telmisartan – oral, Micardis
WARNING: This drug can cause serious harm to an unborn baby if used during pregnancy. It is important to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication. Consult your doctor to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control if you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant.
USES: This medication treats high blood pressure (hypertension), preventing strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Telmisartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that relaxes blood vessels for improved blood flow. This drug may also treat heart failure and help protect the kidneys from diabetes-related damage.
HOW TO USE: Read the Patient Information Leaflet before starting telmisartan. Take the medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Take it at the same time each day and continue even if you feel well. It may take up to 4 weeks for the full benefit of this drug to be seen. Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or worsens.
SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, lightheadedness, and changes in urine amount may occur initially. Get up slowly from sitting or lying positions to reduce the risk of dizziness. Serious side effects such as fainting or high blood potassium levels are rare. Seek medical help immediately if you experience any severe allergic reactions or notice other serious side effects.
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking telmisartan, inform your doctor or pharmacist about any allergies or medical history, especially liver disease, bile duct blockage, high blood potassium levels, or loss of body water/minerals. This medication can cause dizziness, so avoid activities that require alertness until you know how it affects you. Drinking alcohol may worsen dizziness. Take caution if experiencing excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting as these may cause lightheadedness. This drug may increase potassium levels, and surgery may require adjustment of medication. Telmisartan is not recommended during pregnancy and its effects on breastfeeding are unknown. Consult your doctor before use.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug may interact with other medications, affecting their effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects. Keep a list of all the products you use and share it with your doctor and pharmacist to avoid interactions. Some products that may interact include aliskiren, lithium, ramipril, and drugs that increase blood potassium levels. Check labels on other medications for potential interactions. In case of overdose, seek medical help immediately.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Keep the medication in the blister pack until ready to use or tightly closed if in a bottle. Do not store in the bathroom. Properly discard expired or unused medication. Keep away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or drain unless instructed to do so.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
If you experience negative side effects from prescription drugs, report them to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
This information is intended to supplement the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. It is not a substitute for professional advice.
