S Amlodipine+telmisartan
About
S Amlodipine+telmisartan belongs to the class of medicines called ‘anti-hypertensive’ primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Hypertension or high blood pressure is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against the artery wall is high. As a result, it leads to heart diseases, irregular heartbeat and other complications.
S Amlodipine+telmisartan is a combination of two medicines include: S-Amlodipine and Telmisartan, which are antihypertensive medicines. S-Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker and works by relaxing and widening the blood vessels. It is equally efficacious at a half dose with better tolerability, and fewer side effects include peripheral oedema than amlodipine. Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist that lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow by preventing blood vessel's narrowing. It is used to lower the chances of stroke, heart attack and death. Altogether, S Amlodipine+telmisartan helps to lower high blood pressure, chest pain (angina) and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease.
Take S Amlodipine+telmisartan as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take S Amlodipine+telmisartan for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain side effects dizziness, stomach pain, nausea, constipation, double vision, muscle cramps, swollen ankles, oedema (fluid retention), hypotension (low blood pressure). Most of these side effects of S Amlodipine+telmisartan do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist longer, please consult your doctor.
If you are known to be allergic to S Amlodipine+telmisartan or any other medicines, please inform your doctor. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should discontinue this S Amlodipine+telmisartan because it can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. Please do not stop taking S Amlodipine+telmisartan on your own, which may lead to the recurrence of symptoms or worsen the condition. Rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down as it may cause you to feel lightheaded or weak, especially when you stand up. Avoid potassium supplements with S Amlodipine+telmisartan as it may lead to high potassium levels in the blood. It is advised to drive with caution after taking S Amlodipine+telmisartan as it usually causes drowsiness and affects the driving ability.
Uses of S Amlodipine+telmisartan
Medicinal Benefits
S Amlodipine+telmisartan is a combination of two medicines, namely: S-Amlodipine and Telmisartan primarily taken to prevent hypertension (high blood pressure). S-Amlodipine belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blocker that dilates (widens) blood vessels and increases blood flow. S-amlodipine is equally effective at a half dose with better tolerability and lesser side effects include peripheral oedema than amlodipine. Telmisartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that lower increased blood pressure by blocking a naturally occurring substance known as angiotensin II (that tightens your blood vessels). It allows these constricted blood vessels to relax and therefore helps lower high blood pressure. It is used to lower the chances of stroke, heart attack and death. Collectively, S Amlodipine+telmisartan helps to lower high blood pressure, chest pain (angina), and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of S Amlodipine+telmisartan
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Double vision
- Muscle cramps
- Swollen ankles
- Oedema (fluid retention)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Don't stop taking S Amlodipine+telmisartan without talking to your doctor first. Stopping S Amlodipine+telmisartan abruptly may cause changes in your blood pressure and heart rhythm, cause chest pain or a heart attack. Your doctor will lower your dose gradually over a period of time to help prevent these symptoms. S Amlodipine+telmisartan should not be given to the people allergic to S Amlodipine+telmisartan or any of its ingredients, have low blood pressure (less than 90 mm of Hg), have had a heart attack, kidney disease, liver disease. Do not take S Amlodipine+telmisartan if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or breastfeeding. S Amlodipine+telmisartan is not recommended to children below 18 years. S Amlodipine+telmisartan can cause ankle or foot swelling, raise your legs while you are sitting down and talk to your doctor if it does not go away. Avoid potassium supplements with S Amlodipine+telmisartan as it may lead to high potassium levels in the blood. Do not consume alcohol with S Amlodipine+telmisartan as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: S Amlodipine+telmisartan may interact with other blood pressure treating medicines (ramipril, aliskiren, simvastatin, verapamil, diltiazem), antifungal (ketoconazole, itraconazole), medicines used to treat HIV infections (ritonavir¸ indinavir, nelfinavir, nevirapine), pain killers (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin), antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, rifampicin, rifabutin) a medicine used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms (digoxin), antiepileptics (phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine), bipolar disorder medication (lithium), and immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, tacrolimus).
Drug-Food Interaction: S Amlodipine+telmisartan severely interacts with grapefruit, grapefruit juices, and St. John’s wort (a plant used to treat depression). Hence it should not be taken with S Amlodipine+telmisartan. Minimize high potassium foods intake.
Drug-Disease Interaction: People with diabetes, hyperkalemia (high potassium levels in the blood), hypotension (low blood pressure), kidney and liver problems should consult the doctor before taking S Amlodipine+telmisartan.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeS Amlodipine+telmisartan and alcohol together result in an abnormal decrease in blood pressure levels, thus strictly not to be taken together.
Pregnancy
unsafeS Amlodipine+telmisartan is not recommended and unsafe in pregnancy. It can affect and harm the baby. Consult your doctor before taking S Amlodipine+telmisartan if you plan to become pregnant or already pregnant. Your doctor will weigh the potential risks and benefits before prescribing S Amlodipine+telmisartan.
Breast Feeding
unsafeS Amlodipine+telmisartan is known to pass breast milk, but its effect on the baby is not known. So, before breastfeeding, let your doctor know about this. Either you need to stop breastfeeding for using S Amlodipine+telmisartan or stop taking S Amlodipine+telmisartan.
Driving
cautionS Amlodipine+telmisartan may cause side effects like dizziness, headaches, nausea, or tiredness, which can affect your ability to concentrate and drive. Hence, it is recommended not to drive or operate machinery until you are mentally alert.
Liver
cautionS Amlodipine+telmisartan has been found to affect liver function in certain cases thus patients with liver problems should discuss with their doctor for proper guidance regarding treatment with this medication.
Kidney
cautionS Amlodipine+telmisartan consists of Telmisartan drug, which may affect the kidney functioning. A patient is strictly advised to consult and discuss with his/her doctor before taking this medication.
Children
unsafeS Amlodipine+telmisartan is not recommended for use in the people below 18 years of age as its safety and effectiveness have been not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with BMI 19.5-24.9.
- Do regular physical activity or exercise for at least 150 minutes per week or about 30 minutes most days of the week. Doing this can help you to lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm of Hg.
- Limit intake of sodium chloride (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
- If you are taking alcohol, then only one serving for women and two servings for men is advisable.
- Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spent time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily and if there is too much fluctuation, then immediately contact your doctor.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
- Keep a check on your daily blood pressure, and if you notice any fluctuations, please consult a doctor.
- Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while using S Amlodipine+telmisartan unless your doctor has told you to do so.
- S Amlodipine+telmisartan may cause swelling in the ankles and feet, try to avoid sitting for long times or maintain limb elevation while sitting.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Blood pressure is the measurement of the force that our heart uses to pump blood to all parts of the body. Hypertension is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when blood supply to the heart is blocked). Additionally, high blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. High blood pressure can be diagnosed with the help of a blood pressure monitor or sphygmomanometer. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is the pressure when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg and, diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg.
FAQs
S Amlodipine+telmisartan is a combination of two medicines: S-Amlodipine and Telmisartan. S-Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) and Telmisartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). They work by relaxing the blood vessels and making the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Together, they lower blood pressure effectively.
S Amlodipine+telmisartan not recommended to take if you are pregnant as it can cause damage to the unborn baby (may lead to fetal toxicity). It contains telmisartan, a category D pregnancy drug and it is harmful to the baby.
No, you are advised to inform your doctor and monitor your blood pressure for at least two weeks before stopping the medicine. Depending upon your current blood pressure readings, there is a possibility your doctor may lower your medicine dosage and not recommend discontinuing it.
S Amlodipine+telmisartan contains telmisartan which may increase potassium levels in the blood (hyperkalemia). Therefore, it is recommended to avoid the intake of potassium supplements and foods that are rich in potassium like coconut water, bananas and broccoli.
Yes, S Amlodipine+telmisartan contains S-amlodipine, which is known to cause ankle swelling upon long term use. Please try to keep your feet up when sitting for long hours. If the problem persists still, consult your doctor and do as advised.
Please inform your doctor before surgery if you are taking S Amlodipine+telmisartan as it needs to be stopped because it might lower the blood pressure further if taken along with general anesthesia.
