Clinical efficacy of olmesartan medoxomil.

Olmesartan medoxomil is a new angiotensin-II receptor antagonist for the treatment of hypertension. Olmesartan medoxomil is a pro-drug that is de-esterified to the active metabolite, olmesartan. Olmesartan has a dual method of elimination, with about 60% eliminated by the liver and the remainder by the kidney. In situations of impaired renal or hepatic function, the alternative excretion pathway can compensate for the compromised one. Olmesartan is not metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system and therefore has a low potential for metabolic drug interactions, a feature that may be of importance when treating patients on multiple drug regimens, such as the elderly. Olmesartan is well tolerated and has an excellent safety profile that is comparable to that of placebo. In addition, olmesartan provides 24-h blood pressure control with a once-daily dosing. In head-to-head studies, olmesartan delivered superior blood pressure reduction when compared with other angiotensin-II receptor antagonists at their recommended doses.