Azor contains a combination of amlodipine and olmesartan. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels.
Olmesartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Olmesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
Azor is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Azor may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information about Azor
Do not use Azor if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Azor, unless your doctor has told you to.
If you have diabetes, do not use Azor together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).
Call your doctor at once if you have swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest, urinating less than usual, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling, or if you feel like you might pass out.
In rare cases, Azor can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Azor if you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc) or olmesartan (Benicar).
If you have diabetes, do not use Azor together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).
You may also need to avoid taking Azor with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
To make sure Azor is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
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liver disease;
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angina (chest pain);
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heart disease, coronary artery disease;
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congestive heart failure;
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if you are 75 years or older; or
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if you have recently had a heart attack.
If you are also taking a beta-blocker, do not suddenly stop using the beta blocker suddenly without first talking to your doctor. Stopping a beta blocker too quickly can cause serious heart problems that will not be prevented by Azor. Follow your doctor"s instructions about tapering your dose.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Azor if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Azor can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
It is not known whether amlodipine and olmesartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Azor.
How should I take Azor?
Take Azor exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
You may take Azor with or without food.
You may have very low blood pressure while taking this medication. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your kidney function may also need to be checked.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Azor. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store Azor at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid?
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Azor, unless your doctor has told you to.
Azor side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Azor: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
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swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain;
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pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
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severe or ongoing diarrhea with weight loss;
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little or no urinating;
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unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine);
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jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
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chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling.
Common Azor side effects include:
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dizziness, drowsiness;
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flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
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hair loss; or
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mild skin rash or itching.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Azor?
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Azor, especially:
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colesevelam;
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lithium;
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simvastatin;
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NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others;
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a diuretic or "water pill"; or
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other medications that lower blood pressure.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with Azor, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
