Hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan

Generic name: Hydrochlorothiazide And Telmisartan
Brand names: Micardis HCT
Dosage form: oral tablet (12.5 mg-40 mg; 12.5 mg-80 mg; 25 mg-80 mg)
Drug class: Angiotensin II inhibitors with thiazides

Usage of Hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water pill). Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (sometimes called an ARB blocker).

Hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan is a combination medicine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan 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 unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark colored urine.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

eye pain, vision problems;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

swelling in your hands or feet, unusual weight gain;

easy bruising, unusual bleeding; or

signs of an electrolyte imbalance--dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, confusion, feeling restless, vomiting, muscle pain or weakness, lack of energy, fast heartbeats, little or no urine, or a seizure.

Common side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan may include:

dizziness, feeling tired;

nausea, diarrhea;

back pain; or

cold or flu symptoms.

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.

Before taking Hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan

You should not use hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or telmisartan, if you are unable to urinate.

If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

You may also need to avoid taking hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney disease;

liver disease;

glaucoma;

low or high levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood;

asthma or allergies;

lupus;

diabetes; or

an allergy to penicillin or sulfa drugs.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Relate drugs

How to use Hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 to 25 mg-Telmisartan 80 mg orally once a dayMaximum dose: Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg-Telmisartan 160 mg orally once a dayComments:-This drug may be substituted for the individual titrated components.-If blood pressure remains uncontrolled by hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg orally once a day monotherapy, may switch to hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 to 25 mg-telmisartan 80 mg orally once a day. Reassess after 2 to 4 weeks; may increase up to hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg-telmisartan 160 mg orally once a day.-If blood pressure is controlled by hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg orally once a day monotherapy, but hypokalemia occurs, may switch to hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg-telmisartan 80 mg orally once a day.-If blood pressure remains uncontrolled by telmisartan 80 mg orally once a day monotherapy, may switch to hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg-telmisartan 80 mg orally once a day; may titrate up to hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg-telmisartan 160 mg orally once a day, if necessary.Use: Treatment of hypertension; not indicated for initial therapy.

Warnings

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

You should not use this medicine if you are unable to urinate.

If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

What other drugs will affect Hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan

If you also take cholestyramine or colestipol, avoid taking these medications within 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

any other heart or blood pressure medications;

digoxin;

lithium;

a diuretic or "water pill";

insulin or oral diabetes medicine;

opioid pain medicine;

a sleeping pill;

steroid medicine or adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH);

a barbiturate such as Butabarbital, phenobarbital, or secobarbital; or

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), Celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

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