Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• back or leg pain
• Diarrhea
• difficulty sleeping
• dizziness
• headache
• tiredness
• upper respiratory tract infection (such as colds or sinus infections)
• vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• chronic diarrhea with weight loss
• fainting or severe dizziness (Low Blood Pressure)
• flu-like illness (e.g., runny nose, sore throat, cough)
• increased occurrence of infections (e.g., flu-like illness, Bronchitis, Fever, chills)
• rash
• signs of bleeding (e.g., bloody nose, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don't stop bleeding)
• signs of heart problems (e.g., difficulty breathing when lying down, swelling feet or ankles, tiring easily)
• signs of kidney problems (e.g., decreased urination, nausea, vomiting, swelling of the feet and ankles)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
• signs of too much potassium in the body (e.g., irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, generally feeling unwell)
• unexplained muscle pain

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction (swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; Hives; difficulty breathing)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil).

5 mg
Each white, round, biconvex film-coated tablet, with inscription ‘5’ on one side, contains 5 mg of olmesartan. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal anhydrous silica, hydroxypropylcellulose, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, macrogols 400, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, talc and titanium dioxide.
20 mg
Each white, round, biconvex film-coated tablet, with inscription ‘20’ on one side, contains 20 mg of olmesartan. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal anhydrous silica, hydroxypropylcellulose, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, macrogols 400, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, talc and titanium dioxide.
40 mg
Each white, oval, biconvex film-coated tablet, with inscription ‘40’ on one side, contains 40 mg of olmesartan. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal anhydrous silica, hydroxypropylcellulose, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, macrogols 400, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, talc and titanium dioxide.

Do not use olmesartan if you:

• are allergic to olmesartan or any ingredients of the medication
• have Diabetes or Kidney Disease and are taking Aliskiren
• are pregnant or may become pregnant

There may be an interaction between olmesartan and any of the following:

• Aldesleukin
• aliskiren
• alpha blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin)
• alpha agonists (e.g., Clonidine, methyldopa)
• amifostine
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, Lisdexamfetamine)
• angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; e.g., Captopril, Lisinopril, Ramipril)
• other angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs; e.g., candasartan, Irbesartan, Losartan)
• anti-psychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, Phenobarbital)
• beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Propranolol, Sotalol)
• brimonidine
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Canagliflozin
• ciprofloxacin
• conivaptan
• Cyclosporine
• Dipyridamole
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Indapamide)
• Duloxetine
• Eltrombopag
• epelernone
• ephedra
• Gemfibrozil
• ginger
• ginseng (American)
• Guanfacine
• Heparin and low-molecular weight heparins (e.g., Dalteparin, Tinzaparin)
• Hydralazine
• levodopa
• licorice
• lithium
• Methylphenidate
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• medications that increase the level of potassium in the blood (e.g., Spironolactone, Amiloride, triamterene, or salt substitutes that contain potassium)
• Minoxidil
• nitrates (e.g., isosorbide dinitrate,  isosorbide mononitrate, nitroglycerine)
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
• Obinutuzumab
• Pentoxifylline
• phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil)
• potassium supplements
• quinine
• Rituximab
• Ropinirole
• sodium phosphates
• Teriflunomide
• Tolvaptan
• Trimethoprim
• Yohimbine

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil).

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Blood pressure medications may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know whether the medication affects you in this way.

Kidney disease: Olmesartan may affect the function of the kidneys, causing decreased kidney function, kidney failure, or possibly death. Certain people have experienced changes in kidney function (e.g., people with narrowed blood vessels in their kidneys, or those with severe Congestive Heart Failure). The use of diuretics (water pills), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or aliskiren may further increase risk of kidney problems for people already at risk for this problem. If you have kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver disease: Liver disease may cause olmesartan to be cleared more slowly from the body, resulting in increased side effects. If you have liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Low blood pressure: Occasionally, a greater-than-expected drop in blood pressure occurs after taking Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil). It is more likely to occur if you are taking additional diuretics (water pills), or aliskiren, have reduced salt intake, are on dialysis, have diarrhea, or are vomiting.

Your doctor may recommend that you have your blood pressure tested more often in these situations. To reduce the risk of dizziness, people with low blood pressure or those just starting to take Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil) should stand or sit up slowly when getting up from a lying down or sitting position. If low blood pressure causes you to faint or feel lightheaded, contact your doctor.

Pregnancy: Babies born to mothers who took olmesartan during pregnancy may develop birth defects. If you become pregnant while taking Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil), stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if olmesartan passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil), it may affect your baby. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil).

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Sandoz Olmesartan (Olmesartan-medoxomil) have not been established for children less than 6 years of age.