title: Olmesartan medoxomil: current status of its use in monotherapy.
abstract: Olmesartan medoxomil is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. In pooled analyses of seven randomized, double-blind trials, 8 weeks' treatment with olmesartan medoxomil was significantly more effective than placebo in terms of the response rate, proportion of patients achieving target blood pressure (BP) and mean change from baseline in diastolic (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Olmesartan medoxomil had a fast onset of action, with significant between-group differences evident from 2 weeks onwards. The drug was well tolerated with a similar adverse event profile to placebo. In patients with type 2 diabetes, olmesartan medoxomil reduced renal vascular resistance, increased renal perfusion, and reduced oxidative stress. In several large, randomized, double-blind trials, olmesartan medoxomil 20 mg has been shown to be significantly more effective, in terms of primary endpoints, than recommended doses of losartan, valsartan, irbesartan, or candesartan cilexetil, and to provide better 24 h BP protection. Olmesartan medoxomil was at least as effective as amlodipine, felodipine and atenolol, and significantly more effective than captopril. The efficacy of olmesartan medoxomil in reducing cardiovascular risk beyond BP reduction is currently being investigated in trials involving patients at high risk due to atherosclerosis or type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Lausanne University, Lausanne and Medizinische Poliklik, Universitaetsspital, Basel, Switzerland. hrbrunner13@bluewin.ch
authors.forename: Hans R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Brunner
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016527:Drug Costs; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068557:Olmesartan Medoxomil; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D012107:Research Design; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D007093:Imidazoles; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000068557:Olmesartan Medoxomil