Patient response to olmesartan (Benicar)

Olmesartan (Benicar) has two actions. It palliates symptoms by reducing inflammationThe complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli such as pathogens or damaged cells. It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue., and it activates the innate immune responseThe body's first line of defense against intracellular and other pathogens. According to the Marshall Pathogenesis the innate immune system becomes disabled as patients develop chronic disease.. Patients who begin the Marshall Protocol (MP) may experience either, both, or neither. According to one rough estimate, 25% of patients who begin the MP experience immediate symptomatic relief when they begin the olmesartan blockade, about 25% feel no different, and the other 50% will experience some adjustment symptoms. Even for MP patients who have a minimal initial reaction to olmesartan, the medication almost always ultimately has strong antibacterial effects resulting in immunopathology. For olmesartan to be effective, it has to be dosed regularly: 40mg every 6-8 hours.

A patient's level of 1,25-D lowers dramatically after beginning olmesartan. For a period of up to two weeks, patients may find an increase in neurological symptoms. These symptoms are due to fluctuations in the hormone 1,25-D and may include photosensitivityAbnormal sensitivity to sunlight and bright lights. Also referred to as "sun flare" or "light flare.", fatigue, headache, irritability, sleep disturbances, and brain fogThe loss of intellectual functions such as reasoning; memory loss; and other neurological abilities that is severe enough to interfere with daily functioning.. At least in the first week or two, none of these symptoms are due to bacterial die-off.

To minimize the severity of any neurological symptoms, patients must diligently avoid light exposure and not increase olmesartan gradually but start regular dosing all at once.

Once the body's mechanisms for regulating hormones has adjusted to regular doses of olmesartan, patients may find that they experience immunopathology or an increase in symptoms of disease. It is often the case that this is due to olmesartan's molecular actions. In its role as Vitamin D Receptor agonist, olmesartan activates the innate immune response, which leads to the transcription of anti-microbial peptides, the body's broad-spectrum antibacterials. This results in bacterial die-off and an unpleasant increase in symptoms.

Though the immunopathological reactionA temporary increase in disease symptoms experiences by Marshall Protocol patients that results from the release of cytokines and endotoxins as disease-causing bacteria are killed. to olmesartan is near universal in the MP cohort, nothing that would suggest an increase in symptoms is listed in the monograph for olmesartan. In fact, the only adverse event in which olmesartan had a higher incidence than a placebo is for dizziness (3% vs. 1%). However, it should be noted, the patients in these studies were given Benicar only once a day.

This discrepancy underscores how crucial regular dosing of olmesartan is for achieving an immune response.

Olmesartan is classified as an Angiotensin II Receptor Blocking (ARBA drug which is an angiotensin receptor blocker. One of the ARBs is olmesartan (Benicar). Not all ARBs activate the Vitamin D Receptor.) drug. When olmesartan binds and blocks the Angiotensin Receptor, it prevents fibrotic tissue from forming and decreases levels of Nuclear Factor Kappa B, a protein that stimulates the release of inflammatory cytokinesAny of various protein molecules secreted by cells of the immune system that serve to regulate the immune system. - proteins that generate pain and fatigue. The drop in cytokines results in less inflammation and oxidative stress.

For this reason, higher doses or more frequent administration of olmesartan is strongly recommended during severe immunopathology and critical care situations.

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