Olmetec Plus is indicated for the treatment of hypertension.
Olmetec Plus is indicated for use in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately
controlled by olmesartan medoxomil or hydrochlorothiazide alone.
 

Adults
Olmetec Plus is administered once daily, with or without food. in patients whose
blood pressure is not adequately controlled by olmesartan medoxomil or
hydrochlorothiazide alone. When clinically appropriate, direct change from
monotherapy to the fixed combination may be considered, taking into account that
the antihypertensive effect of olmesartan medoxomil is maximal by about 8 weeks
after initiating therapy (see section 5.1).
Dose titration of the individual components is recommended:
20 mg olmesartan medoxomil/12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide may be administered in
patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled by the optimal
monotherapy olmesartan medoxomil 20 mg alone.
20 mg olmesartan medoxomil/ 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide may be administered in
patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled by 20 mg olmesartan
medoxomil/ 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide.
Olmetec Plus 40 mg/12.5 mg may be administered in patients whose blood pressure
is not adequately controlled by olmesartan medoxomil 40 mg alone.
Olmetec Plus 40 mg /25 mg may be administered in patients whose blood pressure is
not adequately controlled on Olmetec Plus 40 mg/12.5 mg fixed dose combination.”
For convenience, patients receiving olmesartan medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide
from separate tablets may be switched to Olmetec Plus tablets containing the same
component doses.
Elderly (age 65 years or older)
In elderly patients the same dosage of the combination is recommended as for
adults.
Blood pressure should be closely monitored.
Renal impairment
When Olmetec Plus is used in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment
(creatinine clearance of 30 – 60 ml/min) periodic monitoring of renal function is
advised (see section 4.4). Olmetec Plus is contraindicated in patients with severe
renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min) (see section 4.3).
Hepatic impairment
Olmetec Plus should be used with caution in patients with mild to moderate hepatic
impairment (see sections 4.4, 5.2). In patients with moderate hepatic impairment, an
initial dose of 10 mg olmesartan medoxomil once daily is recommended and the
maximum dose should not exceed 20 mg once daily. Close monitoring of blood
pressure and renal function is advised in hepatically-impaired patients who are
receiving diuretics and/or other antihypertensive agents. There is no experience of
olmesartan medoxomil in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Olmetec Plus should not be used in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see
sections 4.3, 5.2), cholestasis and biliary obstruction (see section 4.3).
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of Olmetec Plus in children and adolescents below 18 years
has not been established. No data are available.
Method of administration:
The tablet should be swallowed with a sufficient amount of fluid (e.g. one glass of
water). The tablet should not be chewed and should be taken at the same time each
day.
 

Dual Blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin-aldosterone System (RAAS):
Combination of Olmesartan / Hydrochlorothiazide with ACE inhibitors, or aliskiren
may cause increased risks of hyperkalemia, worsening of kidney function and
hypotension. Therefore, this combination should not be used, especially in patients
with kidney problems.
Intravascular volume depletion:
Symptomatic hypotension, especially after the first dose, may occur in patients who
are volume and/or sodium depleted by vigorous diuretic therapy, dietary salt
restriction, diarrhoea or vomiting. Such conditions should be corrected before the
administration of Olmetec Plus.
Other conditions with stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system:
In patients whose vascular tone and renal function depend predominantly on the
activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (e.g. patients with severe
congestive heart failure or underlying renal disease, including renal artery stenosis),
treatment with medicinal products that affect this system has been associated with
acute hypotension, azotaemia, oliguria or, rarely, acute renal failure.
Renovascular hypertension:
There is an increased risk of severe hypotension and renal insufficiency when
patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis or stenosis of the artery to a single
functioning kidney are treated with medicinal products that affect the reninangiotensin-aldosterone system.
Renal impairment and kidney transplantation:
Olmetec Plus should not be used in patients with severe renal impairment
(creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min) (see section 4.3). No dosage adjustment is
necessary in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance
is 30 ml/min, < 60 mL/min). However, in such patients Olmetec Plus should be
administered with caution and periodic monitoring of serum potassium, creatinine
and uric acid levels is recommended. Thiazide diuretic-associated azotaemia may
occur in patients with impaired renal function. If progressive renal impairment
becomes evident, careful reappraisal of therapy is necessary, with consideration
given to discontinuing diuretic therapy. There is no experience of the administration
of Olmetec Plus in patients with a recent kidney transplantation.
Hepatic impairment:
There is currently no experience of olmesartan medoxomil in patients with severe
hepatic impairment. Furthermore, minor alterations of fluid and electrolyte balance
during thiazide therapy may precipitate hepatic coma in patients with impaired
hepatic function or progressive liver disease. Therefore care should be taken in
patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (see section 4.2). Use of Olmetec
Plus in patients with severe hepatic impairment, cholestasis and biliary obstruction is
contraindicated (see sections 4.3, 5.2).
Aortic and mitral valve stenosis, obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:
As with other vasodilators, special caution is indicated in patients suffering from
aortic or mitral stenosis, or obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Primary aldosteronism:
Patients with primary aldosteronism generally will not respond to anti-hypertensive
medicinal products acting through inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system.
Therefore, the use of Olmetec Plus is not recommended in such patients.
Metabolic and endocrine effects:
Thiazide therapy may impair glucose tolerance. In diabetic patients dosage
adjustments of insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents may be required (see section
4.5). Latent diabetes mellitus may become manifest during thiazide therapy.
Increases in cholesterol and triglyceride levels are undesirable effects known to be
associated with thiazide diuretic therapy.
Hyperuricaemia may occur or frank gout may be precipitated in some patients
receiving thiazide therapy.
Electrolyte imbalance:
As for any patient receiving diuretic therapy, periodic determination of serum
electrolytes should be performed at appropriate intervals.
Thiazides, including hydrochlorothiazide, can cause fluid or electrolyte imbalance
(including hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia and hypochloraemic alkalosis). Warning
signs of fluid or electrolyte imbalance are dryness of the mouth, thirst, weakness,
lethargy, drowsiness, restlessness, muscle pain or cramps, muscular fatigue,
hypotension, oliguria, tachycardia, and gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea
or vomiting (see section 4.8).
The risk of hypokalaemia is greatest in patients with cirrhosis of the liver, in patients
experiencing brisk diuresis, in patients who are receiving inadequate oral intake of
electrolytes and in patients receiving concomitant therapy with corticosteroids or
ACTH (see section 4.5).
Conversely, due to antagonism at the angiotensin-II receptors (AT1) through the
olmesartan medoxomil component of Olmetec Plus hyperkalaemia may occur,
especially in the presence of renal impairment and/or heart failure, and diabetes
mellitus. Adequate monitoring of serum potassium in patients at risk is
recommended. Potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements or potassiumcontaining salt substitutes and other medicinal products that may increase serum
potassium levels (e.g. heparin) should be co-administered cautiously with Olmetec
Plus (see section 4.5).
There is no evidence that olmesartan medoxomil would reduce or prevent diureticinduced hyponatraemia. Chloride deficit is generally mild and usually does not
require treatment.
Thiazides may decrease urinary calcium excretion and cause an intermittent and
slight elevation of serum calcium in the absence of known disorders of calcium
metabolism. Hypercalcaemia may be evidence of hidden hyperparathyroidism.
Thiazides should be discontinued before carrying out tests for parathyroid function.
Thiazides have been shown to increase the urinary excretion of magnesium, which
may result in hypomagnesaemia.
Dilutional hyponatraemia may occur in oedematous patients in hot weather.
Lithium:
As with other medicinal products containing angiotensin II receptor antagonists and
thiazide in combination, the coadministration of Olmetec Plus and lithium is not
recommended (see section 4.5).
Ethnic differences:
As with all other angiotensin II antagonists, the blood pressure lowering effect of
olmesartan medoxomil is somewhat less in black patients than in non-black patients,
possibly because of a higher prevalence of low-renin status in the black hypertensive
population.
Sprue-like Enteropathy
Severe, chronic diarrhea with substantial weight loss has been reported in patients
taking olmesartan months to years after drug initiation. Intestinal biopsies of
patients often demonstrated villous atrophy. If a patient develops these symptoms
during treatment with olmesartan, exclude other etiologies. Consider
discontinuation of Olmetec in cases where no other etiology is identified
Anti-doping test:
Hydrochlorothiazide contained in this medicinal product could produce a positive
analytic result in an anti-doping test.
Pregnancy:
Angiotensin II antagonists should not be initiated during pregnancy. Unless
continued angiotensin II antagonists therapy is considered essential, patients
planning pregnancy should be changed to alternative anti-hypertensive treatments
which have an established safety profile for use in pregnancy. When pregnancy is
diagnosed, treatment with angiotensin II antagonists should be stopped
immediately, and, if appropriate, alternative therapy should be started (see sections
4.3 and 4.6)
Other:
In general arteriosclerosis, in patients with ischaemic heart disease or ischaemic
cerebrovascular disease, there is always a risk that excessive blood pressure
decrease could result in a myocardial infarction or stroke.
Hypersensitivity reactions to hydrochlorothiazide may occur in patients with or
without a history of allergy or bronchial asthma, but are more likely in patients with
such a history.
Exacerbation or activation of systemic lupus erythematosus has been reported with
the use of thiazide diuretics.
This medicinal product contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of
galactose intolerance, the Lapp-lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose
malabsorption should not take this medicinal product.
 

Potential interactions related to both olmesartan medoxomil and
hydrochlorothiazide:
Dual RAAS Blockade:
The combination of Olmesartan / Hydrochlorothiazide with Aliskiren, ACEIs or other
ARBs is contraindicated in patients with diabetes mellitus or renal impairment.
Dual blockade (e.g by adding ACE inhibitor to Olmesartan / Hydrochlorothiazide)
should not be used, especially in patients with Kidney problems.
Concomitant use not recommended
Lithium:
Reversible increases in serum lithium concentrations and toxicity have been
reported during concomitant administration of lithium with angiotensin converting
enzyme inhibitors and, rarely, with angiotensin II antagonists. In addition, renal
clearance of lithium is reduced by thiazides and consequently the risk of lithium
toxicity may be increased. Therefore use of Olmetec Plus and lithium in combination
is not recommended (see section 4.4). If use of the combination proves necessary,
careful monitoring of serum lithium levels is recommended.
Concomitant use requiring caution
Baclofen:
Potentiation of antihypertensive effect may occur.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicinal products:
NSAIDs (i.e. acetylsalicylic acid (> 3 g/day), COX-2 inhibitors and non-selective
NSAIDs) may reduce the antihypertensive effect of thiazide diuretics and angiotensin
II antagonists.
In some patients with compromised renal function (e.g. dehydrated patients or
elderly patients with compromised renal function) the co-administration of
angiotensin II antagonists and agents that inhibit cyclo-oxygenase may result in
further deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure, which is
usually reversible. Therefore, the combination should be administered with caution,
especially in the elderly. Patients should be adequately hydrated and consideration
should be given to monitoring of renal function after initiation of concomitant
therapy and periodically thereafter.
Concomitant use to be taken into account
Amifostine:
Potentiation of antihypertensive effect may occur.
Other antihypertensive agents:
The blood pressure lowering effect of Olmetec Plus can be increased by concomitant
use of other antihypertensive medicinal products.
Alcohol, barbiturates, narcotics or antidepressants:
Potentiation of orthostatic hypotension may occur.
Potential interactions related to olmesartan medoxomil:
Concomitant use not recommended
Medicinal products affecting potassium levels:
Based on experience with the use of other medicinal products that affect the reninangiotensin system, concomitant use of potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium
supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium or other medicinal products that
may increase serum potassium levels (e.g. heparin, ACE inhibitors) may lead to
increases in serum potassium (see section 4.4). If medicinal product which affect
potassium levels are to be prescribed in combination with Olmetec Plus, monitoring
of potassium plasma levels is advised.
Additional information
After treatment with antacid (aluminium magnesium hydroxide), a modest reduction
in bioavailability of olmesartan was observed.
Olmesartan medoxomil had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics or
pharmacodynamics of warfarin or the pharmacokinetics of digoxin.
Coadministration of olmesartan medoxomil with pravastatin had no clinically
relevant effects on the pharmacokinetics of either component in healthy subjects.
Olmesartan had no clinically relevant inhibitory effects on human cytochrome P450
enzymes 1A1/2, 2A6, 2C8/9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1 and 3A4 in vitro, and had no or minimal
inducing effects on rat cytochrome P450 activities. No clinically relevant interactions
between olmesartan and medicinal products metabolised by the above cytochrome
P450 enzymes are expected.
Potential interactions related to hydrochlorothiazide:
Concomitant use not recommended
Medicinal products affecting potassium levels:
The potassium-depleting effect of hydrochlorothiazide (see section 4.4) may be
potentiated by the coadministration of other medicinal products associated with
potassium loss and hypokalaemia (e.g. other kaliuretic diuretics, laxatives,
corticosteroids, ACTH, amphotericin, carbenoxolone, penicillin G sodium or salicylic
acid derivatives). Such concomitant use is therefore not recommended.
Concomitant use requiring caution
Calcium salts:
Thiazide diuretics may increase serum calcium levels due to decreased excretion. If
calcium supplements must be prescribed, serum calcium levels should be monitored
and calcium dosage adjusted accordingly.
Cholestyramine and colestipol resins:
Absorption of hydrochlorothiazide is impaired in the presence of anionic exchange
resins.
Digitalis glycosides:
Thiazide-induced hypokalaemia or hypomagnesaemia may favour the onset of
digitalis-induced cardiac arrhythmias.
Medicinal products affected by serum potassium disturbances:
Periodic monitoring of serum potassium and ECG is recommended when Olmetec
Plus is administered with medicinal products affected by serum potassium
disturbances (e.g. digitalis glycosides and antiarrhythmics) and with the following
torsades de pointes (ventricular tachycardia)-inducing medicinal products (including
some antiarrhythmics), hypokalaemia being a predisposing factor to torsades de
pointes (ventricular tachycardia):
- Class Ia antiarrythmics (e.g. quinidine, hydroquinidine, disopyramide).
- Class III antiarrythmics (e.g. amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide, ibutilide).
- Some antipsychotics (e.g. thioridazine, chlorpromazine, levomepromazine,
trifluoperazine, cyamemazine, sulpiride, sultopride, amisulpride, tiapride, pimozide,
haloperidol, droperidol).
- Others (e.g. bepridil, cisapride, diphemanil, erythromycin IV, halofantrin,
mizolastin, pentamidine, sparfloxacin, terfenadine, vincamine IV).
Non-depolarizing skeletal muscle relaxants (e.g. tubocurarine):
The effect of nondepolarizing skeletal muscle relaxants may be potentiated by
hydrochlorothiazide.
Anticholinergic agents (e.g. atropine, biperiden):
Increase of the bioavailability of thiazide-type diuretics by decreasing
gastrointestinal motility and stomach emptying rate.
Antidiabetic medicinal products (oral agents and insulin):
The treatment with a thiazide may influence the glucose tolerance. Dosage
adjustment of the antidiabetic medicinal product may be required (see section 4.4).
Metformin:
Metformin should be used with caution because of the risk of lactic acidosis induced
by possible functional renal failure linked to hydrochlorothiazide.
Beta-blockers and diazoxide:
The hyperglycaemic effect of beta-blockers and diazoxide may be enhanced by
thiazides.
Pressor amines (e.g. noradrenaline):
The effect of pressor amines may be decreased.
Medicinal products used in the treatment of gout (probenecid, sulfinpyrazone and
allopurinol):
Dosage adjustment of uricosuric medicinal products may be necessary since
hydrochlorothiazide may raise the level of serum uric acid. Increase in dosage of
probenecid or sulfinpyrazone may be necessary. Coadministration of a thiazide may
increase the incidence of hypersensitivity reactions to allopurinol.
Amantadine:
Thiazides may increase the risk of adverse effects caused by amantadine.
Cytotoxic agents (e.g. cyclophosphamide, methotrexate):
Thiazides may reduce the renal excretion of cytotoxic medicinal products and
potentiate their myelosuppressive effects.
Salicylates:
In case of high dosages of salicylates hydrochlorothiazide may enhance the toxic
effect of the salicylates on the central nervous system.
Methyldopa:
There have been isolated reports of haemolytic anaemia occurring with concomitant
use of hydrochlorothiazide and methyldopa.
Cyclosporine:
Concomitant treatment with cyclosporine may increase the risk of hyperuricaemia
and gout-type complications.
Tetracyclines:
Concomitant administration of tetracyclines and thiazides increases the risk of
tetracycline-induced increase in urea. This interaction is probably not applicable to
doxycycline.
 

Pregnancy (Category D) (see section 4.3):
Given the effects of the individual components in this combination product on
pregnancy, the use of Olmetec Plus is not recommended during the first trimester of
pregnancy (see section 4.4). The use of Olmetec Plus is contra-indicated during the
2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy (see sections 4.3 and 4.4).
Olmesartan medoxomil:
The use of angiotensin II antagonists is not recommended during the first trimester
of pregnancy (see section 4.4). The use of angiotensin II antagonists is contraindicated during the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy (see sections 4.3 and 4.4).
Epidemiological evidence regarding the risk of teratogenicity following exposure to
ACE inhibitors during the first trimester of pregnancy has not been conclusive;
however a small increase in risk cannot be excluded. Whilst there is no controlled
epidemiological data on the risk with angiotensin II antagonists, similar risks may
exist for this class of drugs. Unless continued angiotensin receptor blocker therapy is
considered essential, patients planning pregnancy should be changed to alternative
anti-hypertensive treatments which have an established safety profile for use in
pregnancy. When pregnancy is diagnosed, treatment with angiotensin II antagonists
should be stopped immediately, and, if appropriate, alternative therapy should be
started.
Angiotensin II antagonists therapy exposure during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters is
known to induce human fetotoxicity (decreased renal function, oligohydramnios,
skull ossification retardation) and neonatal toxicity (renal failure, hypotension,
hyperkalaemia). (See also 5.3 “Preclinical safety data”.)
Should exposure to angiotensin II antagonists have occurred from the 2nd trimester
of pregnancy, ultrasound check of renal function and skull is recommended.
Infants whose mothers have taken angiotensin II antagonists should be closely
observed for hypotension (see also sections 4.3 and 4.4).
Hydrochlorothiazide:
There is limited experience with hydrochlorothiazide during pregnancy, especially
during the first trimester. Animal studies are insufficient.
Hydrochlorothiazide crosses the placenta. Based on the pharmacological mechanism
of action of hydrochlorothiazide its use during the 2nd and 3rd trimester may
compromise foeto-placental perfusion and may cause foetal and neonatal effects
like icterus, disturbance of electrolyte balance and thrombocytopenia.
Hydrochlorothiazide should not be used for gestational oedema, gestational
hypertension or preeclampsia due to the risk of decreased plasma volume and
placental hypoperfusion, without a beneficial effect on the course of the disease.
Hydrochlorothiazide should not be used for essential hypertension in pregnant
women except in rare situations where no other treatment could be used.
Lactation:
Olmesartan medoxomil:
Because no information is available regarding the use of Olmetec Plus during
breastfeeding, Olmetec Plus is not recommended and alternative treatments with
better established safety profiles during breast-feeding are preferable, especially
while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Hydrochlorothiazide is excreted in human milk in small amounts. Thiazides in high
doses causing intense diuresis can inhibit the milk production.
The use of Olmetec Plus during breast feeding is not recommended. If Olmetec Plus
is used during breast feeding, doses should be kept as low as possible.
 

Olmetec Plus can have minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use
machines. Dizziness or fatigue may occasionally occur in patients taking
antihypertensive therapy, which may impair the ability to react.
 

a. Summary of the safety profile:
The most commonly reported adverse reactions during treatment with Olmetec Plus
are headache (2.9%), dizziness (1.9%) and fatigue (1.0%).
Hydrochlorothiazide may cause or exacerbate volume depletion which may lead to
electrolyte imbalance (see section 4.4).
In clinical trials involving 1155 patients treated with olmesartan
medoxomil/hydrochlorothiazide combinations at dosages of 20/12.5 mg or 20/25
mg and 466 patients treated with placebo for periods of up to 21 months, the overall
frequency of adverse reactions on olmesartan medoxomil/hydrochlorothiazide
combination therapy was similar to that on placebo. Discontinuations due to adverse
reactions were also similar for olmesartan medoxomil/hydrochlorothiazide 20/12.5
mg - 20/25 mg (2%) and placebo (3%). The frequency of adverse reactions on
olmesartan medoxomil/hydrochlorothiazide overall relative to placebo appeared to
be unrelated to age (< 65 years versus 65 years), gender or race although the
frequency of dizziness was somewhat increased in patients aged > 75 years.
In addition, the safety of Olmetec Plus as a high dose combination was investigated
in clinical trials in 3709 patients receiving olmesartan medoxomil in combination
with hydrochlorothiazide in the dose strengths 40 mg/12.5 mg and 40 mg/25 mg.
Adverse reactions from Olmetec Plus in clinical trials, post-authorisation safety
studies and spontaneous reporting are summarised in the below table as well as
adverse reactions from the individual components olmesartan medoxomil and
hydrochlorothiazide based on the known safety profile of these substances.

c. Description of selected adverse reaction:
Single cases of rhabdomyolysis have been reported in temporal association with the
intake of angiotensin II receptor blockers.
Post Marketing Experience
Data from one controlled trial and an epidemiologic study have suggested that highdose olmesartan may increase cardiovascular (CV) risk in diabetic patients, but the
overall data are not conclusive. The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind
ROADMAP trial (Randomized Olmesartan And Diabetes MicroAlbuminuria
Prevention trial, n=4447) examined the use of olmesartan, 40 mg daily, vs. placebo in
patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, normoalbuminuria, and at least one
additional risk factor for CV disease. The trial met its primary endpoint, decrease in
time-to-onset of microalbuminuria, but olmesartan had no beneficial effect on
decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). There was a finding of increased CV
mortality (adjudicated sudden cardiac death, fatal myocardial infarction, fatal stroke,
revascularization death) in the olmesartan group compared to the placebo group (15
olmesartan vs. 3 placebo, HR 4.9, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4, 17), but the risk
of non-fatal myocardial infarction was lower with olmesartan (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.35,
1.18).
The epidemiologic study included patients 65 years and older with overall exposure
of >300,000 patient-years. In the sub-group of diabetic patients receiving high-dose
olmesartan (40 mg/d) for > 6 months, there appeared to be an increased risk of
death (HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1, 3.8) compared to similar patients taking other angiotensin
receptor blockers. In contrast, high-dose olmesartan use in non-diabetic patients
appeared to be associated with a decreased risk of death (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.24,
0.86) compared to similar patients taking other angiotensin receptor blockers. No
differences were observed between the groups receiving lower doses of olmesartan
compared to other angiotensin blockers or those receiving therapy for < 6 months.
Overall, these data raise a concern of a possible increased CV risk associated with the
use of high-dose olmesartan in diabetic patients. There are, however, concerns with
the credibility of the finding of increased CV risk, notably the observation in the large
epidemiologic study for a survival benefit in non-diabetics of a magnitude similar to
the adverse finding in diabetics.
d. Other special population:
Renal impairment and kidney transplantation:
Olmetec Plus should not be used in patients with severe renal impairment
(creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min) (see section 4.3). No dosage adjustment is
necessary in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance
is 30 ml/min, < 60 mL/min). However, in such patients Olmetec Plus should be
administered with caution and periodic monitoring of serum potassium, creatinine
and uric acid levels is recommended. Thiazide diuretic-associated azotaemia may
occur in patients with impaired renal function. If progressive renal impairment
becomes evident, careful reappraisal of therapy is necessary, with consideration
given to discontinuing diuretic therapy. There is no experience of the administration
of Olmetec Plus in patients with a recent kidney transplantation.
Hepatic impairment:
There is currently no experience of olmesartan medoxomil in patients with severe
hepatic impairment. Furthermore, minor alterations of fluid and electrolyte balance
during thiazide therapy may precipitate hepatic coma in patients with impaired
hepatic function or progressive liver disease. Therefore care should be taken in
patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (see section 4.2). Use of Olmetec
Plus in patients with severe hepatic impairment, cholestasis and biliary obstruction is
contraindicated (see sections 4.3, 5.2).
Elderly (age 65 years or older)
In elderly patients the same dosage of the combination is recommended as for
adults.
Blood pressure should be closely monitored.
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of Olmetec Plus in children and adolescents below 18 years
has not been established. No data are available.
Pregnancy:
Angiotensin II antagonists should not be initiated during pregnancy. Unless
continued angiotensin II antagonists therapy is considered essential, patients
planning pregnancy should be changed to alternative anti-hypertensive treatments
which have an established safety profile for use in pregnancy. When pregnancy is
diagnosed, treatment with angiotensin II antagonists should be stopped
immediately, and, if appropriate, alternative therapy should be started (see sections
4.3 and 4.6)

No specific information is available on the effects or treatment of Olmetec Plus
overdose. The patient should be closely monitored, and the treatment should be
symptomatic and supportive. Management depends upon the time since ingestion
and the severity of the symptoms. Suggested measures include induction of emesis
and/or gastric lavage. Activated charcoal may be useful in the treatment of
overdose. Serum electrolytes and creatinine should be monitored frequently. If
hypotension occurs, the patient should be placed in a supine position, with salt and
volume replacements given quickly.
The most likely manifestations of olmesartan medoxomil overdose are expected to
be hypotension and tachycardia; bradycardia might also occur. Overdose with
hydrochlorothiazide is associated with electrolyte depletion (hypokalaemia,
hypochloraemia) and dehydration resulting from excessive diuresis. The most
common signs and symptoms of overdose are nausea and somnolence.
Hypokalaemia may result in muscle spasm and/or accentuate cardiac arrhythmias
associated with the concomitant use of digitalis glycosides or certain anti-arrhythmic
medicinal products.
No information is available regarding the dialysability of olmesartan or
hydrochlorothiazide.
 

Pharmaco-therapeutic group: Angiotensin II antagonists and diuretics, ATC code:
C09D A 08.
Mechanism of action / Pharmacodynamic effects
Olmetec Plus is a combination of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, olmesartan
medoxomil, and a thiazide diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide. The combination of these
ingredients has an additive antihypertensive effect, reducing blood pressure to a
greater degree than either component alone.
Once daily dosing with Olmetec Plus provides an effective and smooth reduction in
blood pressure over the 24 hour dose interval.
Olmesartan medoxomil is a orally active, selective angiotensin II receptor (type AT1)
antagonist. Angiotensin II is the primary vasoactive hormone of the reninangiotensin-aldosterone system and plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of
hypertension. The effects of angiotensin II include vasoconstriction, stimulation of
the synthesis and release of aldosterone, cardiac stimulation and renal reabsorption
of sodium. Olmesartan blocks the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects
of angiotensin II by blocking its binding to the AT1 receptor in tissues including
vascular smooth muscle and the adrenal gland. The action of olmesartan is
independent of the source or route of synthesis of angiotensin II. The selective
antagonism of the angiotensin II (AT1) receptors by olmesartan results in increases in
plasma renin levels and angiotensin I and II concentrations, and some decrease in
plasma aldosterone concentrations.
In hypertension, olmesartan medoxomil causes a dose-dependent, long-lasting
reduction in arterial blood pressure. There has been no evidence of first-dose
hypotension, of tachyphylaxis during long-term treatment, or of rebound
hypertension after abrupt cessation of therapy.
Once daily dosing with olmesartan medoxomil provides an effective and smooth
reduction in blood pressure over the 24 hour dose interval. Once daily dosing
produced similar decreases in blood pressure as twice daily dosing at the same total
daily dose.
With continuous treatment, maximum reductions in blood pressure are achieved by
8 weeks after the initiation of therapy, although a substantial proportion of the
blood pressure lowering effect is already observed after 2 weeks of treatment.
The effect of olmesartan medoxomil on mortality and morbidity is not yet known.
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic. The mechanism of the antihypertensive
effect of thiazide diuretics is not fully known. Thiazides affect the renal tubular
mechanisms of electrolyte reabsorption, directly increasing excretion of sodium and
chloride in approximately equivalent amounts. The diuretic action of
hydrochlorothiazide reduces plasma volume, increases plasma renin activity and
increases aldosterone secretion, with consequent increases in urinary potassium and
bicarbonate loss, and decreases in serum potassium. The renin-aldosterone link is
mediated by angiotensin II and therefore coadministration of an angiotensin II
receptor antagonist tends to reverse the potassium loss associated with thiazide
diuretics. With hydrochlorothiazide, onset of diuresis occurs at about 2 hours and
peak effect occurs at about 4 hours post-dose, whilst the action persists for
approximately 6-12 hours.
Epidemiological studies have shown that long-term treatment with
hydrochlorothiazide monotherapy reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality and
morbidity.
Clinical efficacy and safety
The combination of olmesartan medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide produces
additive reductions in blood pressure which generally increase with the dose of each
component. In pooled placebo-controlled studies, administration of the 20 /12.5 mg
and 20 /25 mg combinations of olmesartan medoxomil/hydrochlorothiazide resulted
in mean placebo-subtracted systolic/diastolic blood pressure reductions at trough of
12/7 mmHg and 16/9 mmHg, respectively. Age and gender had no clinically relevant
effect on response to treatment with olmesartan medoxomil/hydrochlorothiazide
combination therapy.
Administration of 12.5 mg and 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide in patients insufficiently
controlled by olmesartan medoxomil 20 mg monotherapy gave additional reductions
in 24-hour systolic/diastolic blood pressures measured by ambulatory blood
pressure monitoring of 7/5 mmHg and 12/7 mmHg, respectively, compared with
olmesartan medoxomil monotherapy baseline. The additional mean systolic/diastolic
blood pressure reductions at trough compared with baseline, measured
conventionally, were 11/10 mmHg and 16/11 mmHg, respectively.
The effectiveness of olmesartan medoxomil/hydrochlorothiazide combination
therapy was maintained over long-term (one-year) treatment. Withdrawal of
olmesartan medoxomil therapy, with or without concomitant hydrochlorothiazide
therapy, did not result in rebound hypertension.
The effects of fixed dose combination of olmesartan medoxomil/hydrochlorothiazide
on mortality and cardiovascular morbidity are currently unknown.
 

Absorption and distribution
Olmesartan medoxomil:
Olmesartan medoxomil is a prodrug. It is rapidly converted to the pharmacologically
active metabolite, olmesartan, by esterases in the gut mucosa and in portal blood
during absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. No intact olmesartan medoxomil
or intact side chain medoxomil moiety have been detected in plasma or excreta. The
mean absolute bioavailability of olmesartan from a tablet formulation was 25.6%.
The mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of olmesartan is reached within about 2
hours after oral dosing with olmesartan medoxomil, and olmesartan plasma
concentrations increase approximately linearly with increasing single oral doses up
to about 80 mg.
Food had minimal effect on the bioavailability of olmesartan and therefore
olmesartan medoxomil may be administered with or without food.
No clinically relevant gender-related differences in the pharmacokinetics of
olmesartan have been observed.
Olmesartan is highly bound to plasma protein (99.7%), but the potential for clinically
significant protein binding displacement interactions between olmesartan and other
highly bound coadministered active substances is low (as confirmed by the lack of a
clinically significant interaction between olmesartan medoxomil and warfarin). The
binding of olmesartan to blood cells is negligible. The mean volume of distribution
after intravenous dosing is low (16 – 29 L).
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Following oral administration of olmesartan medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide in
combination, the median time to peak concentrations of hydrochlorothiazide was
1.5 to 2 hours after dosing. Hydrochlorothiazide is 68 % protein bound in the plasma
and its apparent volume of distribution is 0.83 – 1.14 L/kg.
Metabolism and elimination
Olmesartan medoxomil:
Total plasma clearance of olmesartan was typically 1.3 L/h (CV, 19%) and was
relatively slow compared to hepatic blood flow (ca 90 L/h). Following a single oral
dose of 14C-labelled olmesartan medoxomil, 10 - 16% of the administered
radioactivity was excreted in the urine (the vast majority within 24 hours of dose
administration) and the remainder of the recovered radioactivity was excreted in the
faeces. Based on the systemic availability of 25.6%, it can be calculated that
absorbed olmesartan is cleared by both renal excretion (ca 40%) and hepato-biliary
excretion (ca 60%). All recovered radioactivity was identified as olmesartan. No
other significant metabolite was detected. Enterohepatic recycling of olmesartan is
minimal. Since a large proportion of olmesartan is excreted via the biliary route, use
in patients with biliary obstruction is contraindicated (see section 4.3).
The terminal elimination half life of olmesartan varied between 10 and 15 hours
after multiple oral dosing. Steady state was reached after the first few doses and no
further accumulation was evident after 14 days of repeated dosing. Renal clearance
was approximately 0.5 – 0.7 L/h and was independent of dose.
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Hydrochlorothiazide is not metabolised in man and is excreted almost entirely as
unchanged active substance in urine. About 60% of the oral dose is eliminated as
unchanged active substance within 48 hours. Renal clearance is about 250 – 300
mL/min. The terminal elimination half-life of hydrochlorothiazide is 10 – 15 hours.
Olmetec Plus
The systemic availability of hydrochlorothiazide is reduced by about 20% when coadministered with olmesartan medoxomil, but this modest decrease is not of any
clinical relevance. The kinetics of olmesartan are unaffected by the co-administration
of hydrochlorothiazide.
Pharmacokinetics in special populations
Elderly (age 65 years or over):
In hypertensive patients, the olmesartan AUC at steady state was increased by ca
35% in elderly patients (65 – 75 years old) and by ca 44% in very elderly patients (
75 years old) compared with the younger age group (see section 4.2).
Limited data suggest that the systemic clearance of hydrochlorothiazide is reduced in
both healthy and hypertensive elderly patients compared to young healthy
volunteers.
Renal impairment:
In renally impaired patients, the olmesartan AUC at steady state increased by 62%,
82% and 179% in patients with mild, moderate and severe renal impairment,
respectively, compared to healthy controls (see sections 4.2, 4.4).
The half-life of hydrochlorothiazide is prolonged in patients with impaired renal
function.
Hepatic impairment:
After single oral administration, olmesartan AUC values were 6% and 65% higher in
mildly and moderately hepatically impaired patients, respectively, than in their
corresponding matched healthy controls. The unbound fraction of olmesartan at 2
hours post-dose in healthy subjects, in patients with mild hepatic impairment and in
patients with moderate hepatic impairment was 0.26%, 0.34% and 0.41%,
respectively. Following repeated dosing in patients with moderate hepatic
impairment, olmesartan mean AUC was again about 65% higher than in matched
healthy controls. Olmesartan mean Cmax values were similar in hepatically-impaired
and healthy subjects. Olmesartan medoxomil has not been evaluated in patients
with severe hepatic impairment (see sections 4.2, 4.4).
Hepatic impairment does not significantly influence the pharmacokinetics of
hydrochlorothiazide.
 

The toxic potential of olmesartan medoxomil/hydrochlorothiazide combinations was
evaluated in repeated dose oral toxicity studies for up to six months in rats and dogs.
As for each of the individual substances and other medicinal products in this class,
the main toxicological target organ of the combination was the kidney. The
combination of olmesartan medoxomil/hydrochlorothiazide induced functional renal
changes (increases in serum urea nitrogen and in serum creatinine). High dosages
caused tubular degeneration and regeneration in the kidneys of rats and dogs,
probably via a change in renal haemodynamics (reduced renal perfusion resulting
from hypotension with tubular hypoxia and tubular cell degeneration). In addition,
the olmesartan medoxomil/ hydrochlorothiazide combination caused a decrease in
red blood cell parameters (erythrocytes, haemoglobin and haematocrit) and a
reduction in heart weight in rats.
These effects have also been observed for other AT1 receptor antagonists and for
ACE inhibitors and they seem to have been induced by the pharmacological action of
high dosages of olmesartan medoxomil and seem to be not relevant to humans at
the recommended therapeutic doses.
Genotoxicity studies using combined olmesartan medoxomil and
hydrochlorothiazide as well as the individual components have not shown any signs
of a clinically relevant genotoxic activity.
The carcinogenic potential of a combination of olmesartan medoxomil and
hydrochlorothiazide was not investigated as there was no evidence of relevant
carcinogenic effects for the two individual components under conditions of clinical
use.
There was no evidence of teratogenicity in mice or rats treated with olmesartan
medoxomil/hydrochlorothiazide combinations. As expected from this class of
medicinal product, fetal toxicity was observed in rats, as evidenced by significantly
reduced fetal body weights, when treated with olmesartan
medoxomil/hydrochlorothiazide combinations during gestation (see sections 4.3,
4.6).
 

Hydroxypropylcellulose, magnesium stearate, lactose, low substituted
hydroxypropylecellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, opadry yellow 02A22352 for
Olemtec Plus 20/12.5 & 40/12.5 or opadry pink 02A24576 for Olmetec plus 40/25
 

Not applicable.
 

Store below 30°C.
 

Forming Aluminum / aluminum blister.
Packs of 28 film-coated tablets.
 

No special requirements.