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Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Atacand's Role In The Treatment Of High Blood Pressure

By Ddace Bojanu


Benicar , a drug which is actually a included in a group of drugs generally known as angiotensin II receptor antagonists, is suitable for the treatment of hypertension, heart failure due to clogged arteries and veins and kidney diseases in type two diabetics. Its main component is olmesartan medoxomil.

These medications prevent blood vessels from narrowing which in turn lowers blood pressure and improves the blood flow throughout the body. This treatment can be used alone or with other high blood pressure medications.

Classified as a pro-drug, it needs to go through the body's metabolic process in order for it to be broken down and converted into an active agent in performing its function against a patient's health problem.

A full stomach is not required in taking this, it can certainly be ingested regardless of the last time you ate food. It is administered to both adults and children from 1 to 17 years of age. It can purchased in tablet form with strengths of 4mg, 8mg, 16mg and 32mg. First dosage is 16mg once a day and subsequent doses must be between 8 to 32mg to be taken one or two times a day.

This product is not recommended during pregnancy and the physician involved should be informed if a patient is pregnant before starting use of the medication. If a patient discovers they have conceived while on the treatment, they should stop using it and inform the doctor immediately. If used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, such drugs can seriously harm or even cause the death of a fetus and it is also contraindicated during breastfeeding. If patients have ever shown a reaction to medicines with sulfonamides in them, they should not use these drugs because the ingredient called hydrochlorothiazide in it is borrowed from that family of drugs.

Patients must veer away from drinking alcohol when under the care of this medication because alcohol lowers blood pressure even further and increases the occurrence of side effects. This drug can also increase a patient's salt levels which can result to kidney failure so it is best not use potassium substitutes unless advised by your physician. Slow heartbeat and muscle weakness are some of the signs of this condition.

Blood pressure will stabilize after 2 to 6 weeks of taking it, so regular checking and monitoring of blood pressure is a must. People with hypertension problems usually don't feel sick so it's important for patients to continue taking the medicine even when they feel well already.




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