Generic Name and Formulations:
Olmesartan medoxomil 5mg, 20mg, 40mg; tabs.

Company:
Daiichi Sankyo

Indications for BENICAR:
Hypertension.

Adult Dose for BENICAR:
Individualize. ≥16yrs: Monotherapy, not volume-depleted: initially 20mg once daily; may increase to max 40mg once daily after 2 weeks. Volume-depleted (eg, concomitant diuretic): consider lower initial dose.

Children's Dose for BENICAR:
Individualize. <1yr: do not give. <6yrs: not recommended. 6–16yrs: (20kg to <35kg): initially 10mg once daily; may increase to max 20mg once daily after 2 weeks; (≥35kg): initially 20mg once daily; may increase to max 40mg once daily after 2 weeks. Tablets may be prepared as an oral suspension if unable to swallow: see literature.

Pharmacological Class:
Angiotensin II receptor blocker.

Contraindications:
Concomitant aliskiren in patients with diabetes.

Warnings/Precautions:
Fetal toxicity may develop; discontinue if pregnancy is detected. Correct salt/volume depletion before beginning therapy, or monitor closely. Renal impairment: monitor for worsening renal function. Severe CHF. Renal artery stenosis. Possibly less effective in black patients. Elderly. Neonates. Pregnancy (Cat.D); monitor. Nursing mothers: not recommended.

Interactions:
May be antagonized by, and renal toxicity potentiated by NSAIDs, including selective COX-2 inhibitors (monitor renal function periodically in elderly and/or volume-depleted). Dual inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system with ARBs, ACEIs, or aliskiren may increase risk of hypotension, hyperkalemia, renal function changes; monitor closely. Concomitant aliskiren in renal impairment (CrCl <60mL/min): not recommended. Take 4hrs before colesevelam HCl dose.

Adverse Reactions:
Dizziness, possible sprue-like enteropathy, rhabdomyolysis (rare).

Elimination:
Renal, fecal.

Generic Availability:
NO

How Supplied:
Tabs 5mg—30; 20mg, 40mg—30, 90