Telmisartan

Generic name: Telmisartan
Brand names: Micardis
Dosage form: oral tablet (20 mg; 40 mg; 80 mg)
Drug class: Angiotensin receptor blockers

Usage of Telmisartan

Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (sometimes called an ARB) that is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Telmisartan is also used to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death from heart problems in people who are at least 55 years old with risk factors for serious heart disorders.

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

Telmisartan side effects

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

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

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

little or no urination;

swelling in your feet or ankles, rapid weight gain;

unusual pain or tightness in your lower body;

a skin ulcer; or

high blood potassium--nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement.

Common side effects of telmisartan may include:

stuffy nose, sinus pain;

back pain; or

diarrhea.

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 Telmisartan

You should not use telmisartan if you are allergic to it.

If you have diabetes, do not take telmisartan with any medicine that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

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

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

a heart condition other than one being treated with telmisartan;

liver disease;

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or

if you are on a low-salt diet.

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

If you plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use before and during pregnancy. Having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications in the mother and the baby.

You should not breastfeed while using telmisartan.

Relate drugs

How to use Telmisartan

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 40 mg orally once a dayMaintenance dose: 40 to 80 mg orally once a dayComments: Most of the antihypertensive effect is present within 2 weeks; maximum blood pressure reduction at a given dose is generally observed within 4 weeks of starting that dose.

Usual Adult Dose for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction:

80 mg orally once a dayComments:-It is unknown whether doses lower than 80 mg are effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.-When initiating this drug for cardiovascular risk reduction, monitoring of blood pressure is recommended, and if appropriate, adjustment of other medications that lower blood pressure.Use: Reduction of risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes in patients 55 years or older at high risk of developing major cardiovascular events who are unable to take angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. High risk for cardiovascular events can be evidenced by a history of coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or high-risk diabetes (insulin-Dependent or non-insulin dependent) with evidence of end-organ damage.

Warnings

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

If you have diabetes, do not take telmisartan with any medicine that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

What other drugs will affect Telmisartan

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

digoxin;

lithium;

a diuretic or "water pill" or other blood pressure medicine; 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 telmisartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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