Brand Name of Amlodipine and Olmesartan Combination
The brand name of the amlodipine and olmesartan combination medication is Azor.
Background on Combination Therapy
Combination therapy is increasingly recommended for hypertension management, particularly for patients with stage 2 hypertension (blood pressure ≥160/100 mmHg). The 2007 European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines support using combination therapy as an initial approach rather than monotherapy alone, especially when rapid blood pressure control is needed in high-risk patients 1.
Benefits of Amlodipine/Olmesartan Combination
The amlodipine/olmesartan combination offers several advantages:
- Complementary mechanisms of action: Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB), while olmesartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) 2
- Greater efficacy: The combination demonstrates superior blood pressure reduction compared to either component as monotherapy 2
- Rapid onset of action: About 85% of maximal blood pressure reductions are observed after just two weeks of treatment 2
- Reduced side effects: The combination reduces the incidence of peripheral edema (a common side effect of amlodipine monotherapy) 2
Clinical Evidence
In the Combination of Olmesartan medoxomil and Amlodipine besylate in Controlling High blood pressure (COACH) trial, the high-dose combination of olmesartan/amlodipine 40/10 mg/day reduced sitting systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 29/19 mmHg from baseline (p<0.001) and resulted in 54% of patients achieving blood pressure goals 3. This combination also decreased amlodipine-induced pedal edema by 36.1% compared to amlodipine monotherapy 3.
Dosing Information
The olmesartan/amlodipine combination is available in various dosage strengths to allow for individualized treatment:
- Starting doses typically reflect the individual components: olmesartan 20 mg and amlodipine 5 mg
- Maximum doses can reach olmesartan 40 mg and amlodipine 10 mg 4, 2
Special Populations
The combination has shown efficacy in difficult-to-treat populations, including:
- Patients aged ≥65 years
- Those with BMI ≥30 kg/m²
- Black patients
- Patients with type II diabetes 5
Important Considerations
When prescribing this combination:
- Monitor for edema: Although reduced compared to amlodipine monotherapy, peripheral edema can still occur
- Drug interactions: Be cautious when combining with CYP3A4 inhibitors, as amlodipine is a substrate of this enzyme 1
- Pregnancy considerations: ARBs including olmesartan should be avoided during pregnancy 1
The amlodipine/olmesartan combination represents a rational treatment option that enables patients to achieve blood pressure goals more quickly and effectively than monotherapy, with a favorable side effect profile.