What is the most important information I should know about telmisartan?
Stop using this 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 have diabetes, do not use telmisartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).
What is telmisartan?
Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Telmisartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
Telmisartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications.
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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking telmisartan?
You should not use telmisartan if you are allergic to it.
If you have diabetes, do not use telmisartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).
You may also need to avoid taking telmisartan with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
To make sure telmisartan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
- liver disease;
- heart disease;
- if you are dehydrated; or
- if you are on a low salt diet.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using 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. Use effective birth control.
It is not known whether telmisartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
How should I take telmisartan?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
You may take telmisartan with or without food.
Do not crush, chew, or break a telmisartan tablet. Swallow it whole.
Keep each tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it. Tear or cut the blister apart from the rest of the package and peel back the paper liner. Push the tablet through the foil to remove it.
It may take 2 to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medicine as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
You may have very low blood pressure while taking telmisartan. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store telmisartan tablets in their original package at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking telmisartan?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of telmisartan.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking telmisartan, unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
What are the possible side effects of telmisartan?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
In rare cases, 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, and dark colored urine.
Also call your doctor at once if you have:
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- little or no urinating;
- swelling, rapid weight gain; or
- high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling).
Common side effects 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.
What other drugs will affect telmisartan?
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with telmisartan, especially:
- digoxin;
- lithium;
- a diuretic or "water pill";
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, or meloxicam, and others; or
- ramipril or other blood pressure medicines.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with telmisartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about telmisartan.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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