide diuretics and Angiotensin-II receptor antagonists respectively. OLMEZEST CH 20MG is indicated for the management of essential hypertension. Essential hypertension (also known as primary hypertension) is a medical condition in which the force of the blood exerted against the walls of the artery remains very high, and as a result it may lead to severe damage to the walls of blood vessels supplying various important organs. It occurs without any known secondary cause and if remains unmanageed it can lead to severe problems such as heart attack, heart or kidney failure, stroke, or even blindness.

Olmesartan is an Angiotensin-II receptor antagonist that effectively reduces blood pressure by blocking the actions of Angiotensin – II (a substance that causes narrowing of blood vessels and increase in blood pressure) at the angiotensin type-I receptors and chlorthalidone is a thiazide diuretic that acts by increasing urinary excretion of sodium and water, thus reducing blood volume followed by a marked decrease in blood pressure. Along management with OLMEZEST CH 20MG follow the lifestyle modifications (such as losing weight, quitting smoking or alcohol intake) as advised by your physician along with a healthy balanced diet and a regular physical activity (such as walking or swimming).

During course of the management with OLMEZEST CH 20MG, your doctor might regularly check your blood pressure, kidney function and electrolyte balance to avoid the risk of side effects. Avoid eating grapefruit or consuming grapefruit juice while taking OLMEZEST CH 20MG as it could potentiate the blood pressure lowering effect of this medicine. Before taking OLMEZEST CH 20MG, inform your doctor if you have diabetes, liver, kidney, or heart disease as a precaution.

OLMEZEST CH 20MG is strictly not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women as it could cause serious harm to the baby. The most common side effects of taking OLMEZEST CH 20MG are headache, dizziness, tiredness, nausea, stomach pain, lack of appetite or electrolyte imbalance. Consult your doctor if any of the symptoms worsen.

USES OF OLMEZEST CH 20MG

• Manages essential hypertension

HOW OLMEZEST CH 20MG WORKS

OLMEZEST CH 20MG effectively reduce elevated blood pressure where olmesartan acts by blocking the actions of Angiotensin – II (a substance that causes narrowing of blood vessels and increase in blood pressure) at the angiotensin type-I receptors of the vascular smooth muscle and chlorthalidone acts by increasing the urinary excretion of sodium and water by inhibiting sodium-chloride reabsorption in the kidneys, thus leading to a marked decrease in blood pressure.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take OLMEZEST CH 20MG as advised by your physician. Swallow OLMEZEST CH 20MG with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF OLMEZEST CH 20MG

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea and vomiting:

Try to take OLMEZEST CH 20MG with or just after a meal or a snack. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating rich or spicy food. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve.

Diarrhea:

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or fruit juices to keep yourself hydrated. Avoid taking any medicine on your own for manageing diarrhea. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve.

Headache:

Rest and relax. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Apply a pain-relieving balm on the head if required. Do not consume too much of alcohol. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve.

Dizziness:

Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines while you are feeling dizzy. Do not consume too much of alcohol, as it can aggravate your dizziness. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve.

Constipation: 

Eat fiber rich foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables and cereals and drink plenty of water. Try to exercise more regularly. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve on its own.

Stomach pain:

Rest and relax. Eat and drink slowly or try to have smaller and frequent meals. Keep a heat pad on your stomach. Do not self-manage on your own and consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve on its own.

Loss of appetite:

Eat when you are hungry. Try to eat smaller meals more often than usual. Snack only when you're hungry. Try to have a nutritious snack that is high in calories and protein, such as dried fruit and nuts.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking OLMEZEST CH 20MG inform to your doctor, if you are taking any of these medicines:

• other medicines used to reduce hypertension and other heart problems such as ACE inhibitors (Ex. captopril, enalapril), angiotensin receptor blockers (Ex. losartan, valsartan), calcium channel blockers (Ex. nifedipine, diltiazem, verapamil), beta-blockers (Ex. atenolol, propranolol), vasodilators (Ex. nitroglycerin, bosentan), digoxin, methyldopa, guanethidine or aliskiren
• lithium (used to manage depression or other mental illness)
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (used to manage pain or inflammation) Ex. indomethacin
• simvastatin, colesevelam and cholestyramine (used to control high blood cholesterol levels)
• antacids (used to neutralize stomach acid) Ex. aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide
• ketoconazole, itraconazole or amphotericin (used to manage fungal infections)
• protease inhibitors (used to manage HIV infections) Ex. ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir
• certain antibiotics (used to manage bacterial infections) Ex. rifampicin, erythromycin, clarithromycin
• hypericum perforatum (an herbal medicine used to manage depression)
• dantrolene (used to manage muscle spasticity)
• immunosuppressant (used to suppress immune function and prevent graft rejection) Ex. tacrolimus, sirolimus, temsirolimus, everolimus, or cyclosporine
• adrenocorticotropic hormone (used to manage various endocrine disorders)
• corticosteroids (used to manage allergic or inflammatory diseases and immune reactions) such as prednisolone or betamethasone
• anticholinergics (used to reduce stomach spasms or cramps) such as atropine, biperiden or hyoscine butyl bromide
• cyclophosphamide or methotrexate (used to manage certain forms of cancer)
• salbutamol or formoterol (used to manage asthma)
• amantadine (a medicine used to manage viral infections or Parkinson’s disease)
• allopurinol (a medicine used to manage gout)
• carbenoxolone (a medicine used to manage stomach ulcers)
• calcium salts or vitamin D (used as a supplement)
• medicines used to manage diabetes (Ex. insulin, chlorpropamide or glibenclamide)
• diazoxide (used to manage low blood glucose levels)
• medicines that can alter blood potassium levels such as potassium-sparing diuretics (Ex. spironolactone, acetazolamide), salt substitutes containing potassium (Ex. losartan potassium) and heparin sodium

B. Drug-Food interaction:

OLMEZEST CH 20MG can be taken with or without food. Avoid consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking OLMEZEST CH 20MG as it could cause severe decrease in blood pressure.

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally take too much of OLMEZEST CH 20MG, contact your doctor immediately or go to a hospital straight away. Overdosage symptoms of OLMEZEST CH 20MG might include dizziness, excess sleepiness, nausea, hypovolemia, low blood pressure, and electrolyte disturbances associated with cardiac arrhythmias and muscle spasms.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep OLMEZEST CH 20MG out of reach of children
• Store OLMEZEST CH 20MG at room temperature