Details for: APO-OLMESARTAN/HCTZ

BEFORE you use APO-OLMESARTAN/HCTZ talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you:

• Have had skin cancer or have a family history of skin cancer.
• Have a greater chance of developing skin cancer because you have light-coloured skin, get sunburned easily, or are taking drugs to suppress your immune system.
• Are allergic to any drug used to lower blood pressure, including angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, or penicillin.
• Have narrowing of an artery or a heart valve.
• Have had a heart attack or stroke.
• Have heart failure.
• Have diabetes, liver or kidney disease.
• Are taking a medicine that contains aliskirin, such as Rasilez, used to lower high blood pressure. The combination with APO-OLMESARTAN/HCTZ is not recommended.
• Are taking an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI). You can recognize ACEIs because their medicinal ingredient ends in “-PRIL”.
• Have lupus or gout.
• Are on dialysis.
• Are dehydrated or suffer from excessive vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating.
• Are taking a salt substitute that contains potassium, potassium supplements, or a potassium-sparing diuretic (a specific kind of “water pill”).
• Are on a low-salt diet.
• Are less than 18 years old.
• Are taking any medication including non-prescription or herbal products.
• You have to undergo any kind of surgery and general anesthesia.

Risk of skin cancer:
APO-OLMESARTAN/HCTZ contains hydrochlorothiazide.Treatment with hydrochlorothiazide may increase the risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer. The risk is higher if you have been taking APO-OLMESARTAN/HCTZ for many years (more than 3) or at a high dose.

While taking APO-OLMESARTAN/HCTZ:

• Make sure to regularly check your skin for any new lesions. Check areas that are most exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, hands, shoulders, upper chest and back.
• Limit your exposure to the sun and to indoor tanning. Always use sunscreen (SPF-30 or higher) and wear protective clothing when going out side.
• Talk to your doctor immediately if you get more sensitive to the sun or UV light or if you develop an unexpected skin lesion (such as a lump, bump, sore, or patch) during the treatment.

APO-OLMESARTAN/HCTZ can cause severe chronic diarrhea with substantial weight loss (sprue-like enteropathy). It can take months to years for symptoms to develop.

Hydrochlorothiazide in APO-OLMESARTAN/HCTZ can cause Sudden Eye Disorders:

• Myopia: sudden nearsightedness or blurred vision.
• Glaucoma: an increased pressure in your eyes, eye pain. Untreated, it may lead to permanent vision loss. These eye disorders are related and can develop within hours to weeks of starting APO-OLMESARTAN/HCTZ.

You may become sensitive to the sun while taking APO-OLMESARTAN/HCTZ. Exposure to sunlight should be minimized until you know how you respond.

Driving and using machines: Before you perform tasks which may require special attention, wait until you know how you respond to APO-OLMESARTAN/HCTZ. Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting can especially occur after the first dose and when the dose is increased.

Avoid alcoholic beverages until you have discussed their use with your physician. Alcohol consumption may alter your blood pressure.

If APO-OLMESARTAN/HCTZ is taken with medicines to reduce pain and swelling (called Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or with COX-2 inhibitors), you may experience:

• Decreased kidney function or sudden kidney failure. If you notice a decrease in the amount of urine you produce, generalized swelling, weakness, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeats, loss of appetite, lethargy, and fatigue, contact your doctor or go to the emergency department of the hospital right away.
• A decreased ability of APO-OLMESARTAN/HCTZ to lower your blood pressure. This means that APO-OLMESARTAN/HCTZ may not be able to lower your blood pressure as it is expected to do. If this happens, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.