Telmisartan

The recommended adult dose of telmisartan is 80 mg once a day at approximately the same time each day, with or without food. It will take about 2 weeks for reductions in blood pressure to become noticeable and another 2 weeks until the full effects of the medication are realized. People with reduced liver function are usually given 40 mg once daily to start.

It is important to take Telmisartan regularly and to follow your doctor's instructions regarding blood pressure monitoring to ensure that you are getting the maximum benefit from the medication.

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Store telmisartan at normal room temperature in a dry place (not in the bathroom) and keep it out of the reach of children. Do not remove tablets from their blister-pack until you are ready to take them.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause headaches; it may cause diarrhea; it may cause dizziness - use caution when getting up from a lying or sitting position and use caution if driving; on occasion, it may cause a dry cough - contact your pharmacist or doctor if it becomes bothersome. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

40 mg
Each white, oblong, uncoated tablet, engraved with "rph" on one side and "T72" on the other side, contains 40 mg telmisartan. Nonmedicinal ingredients: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, meglumine, povidone, sodium hydroxide, and sorbitol.

80 mg
Each white, oblong, uncoated tablet, engraved with "rph" on one side and "T71" on the other side, contains 80 mg telmisartan. Nonmedicinal ingredients: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, meglumine, povidone, sodium hydroxide, and sorbitol.

Do not take telmisartan if you:

• are allergic to telmisartan or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• have experienced angioedema as a reaction to any angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breast-feeding
• have Diabetes or Kidney Disease and are taking the medication Aliskiren
• are allergic to certain sugars (fructose and/or sorbitol intolerant)

There may be an interaction between telmisartan and any of the following:

• Aldesleukin
• aliskiren
• alpha-blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Silodosin, Tamsulosin)
• amifostine
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, Lisdexamfetamine)
• angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; Captopril, Enalapril, Ramipril)
• other angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs; e.g., Candesartan, Irbesartan, Losartan)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Clozapine, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• barbiturates (e.g., secobarbital, Phenobarbital)
• beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Propranolol, Sotalol)
• brimonidine
• Celecoxib
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Clonidine
• Cyclosporine
• dexmethylphenidate
• Digoxin
• Dipyridamole
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene)
• drospirenone
• Duloxetine
• Eplerenone
• Guanfacine
• Heparin
• Hydralazine
• isosorbide dinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate
• levodopa
• lithium
• low molecular weight heparins (e.g., Dalteparin, Enoxaparin, Tinzaparin)
• methyldopa
• Methylphenidate
• Minoxidil
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• Nitroglycerin
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; e.g., Naproxen, Ibuprofen)
• Obinutuzumab
• Pentoxifylline
• phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil)
• potassium supplements or medications that increase potassium in the blood
• Rituximab
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• sodium phosphates
• Tacrolimus
• Tizanidine
• tolcapone
• Tolvaptan
• Trimethoprim
• Yohimbine

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Telmisartan. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Telmisartan.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Telmisartan may cause drowsiness or dizziness, affecting your ability to drive or operate machinery. Avoid these and other hazardous tasks until you have determined how Telmisartan affects you.

Kidney disease: Telmisartan may affect kidney function, especially for people who already have kidney problems. Taking Telmisartan along with the medication aliskiren or an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) further increases the risk of kidney problems. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, renal artery stenosis (narrowing of blood vessels in the kidneys), or Congestive Heart Failure, discuss with your doctor how Telmisartan may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Telmisartan, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of decreased kidney function, such as puffy hands, face or feet, high blood pressure, unusual muscle cramping, or darkened urine, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Liver disease: Telmisartan is removed from the body by the liver. On rare occasions, it may cause liver problems. If you have liver disease or decreased liver function, discuss with your doctor how Telmisartan may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Telmisartan, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Low Blood Pressure: If you have orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure caused by standing up, which may lead to fainting), you should be cautious while taking telmisartan, as it can worsen the condition. The first time Telmisartan is taken, it may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. This may be reduced by taking the medication in a sitting position and being careful to rise slowly to a standing position. The dizziness usually improves after the first dose, but if the medication is stopped and then started again, it may reappear. Your doctor may also adjust the dose.

Potassium levels: Telmisartan may affect potassium levels in the blood, especially when used for heart failure, or when taken with other medications called ACE inhibitors, aliskiren, or diuretics such as Spironolactone. Your doctor will monitor your potassium levels while on Telmisartan. Avoid using salt substitutes that contain potassium while you are taking telmisartan.

Pregnancy: Telmisartan may cause severe harm to an unborn fetus and should not be taken during pregnancy. If you discover you are pregnant while taking Telmisartan, stop taking the medication and tell your doctor at once.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if telmisartan passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Telmisartan, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Telmisartan have not been established for children.

This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. You should take this medication at approximately the same time each day. It must be used regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Be sure to keep an adequate supply on hand. If you forget a dose, simply skip it and then take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. This medication may be taken with or without food.