Olmesartan
Brand: Benicar (US/EU) / Olkem (IN) / Olsar (IN) / Olmesar (BD)
Antihypertensive
Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
Pharmacokinetics
| Half-life | 13 hours |
| Tmax | 2 h |
| Bioavailability | 25 % (approx) |
| Protein Binding | 99 % |
| Volume of Distribution | 0.3 L/kg (approx) |
| Clearance Route | hepatic |
| Active Metabolites | no |
| Notes | More potent ARB; monitor for chronic diarrhea/weight loss due to rare sprue-like enteropathy. |
⚠️ Safety & Warnings
Severity: Moderate
Adverse Effects:
Dizziness, hyperkalemia, hypotension; rare sprue-like enteropathy presenting as chronic diarrhea
Contraindications:
Pregnancy, bilateral renal artery stenosis
Precautions:
Investigate unexplained chronic diarrhea; monitor potassium and renal function; stop if enteropathy suspected