Sevikar

What is Sevikar?

Sevikar is a combined tablet which treats hypertension. The two active ingredients, olmesartan and amlodipine, work together to lower your blood pressure. It’s recommended when one treatment alone hasn’t been successful at reducing blood pressure.

One of the major benefits of Sevikar is that the effects of it last longer than many other treatments for hypertension. So you don’t have to take the tablets as often to keep your blood pressure under control: it’s just a once daily treatment.

How does Sevikar work?

Sevikar contains two active ingredients which help to lower blood pressure, olmesartan medoxomil and amlodipine besilate. Olmesartan is a type of drug called an angiotensin-II receptor antagonist. It lowers your blood pressure by blocking a molecule in your body called angiotensin II, and this helps to relax your blood vessels ^[1].

Amlodipine is a type of medication called a calcium channel blocker. This also lowers your blood pressure, but in a different way. It stops your blood vessels from narrowing by lowering the amount of calcium that can enter your heart and blood vessels.^[2]

What doses of Sevikar are there?

Sevikar comes in three different doses:

• 20mg amlodipine and 5mg olmesartan
• 40mg amlodipine and 5mg olmesartan
• 40mg amlodipine and 10mg olmesartan

Your clinician will decide which dose is right for you based on your blood pressure, and what’s worked (or not worked) for you before. You’ll have your blood pressure monitored regularly when using the treatment, and if a lower dose doesn’t work well for you, you might be advised to try a higher dose.

There’s also a version called Sevikar HCT, which contains a third active ingredient called hydrochlorothiazide. If the combination treatment with two ingredients (amlodipine and olmesartan) doesn’t help to control your blood pressure well enough, this is another option that might be recommended to you.

How to take Sevikar

You should always take your medication as directed by your prescriber.

• Take your dose of Sevikar once per day.
• Swallow Sevikar whole with water, and don’t chew or crush the tablet.
• You can take Sevikar with or without food.
• Try to take Sevikar around the same time every day.
• Don’t drink grapefruit juice while taking Sevikar. Grapefruit juice interacts with a few different medications and if you drink it while taking Sevikar, it strengthens the effects and you can lower your blood pressure by too much. ^[1]

How long does it take Sevikar to work?

Sevikar starts working very quickly, with the concentration of it in your blood hitting peak levels at 1.5 to 3 hours. However, it will take some time to get the full effects of it. You may need to wait up to eight weeks before Sevikar has had a chance to influence your blood pressure fully. ^[1]

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Sevikar?

If you forget to take Sevikar, take it as soon as you remember. You should never take a double dose to make up for missing a dose. If you’re worried you won’t remember to take Sevikar, try setting an alarm. You could also try to build a habit of taking it at a specific time, like breakfast.

If you take too much Sevikar, you might lower your blood pressure too much. If this happens, seek emergency medical attention. Try to take the leaflet with you so the doctor or nurse you see can see what you’ve taken. ^[1]