A review of olmesartan medoxomil – a new angiotensin II receptor blocker

Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) has been shown to be effective in treating hypertension and heart failure. There are currently seven ARBs in clinical practice, of which olmesartan medoxomil (Olmetec®) is the newest agent in the class. This article reviews the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, efficacy, clinical use, dosing and cost of olmesartan medoxomil. This information is based on published data from human efficacy, safety and drug comparison studies. Olmesartan medoxomil (10–40 mg) has been shown consistently to achieve significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures in human studies, which persist over the course of one year. There are limited, mainly experimental, data on its use in heart failure and atherosclerosis.
It is an effective and well-tolerated agent with a long duration of action, allowing once-daily dosage in the treatment of hypertension.