PRESENTATION: Olmesartan 10mg/20mg tablets

DRUG CLASS: Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker

MECHANISM OF ACTION: OlmesartanMedoxomil belongs to the class of drugs known as angiotensin 2 receptor blockers or ARBs that block the binding of angiotensin 2 to its receptor. Angiotensin 2 is a part of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS), an important pathway through which many of the anti-hypertensive drugs work.

Angiotensin 2 causes:

●     Tightening of blood vessels (systemic vasoconstriction in the arteries).

●     Increase in sodium re-absorption and as a result increased water retention in the kidney tubules. This results in increase in blood volume, forcing the heart to pump out more blood while contracting. This increases cardiac output.

●     Release of a steroid hormone aldosterone that also acts to increase sodium and water retention.

●     Vasoconstriction and sodium re-absorption cause an increase in blood pressure.

 When ARBs like Olmesartan Medoxomil block angiotensin 2 from binding to its receptor:

      ●     The blood vessels stay open (vasodilation).

●     There is reduction in the secretion of aldosterone.

These effects reduce blood pressure. Blood flows more smoothly through the blood vessels and the heart is able to pump more efficiently.

INDICATIONS: Hypertension

DOSAGE: As Directed by the Physician