Olmesartan Uses

Olmesartan is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Essential hypertension is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Olmesartan may be prescribed alone or in combination with other blood pressure medications such as a calcium channel blocker, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, beta blocker, or diuretic (water pill) for antihypertensive therapy (to control high blood pressure).

There may be other uses of olmesartan—your pharmacist or doctor can give you further drug information.

Olmesartan Mechanism of Action

Olmesartan belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. These blood pressure medications act on the renin angiotensin system in the body and block the action of a substance called angiotensin which tightens blood vessels. By blocking angiotensin, olmesartan therefore relaxes the vascular smooth muscle in the blood vessels, easing blood flow, and thereby lowering blood pressure and allowing the heart to work more efficiently.

Olmesartan Doses

Olmesartan is available in 5 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg tablets. The usual starting dose in adult hypertensive patients is 20 mg daily. The maintenance dose ranges between 20 and 40 mg daily, depending on the response. The dose of olmesartan in children between 6 and 16 years of age is based on the child’s body weight. Your child’s healthcare provider will determine the correct dose, but it is usually 10 mg daily for children with a body weight between 20 and 35 kg (44 and 77 lbs) and 20 mg daily for children with a body weight above 35 kg.