Le medicament du mois: Olmesartan medoxomil (Belsar ou Olmetec)

Olmesartan medoxomil (Belsar, Olmetec) developed by Sankyo Pharma and proposed by Sankyo Pharma but also Menarini is a new angiotensin II ATI receptor blocker. Its indication is the treatment of hypertension. Olmesartan is indeed an antihypertensive agent with an efficacy dependent on the dose from 10 to 40 mg. It is taken once a day, because of a long duration of action. This prodrug has a dual elimination pathway (biliary and renal). The contraindications are the same as for the other sartans. One of its main advantage, besides its rapidly observed efficacy to lower high blood pressure, is its relatively low cost within this family. It has also cardiovascular and renal protective effects. The recommended usual dosage is 20 mg/day.