Olmesartan medoxomil: a clinical review.

Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers has been shown to be effective in treating hypertension and heart failure. There are currently seven angiotensin II receptor blockers in clinical practice, olmesartan medoxomil being the newest agent in the class. This article reviews the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, efficacy, clinical use, dosing and cost of olmesartan medoxomil. The information given here is based on published data from human studies regarding the efficacy and safety of this drug, as well as studies comparing it with other drugs. The use of olmesartan medoxomil (10-40 mg) has consistently helped achieve a double-digit reduction both in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, a reduction which is maintained for one year. The data on its use for heart failure and atherosclerosis are limited and mostly experimental. It is an effective and well-tolerated agent, with a long duration of action, and single daily dose may be used to treat hypertension.

ACE inhibitors and beta blockers in chronic congestive cardiac failure: therapeutic basis.

Congestive cardiac failure (CCF) is a common problem through out the globe and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The rapid progression of the disease due to neurohormonal activation can be blunted by use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and beta blockers (BB) with a major impact on morbidity and mortality. Besides CCF, they are also useful in asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) and in prevention of heart failure in high risk patients without LVD. Both ACEI and BB are highly underutilised therapy in CCF and there is an urgent necessity to spread message among the medical fraternity for their enhanced use.