Antihypertensive efficacy of olmesartan medoxomil alone and in combination with hydrochlorothiazide.
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are highly effective antihypertensive agents with excellent safety profiles. ARBs have been shown to improve cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients with heart failure or diabetic nephropathy. For this later class of patients, the American Diabetes Association recommends ARBs as the primary treatment option. The ARBs function by blocking the binding of angiotensin-II (A-II) to its receptor, thereby inhibiting the action of A-II. Unlike the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which block the production of A-II through the ACE pathway, the ARBs effectively inhibit A-II regardless of whether it is produced through ACE or some alternate enzyme pathway. This difference in action offers a distinct advantage of ARBs over ACE inhibitors. Olmesartan medoxomil, the latest addition to the ARB class, is a long-acting, safe and well-tolerated antihypertensive drug. The combination of olmesartan medoxomil with a low-dose diuretic, potentiates the blood pressure lowering effect of either agent alone and is highly effective in achieving the recommended blood pressure goals in the majority of patients treated.
Chrysant
Steven G
SG
University of Oklahoma School of Medicine & Oklahoma Cardiovascular and Hypertension Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA. schrysant@yahoo.com
Chrysant
George S
GS
D057912:Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Blockers; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004232:Diuretics; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068557:Olmesartan Medoxomil; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D057912:Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Blockers; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D007093:Imidazoles; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D013777:Tetrazoles; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D000068557:Olmesartan Medoxomil