Proprietary medicinal products based on olmesartan, angiotensin II antagonists: OLMETEC (olmesartan)

• Olmesartan is indicated, in monotherapy or in combination, in the treatment of essential arterial hypertension (AH).
• The efficacy of olmesartan, unlike that of the majority of other sartans, has been demonstrated only in terms of a reduction in blood pressure readings and not in terms of morbidity and mortality (except in uncomplicated essential AH).
• Unlike the other sartans that are available, olmesartan carries an increased risk of serious enteropathies, even though they are very rare (< 1/10,000).
• The results of a study by CNAMTS confirmed an increased risk of hospitalisation for intestinal malabsorption with olmesartan compared with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which was not found for other sartans.
• Prescription of olmesartan instead of another sartan could be a missed opportunity for patients. These proprietary medicinal products thus no longer have a role in the therapeutic strategy for patients with hypertension.

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