Amlodipine-olmesartan

Azor is the brand name of a combination drug that contains amlodipine and olmesartan. It's a prescription medicine used to treat high blood pressure.

Amlodipine belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing muscles in the heart and around blood vessels.

Olmesartan belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). It works by stopping blood vessels from narrowing.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Azor in 2007. It's manufactured by Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.

Azor Warnings

Before taking Azor, tell your doctor if you have, or have ever had:

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Chest pain
• Heart disease, a heart attack, congestive heart failure, or another heart problem
• Diabetes
• Allergies to medications

Older adults may be more sensitive to certain side effects of Azor. Ask your doctor about these side effects and your risks.

You may feel dizzy if you get up too quickly from a sitting or lying position while taking this medicine. Try to get up slowly and steadily, to reduce your risk of falling.

Tell your doctor if you experience prolonged sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting while taking Azor. These may be signs of very low blood pressure, and they could indicate a high risk of becoming dehydrated.

Don't use any potassium supplements or salt substitutes while taking Azor, unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Let your doctor know if you take another medicine that contains aliskiren (such as Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, or Valturna) before taking Azor.

In rare cases, Azor can cause a condition that leads to kidney failure. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness (especially if you also have a fever)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dark-colored urine

Let your healthcare provider know you're taking this medicine before having any type of surgery, including a dental procedure.

Continue to take Azor even if you feel well. Don't stop taking this medicine without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Your doctor will want to check your blood pressure and kidney function often while you take Azor. Keep all appointments with your doctor's office and laboratory.

Pregnancy and Azor

Azor contains a black box warning because it can harm an unborn baby.

Don't take this medicine if you're pregnant or might become pregnant.

Use an effective method of birth control while taking Azor. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

It's not known whether Azor passes into breast milk or could hurt a breastfeeding baby.

Don't breastfeed while taking this medicine without talking to your doctor first.

Amlodipine & Olmesartan is part of the drug class:

• Angiotensin II antagonists and calcium channel blockers

Serious side effects have been reported with amlodipine/olmesartan. See the “Drug Precautions” section.

Common side effects of amlodipine/olmesartan include:

• low blood pressure
• flushing of the cheeks
• palpitations (a pounding or racing heartbeat)
• drowsiness
• dizziness or orthostasis (feeling lightheaded when rising from a sitting or lying down position)
• edema (

This is not a complete list of amlodipine/olmesartan side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• simvastatin (Zocor)
• colesevelam (WelChol)
• potassium-sparing diuretics such as:
  • spironolactone (Aldactone)
  • triamterene (Dyrenium)
  • amiloride (Midamor)
• angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as:
  • benazepril (Lotensin, Lotensin HCT)
  • captopril (Capoten, Capozide)
  • enalapril (Vasotec, Vaseretic)
  • fosinopril (Monopril, Monopril HCT)
  • lisinopril (Prinivil, Prinzide, Zestril, Zestoretic)
  • moexipril (Univasc, Uniretic)
  • quinapril (Accupril, Accuretic, Quinaretic)
  • ramipril (Altace)
  • trandolapril (Mavik, Tarka)
• other angiotensin receptor II blockers such as:
  • azilsartan (Edarbi)
  • candesartan (Atacand)
  • irbesartan (Avapro)
  • losartan (Cozaar)
  • olmesartan (Benicar)
  • telmisartan (Micardis, Twynsta)
  • valsartan (Diovan)
• aspirin and other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as:
  • celecoxib (Celebrex)
  • diclofenac (Cambia, Cataflam, Flector, Voltaren, Zipsor and others)
  • etodolac (Lodine)
  • ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin)
  • indomethacin (Indocin, Indocin SR)
  • ketoprofen (Orudis, Actron, Oruvail)
  • ketorolac (Toradol)
  • meloxicam (Mobic)
  • nabumetone (Relafen)
  • naproxen (Naprosyn)
  • naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan)
  • oxaprozin (Daypro)
  • piroxicam (Feldene)
• potassium supplements
• aliskiren (Tekturna,Tekturna HCT, Amturnide, Tekamlo, Valturna)

This is not a complete list of amlodipine/olmesartan drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking amlodipine/olmesartan, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to amlodipine/olmesartan or any of this medication’s ingredients
• are taking aliskiren (Tekturna, Tekturna HCT, Amturnide, Tekamlo, Valturna)
• have kidney or liver dysfunction
• have heart problems such as CAD or heart failure
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

• Take amlodipine/olmesartan exactly as prescribed.
• This medication comes in tablet form and is taken once a day, with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, it is recommended to take with food.
• It is best to take amlodipine/olmesartan at the same time everyday.
• If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of amlodipine/olmesartan at the same time.

• Take amlodipine/olmesartan exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. The recommended starting dose of amlodipine/olmesartan is 5/20 mg once daily.
• Your doctor may increase your dose as necessary to achieve the desired blood pressure.
• The maximum recommended dose of amlodipine/olmesartan is 10/40 mg once daily.

If you take too much amlodipine/olmesartan call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.