Micardis HCT

Generic name: Hydrochlorothiazide And Telmisartan
Drug class: Angiotensin II inhibitors with thiazides

Usage of Micardis HCT

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

Micardis HCT 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.

Micardis HCT may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Micardis HCT 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, Micardis HCT 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 Micardis HCT 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 Micardis HCT

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

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

You may also need to avoid taking Micardis HCT 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. Micardis HCT 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.

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How to use Micardis HCT

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking Micardis HCT. This can lead to very low blood pressure, a serious electrolyte imbalance, or kidney failure.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine.

It may take up to 4 weeks for this medication to control your blood pressure. 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 medicine for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep each tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it. Gently push the tablet through the foil to remove it.

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 Micardis HCT together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

What other drugs will affect Micardis HCT

If you also take cholestyramine or colestipol, avoid taking these medications within 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take Micardis HCT.

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 Micardis HCT, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.