Introduction

Abetis 20 is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. Lowering blood pressure helps to prevent future heart attack and stroke. This medicine is also effective in preserving kidney function in patients with diabetes. Abetis 20 can be prescribed either alone or in combination with other medicines. It may be taken with or without food during the day or at night. However, try to take it at the same time each day to get the maximum benefit. It is important to continue taking it regularly even if you feel well or if your blood pressure is controlled. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel ill, but if you stop taking this medicine, your condition could get worse. This is a widely used medicine and is considered safe for long-term use. Making some changes in your lifestyle will also help lower your blood pressure. These may include regular exercise, losing weight, smoking cessation, reducing alcohol intake, and reducing the amount of salt in your diet as advised by your doctor. This medicine is tolerated well by most patients and has few side effects. Dizziness, particularly after the first dose, is known to occur in some people. This may be associated with headache. Let your doctor know if these side effects bother you or do not go away. No weight gain has been seen with the regular use of this medicine. Before taking this medicine, let your doctor know if you have any kidney or liver problems. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should not take this medicine. Your doctor may check your kidney function, blood pressure and potassium levels in your blood at regular intervals while you are taking this medicine.

Uses of Abetis 20

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Heart failure
• Prevention of heart attack and stroke

Side effects of Abetis 20

• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Flu-like symptoms
• Headache
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Stomach pain

How to use Abetis 20

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Abetis 20 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How Abetis 20 works

Abetis 20 is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). It relaxes the blood vessel by blocking the action of a chemical that usually makes blood vessels tighter. This lowers the blood pressure, allowing the blood to flow more smoothly to different organs and the heart to pump more efficiently.

What if you forget to take Abetis 20?

If you miss a dose of Abetis 20, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Indication

Hypertension, Diabetic nephropathy,

Adult Dose

Oral Hypertension Adult: Initial: 10-20 mg once daily may then be increased up to max 40 mg once daily if needed. Elderly: No dosage adjustment needed. Hepatic impairment: Moderate: Initial: 10 mg once daily may increase up to max 20 mg once daily.

Child Dose

Oral Hypertension Child: 6-16 yr <35 kg: 10 mg once daily; dosage range: 10-20 mg/day >35 kg: 20 mg once daily. Doses may be doubled once if necessary after 2 wk. dosage range: 20-40 mg/day

Renal Dose

Renal impairment: Mild to moderate (CrCl: 20-60 mL/min): Max: 20 mg once daily.

Contraindication

Pregnancy (2nd and 3rd trimesters); biliary obstruction.

Mode of Action

Olmesartan is a selective and competitive angiotensin II Type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist that blocks the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II. As a result, olmesartan relaxes blood vessels, hence lowering BP and increases blood supply and oxygen to the heart.

Precaution

Drugs that act on renin-angiotensin system can cause fetal injury and death when used in 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. Olmesartan medoxomil should be discontinued as soon as possible once pregnancy is detected. Symptomatic hypotension may occur in patients who are volume- and/or salt-depleted. May be associated with oliguria, progressive azotaemia, and acute renal failure (rare). Patients with bilateral or unilateral renal artery stenosis may have increased risk of severe hypotension and renal insufficiency. Caution in renal impairment; monitor serum creatinine and potassium levels periodically. Avoid use in severe renal impairment (CrCl< 20 mL/min) and severe hepatic impairment. Caution in patients with aortic or mitral valve stenosis, obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Patients with primary aldosteronism may not respond to angiotensin receptor antagonist. Not recommended in lactation. Lactation: No human data; use with caution

Side Effect

1-10% Dizziness,Headache,Fatigue,Diarrhea,Hyperglycemia,Hypertriglyceridemia,Back pain,Bronchitis,Inflicted injury,Flulike symptoms,Pharyngitis,Rhinitis,Sinusitis,Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) Frequency Not Defined (selected) Anaphylactic reaction,Angioedema,Facial edema,Rhabdomyolysis,Hyperkalemia,Tachycardia,Hypercholesterolemia,Gastroenteritis,Hyperlipidemia Potentially Fatal: Acute renal failure.

Pregnancy Category Note

Pregnancy category: 1st trimester, C; 2nd and 3rd trimesters, D

Interaction

Increased risk of hyperkalaemia w/ ACE inhibitors, K-sparing diuretics, K salts or K supplements and drugs that may increase serum K (e.g. ciclosporin, eplerenone). May potentiate BP lowering effects w/ other antihypertensives. May decrease glomerular filtration w/ NSAIDs which can cause acute renal failure. May increase serum concentrations and toxicity of lithium