Azilsartan

What it is used for

Azilsartan medoxomil is a prescription medicine called an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults.

Your doctor may prescribe other medicines for you to take along with azilsartan medoxomil to treat your high blood pressure.

It is not known if azilsartan medoxomil is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

Blood pressure is the force in your blood vessels when your heart beats and when your heart rests. You have high blood pressure when the force is too great.

High blood pressure makes the heart work harder to pump blood through the body and causes damage to the blood vessels. Azilsartan medoxomil tablets can help your blood vessels relax so your blood pressure is lower. Medicines that lower your blood pressure may lower your chance of having a stroke or heart attack.

The most important thing to know

• Azilsartan medoxomil can cause harm or death to your unborn baby.
• Talk to your doctor about other ways to lower your blood pressure if you plan to become pregnant.
• If you become pregnant while taking azilsartan medoxomil, tell your doctor right away. Your doctor may switch you to a different medicine to treat your high blood pressure.

How to take it

• Your doctor will tell you how much azilsartan medoxomil to take and when to take it. Follow his/her instructions.
• Azilsartan medoxomil can be taken with or without food.
• If you take too much azilsartan medoxomil, call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Side effects, and when to stop

Azilsartan medoxomil may cause side effects, including:

• Harm or death to your unborn fetus if taken in the second or third trimester.
• Low blood pressure (hypotension) and dizziness is most likely to happen if you also:
  • take water pills (diuretics)
  • are on a low-salt diet
  • take other medicines that affect your blood pressure
  • get sick with vomiting or diarrhea
  • do not drink enough fluids

If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down and call your doctor right away.

These are not all the possible side effects with azilsartan medoxomil. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What to say before you start

Before you take azilsartan medoxomil, tell your doctor if you:

• have been told that you have abnormal body salt (electrolytes) levels in your blood
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if azilsartan medoxomil passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take azilsartan medoxomil or breastfeed. You should not do both. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take azilsartan medoxomil.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• other medicines used to treat your high blood pressure or heart problem
• water pills (diuretic)

Ask your doctor if you are not sure if you are taking a medicine listed above.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Storing it

• Store azilsartan medoxomil at 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
• Store azilsartan medoxomil in the original container that you received from your pharmacist or doctor. Do not put azilsartan medoxomil into a different container.
• Keep azilsartan medoxomil in a tightly closed container, and keep azilsartan medoxomil out of the light.

Keep azilsartan medoxomil and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about azilsartan medoxomil.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not give azilsartan medoxomil to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.

This Patient Information leaflet summarizes the most important information about azilsartan medoxomil. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about azilsartan medoxomil that is written for health professionals.

For more information, call 1-877-495-6856.