Azilsartan Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Azilsartan Tablet (generic name: azilsartan medoxomil) is a prescription medicine belonging to the angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) drug class. It is used alone or with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults. It works by relaxing blood vessels to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow.

What is Azilsartan Tablet

Azilsartan is a prescription medicine used alone or with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults.

Azilsartan Tablet uses

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Used alone or combined with other blood pressure medicines

Benefits of Azilsartan Tablet

• Lowers blood pressure, which may lower the risk of stroke or heart attack
• Helps protect the heart, brain, and kidneys from damage caused by long-term high blood pressure

How Azilsartan Tablet works

Azilsartan blocks a natural body substance that causes blood vessels to tighten. This lets the blood vessels relax and widen, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Azilsartan Tablet dosage

This medicine may be taken with or without food. Take it at the same time each day to keep a steady level of medicine in your body and to help you remember. Keep taking it as directed even if you feel well, since high blood pressure often has no symptoms. Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor, as this may cause your blood pressure to rise again. It may take about two weeks before your blood pressure is under control.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it's almost time for your next dose — do not take two doses at once. This medicine is not approved for use in children or anyone younger than 18 years old. Treatment may also include diet changes, exercise, weight control, and reducing salt intake.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Azilsartan Tablet

Common

• Diarrhea
• Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up quickly
• Nausea or fatigue
• Headache
• Cough
• Sweating
• Muscle spasm
• Lack or loss of strength

Serious

• Signs of low blood pressure: severe dizziness, fainting, or blurred vision
• Signs of high potassium levels: muscle weakness, slow or irregular heartbeat, or severe nausea
• Kidney problems: little to no urine output, or swelling in hands, ankles, or feet
• Severe allergic reaction: rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Confusion

Warnings and precautions

• Azilsartan can cause serious injury or death to an unborn baby. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, stop taking it and contact your doctor right away.
• It is not known whether azilsartan passes into breast milk, and you should not breastfeed while taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, since this medicine should be used with caution and can make kidney problems worse.
• Tell your doctor before taking this medicine if you have liver problems.
• Drinking alcohol is not recommended while taking this medicine, as it can further lower blood pressure and increase side effects like dizziness and changes in heart rate.
• This medicine can cause dizziness, so know how you react to it before driving, using machines, or doing anything that could be dangerous if you feel dizzy or unalert.
• If you have diabetes, do not take azilsartan with any medicine containing aliskiren.
• Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes with potassium unless your doctor has told you to.
• Getting sick with vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating a lot can cause dangerous dehydration and low blood pressure while on this medicine.
• Avoid standing up too quickly from sitting or lying down, since this can cause dizziness.
• Do not take other medicines, including over-the-counter products for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, without checking with your doctor, since they may raise blood pressure.

Storage

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
• Protect the medicine from light and moisture. Keep your medicine in the original container until you are ready to use it.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you have little or no urination, or if you feel light-headed like you might pass out.
• If you faint, call your doctor right away.
• Check with your doctor right away if you become sick with severe or continuing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, as these can cause excessive water loss and low blood pressure.

Alternatives

• Telmisartan
• Olmesartan
• Candesartan
• Losartan