Menartan 10 mg and 20 mg film-coated tablets – olmesartan for high blood pressure

Menartan contains olmesartan medoxomil, a medicine from the group of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ATC C09CA08). Olmesartan lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels.

The medicine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and in children and adolescents aged 6 to less than 18 years. This page describes Menartan 10 mg and 20 mg film-coated tablets (pack of 28 tablets). The 40 mg strength no longer has a valid marketing authorisation in Serbia – it was terminated by a decision of 09.01.2025.

What is Menartan used for and how should it be taken?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Menartan used for?

Menartan is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and in children and adolescents aged 6 to less than 18 years.

High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, but over time it can damage the blood vessels of the heart, kidneys, brain and eyes and lead to heart attack or stroke, heart or kidney failure and blindness. Regular blood pressure checks are therefore important. Alongside the medicine, your doctor will usually recommend lifestyle changes: losing weight, stopping smoking, less alcohol and salt, and regular physical activity (walking, swimming).

How is Menartan taken and dosed?

Always take the medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

• Adults: the recommended starting dose is 10 mg once daily. If blood pressure is not controlled, the doctor may increase the dose to 20 mg once daily (optimal dose), then up to a maximum of 40 mg daily, or add another medicine (e.g. hydrochlorothiazide).
• The blood pressure-lowering effect is largely achieved within 2 weeks and is greatest at about week 8 of treatment.
• Children and adolescents aged 6 to less than 18 years: the starting dose is 10 mg once daily; if needed 20 mg, and in children weighing at least 35 kg up to 40 mg daily. In children weighing less than 35 kg the daily dose must not exceed 20 mg.

Method of administration: swallow the tablet with enough water (e.g. one glass), with or without food. If possible, take the dose at the same time every day, e.g. at breakfast.

Special patient groups

• Children: safety and efficacy in children aged 1 to 5 years have not been established; olmesartan must not be used in children under 1 year.
• Older people (65+): generally no dose adjustment; if the doctor increases the dose to 40 mg, blood pressure should be checked regularly.
• Kidney impairment: in mild to moderate impairment (creatinine clearance 20–60 mL/min) the maximum dose is 20 mg once daily; in severe impairment (below 20 mL/min) use is not recommended.
• Liver impairment: in moderate impairment the starting dose is 10 mg and the maximum 20 mg once daily; in severe impairment use is not recommended; in biliary obstruction the medicine must not be used.
• Black patients: the blood pressure-lowering effect is somewhat smaller.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• allergy to olmesartan medoxomil or any of the excipients;
• pregnancy beyond 3 months (use should also be avoided in early pregnancy);
• jaundice or impaired bile drainage from the gallbladder (biliary obstruction, e.g. gallstones);
• concomitant use with aliskiren in diabetes or impaired kidney function.

Warnings and precautions

• Tell your doctor if you take an ACE inhibitor (e.g. enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril), especially with diabetes-related kidney problems, or aliskiren – your doctor may check kidney function, blood pressure and potassium regularly.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, liver disease, heart failure or problems with heart valves or heart muscle, high potassium or adrenal gland problems.
• Severe vomiting, diarrhoea, high doses of diuretics or a low-salt diet increase the risk of an excessive drop in blood pressure.
• In people with impaired blood flow to the heart or brain, a sudden drop in blood pressure may cause a heart attack or stroke – your doctor will monitor your blood pressure carefully.
• Report severe and long-lasting diarrhoea with significant weight loss to your doctor.
• The medicine contains lactose – if you have an intolerance to some sugars, talk to your doctor.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you take, especially:

• other blood pressure-lowering medicines (the effect may be increased), in particular ACE inhibitors and aliskiren;
• potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes, diuretics and heparin – may increase blood potassium;
• lithium – its toxicity may increase, so your doctor will monitor lithium levels;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – higher risk of kidney failure and a weaker effect of Menartan;
• colesevelam hydrochloride – take Menartan at least 4 hours before it;
• certain antacids – may partly reduce the effect of the medicine.

Menartan can be taken with or without food.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• Pregnancy: the medicine is not recommended in early pregnancy and must not be taken after the third month because it may seriously harm the baby. Your doctor will usually advise switching to another medicine before a planned pregnancy or as soon as you know you are pregnant.
• Breastfeeding: use is not recommended, especially with a newborn or premature baby; your doctor may choose another treatment.

Driving and using machines

• Drowsiness or dizziness may occur during treatment of high blood pressure. If this happens, do not drive or use machines until the symptoms pass.

Possible side effects

Common (up to 1 in 10): dizziness, headache, nausea, indigestion, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, tiredness, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, bronchitis, flu-like symptoms, cough, pain in the chest, back, bones or joints, urinary tract infections, swelling of joints, feet, legs, hands or arms, blood in the urine; changes in test results (triglycerides, uric acid, urea, liver and muscle tests).

Uncommon (up to 1 in 100): anaphylactic reactions, facial swelling, vertigo, vomiting, weakness, feeling unwell, muscle pain, rash, itching, skin blisters, angina; low platelet count.

Rare (up to 1 in 1,000): swelling of the face, mouth and/or larynx with itching and rash; a large drop in blood pressure with severe light-headedness or fainting (slightly more common in older people); lack of energy, muscle cramps, impaired kidney function and kidney failure, high potassium.

Not known: yellowing of the whites of the eyes, dark urine and itchy skin – contact your doctor even if you have been taking the medicine for a long time.

Children: side effects are similar to those in adults, but dizziness and headache are more frequent, and nosebleeds are a common side effect seen only in children.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: if you have taken more tablets or a child has accidentally swallowed a tablet, go to a doctor or the nearest emergency department immediately and take the medicine pack with you.
• Missed dose: take your usual dose the next day; do not take a double dose.
• Stopping treatment: it is important to keep taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.

Related information

For additional care and support with high blood pressure (regular home blood pressure monitoring), see also the category Blood pressure monitors – products in this category do not replace the medicine you have been prescribed.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substance: olmesartan medoxomil – 10 mg or 20 mg per film-coated tablet.
• Excipients – core: microcrystalline cellulose; lactose monohydrate; hydroxypropylcellulose; low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose; magnesium stearate. Coating: titanium dioxide (E171); talc; hypromellose.
• Appearance: 10 mg – round white film-coated tablets, about 6.5 mm in diameter, marked “C13”; 20 mg – round white film-coated tablets, about 8.5 mm in diameter, marked “C14”.
• Pack: PA/Alu/PVC/Alu blister with 14 tablets; box with 2 blisters (28 film-coated tablets).
• Marketing authorisation holder: Berlin-Chemie A. Menarini Distribution d.o.o., Đorđa Stanojevića 14, Belgrade – Novi Beograd.
• Marketing authorisation numbers: 515-01-00939-22-001 (10 mg) and 515-01-00940-22-001 (20 mg), renewal of 02.03.2023.

Storage

• This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Shelf life: 3 years; do not use after the expiry date stated on the pack and blister.
• Return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

When does Menartan start to lower blood pressure?

The effect is largely achieved within 2 weeks and is greatest at about week 8 of treatment. That is why doctors usually do not change the dose before then.

Should Menartan be taken on an empty stomach?

No. Menartan can be taken with or without food. What matters is taking the dose at the same time every day with a glass of water.

What if I forget to take a tablet?

Take your usual dose the next day. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed tablet.

Is there a Menartan 40 mg?

The marketing authorisation for Menartan 40 mg ended in 2025. The strengths with a valid authorisation in Serbia are 10 mg and 20 mg; if a higher dose has been prescribed, your doctor will decide how to take it.

Sources

• ALIMS – Patient information leaflet Menartan 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg film-coated tablets (PIL)
• ALIMS – Summary of product characteristics Menartan 10 mg (SmPC)
• ALIMS – Summary of product characteristics Menartan 20 mg (SmPC)

Date sources were checked: 25.10.2026.