Telmisartan
About Telmisartan
Telmisartan belongs to a group of medicines known as angiotensin II receptor blockers that are used for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) in adults. Additionally, Telmisartan is used to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke in adults. Essential hypertension is a medical condition in which the blood pressure is elevated persistently in the arteries without any known cause. On the other hand, heart attack or stroke occurs due to blocked blood flow to the heart or brain, respectively.
Telmisartan works by blocking the action of a hormone called angiotensin II in the body that causes narrowing of blood vessels leading to high blood pressure. Thereby, Telmisartan widens and relaxes blood vessels. Thus, lowers high blood pressure.
You can take Telmisartan irrespective of food and swallow whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew or break it. Your doctor will let you how often you should take your tablets based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience diarrhoea, sinus infection, back pain or low blood pressure. Most of these side effects of Telmisartan do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor.
Telmisartan is not for pregnant women as its use during your pregnancy can cause injury and even death to your unborn baby. It is not known whether Telmisartan passes into your breast milk or not. Your doctor will decide if you will take Telmisartan while using Telmisartan and breastfeeding together. Prolonged intake of Telmisartan may cause high potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia). Avoid intake of potassium supplements with Telmisartan as it may lead to high potassium levels in the blood, so the doctor may ask you to have a regular check of your potassium level. Do not consume alcohol with Telmisartan as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Taking Telmisartan with painkillers (like aspirin and ibuprofen) can increase the risk of kidney problems and reduced efficiency of Telmisartan.
Uses of Telmisartan
Medicinal Benefits
Telmisartan is used to treat high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker decreases high blood pressure by widening and relaxing the blood vessels by blocks the action of a hormone called angiotensin II in the body which causes narrowing of blood vessels leading to high blood pressure.
Directions for Use
Use Telmisartan only when prescribed by a doctor. Always take Telmisartan exactly as your doctor told you. Your doctor will advise you how often you take your tablets on the basis of your medical condition. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water daily at the same time for effective results.
Storage
Side Effects of Telmisartan
- Diarrhoea
- Sinus infection
- Back pain
- Low blood pressure
Drug Warnings
Telmisartan is not recommended for people with impaired kidney function, diabetes or severe liver problems. Telmisartan may increase the risk of low blood pressure when taken with alcohol. Telmisartan may cause tiredness or dizziness in some people. Make sure you are not affected before driving. Breastfeeding women are advised to consult a doctor before taking Telmisartan. Avoid intake of potassium supplements with Telmisartan as it may lead to high potassium levels in the blood, so the doctor may ask you to have a regular check of your potassium level. Do not consume alcohol with Telmisartan as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Taking Telmisartan with painkillers (like aspirin and ibuprofen) can increase the risk of kidney problems and reduced efficiency of Telmisartan.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Telmisartan may have interaction with pain killers (ibuprofen, aspirin), blood thinners (heparin), medicines used to treat heart problems (digoxin), high blood pressure-lowering medicines (lisinopril, enalapril, ramipril, benazepril, captopril, fosinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, trandolapril, enalaprilat, aliskiren), water pills (amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene), muscle relaxant (tizanidine), antibiotics (trimethoprim), and potassium supplements.
Drug- Food Interaction: Telmisartan may interact with potassium salt substitutes and potassium supplements resulting in hyperkalaemia (high levels of potassium in the blood). It may cause severe adverse effects such as irregular heartbeat, muscle paralysis and kidney failure.
Drug-Disease Interaction: People with diabetes, cholestasis (liver disease due to the blocked flow of bile) or impaired kidney function should consult a doctor before taking Telmisartan.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid consumption of alcohol with Telmisartan as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure and cause adverse effects such as dizziness, fainting, light-headedness or headache.
Pregnancy
unsafeTelmisartan is a Category D pregnancy drug and is considered unsafe for pregnant women especially in the second and third trimesters.
Breast Feeding
cautionAvoid breastfeeding while taking Telmisartan as it may be unsafe for the baby.
Driving
unsafeTelmisartan may cause dizziness or tiredness in some people. So, make sure you are not affected before driving or operating machinery.
Liver
cautionTake Telmisartan with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Telmisartan is not recommended for patients with severe liver disease.
Kidney
cautionTake Telmisartan with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeIt is not recommended for children below 12 years as the safety and effectiveness in children is not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Maintain a low salt diet and minimize eating processed foods as they contain more sodium. Try to replace salt with spices or herbs to add flavour to the food.
Do regular exercise such as cycling, walking, jogging, dancing or swimming for a minimum of 30 minutes per day.
Chronic stress may also cause high blood pressure. Therefore, avoid stress by changing your expectations, the way you react in certain situations and making time for yourself to do activities that you enjoy.
Maintain a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.
Avoid smoking and alcohol intake.
Special Advise
Monitor your blood pressure regularly and if you notice any fluctuations, please consult a doctor.
Low salt diet and regular exercise are recommended along with Telmisartan for effective results.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): When the blood pressure rises, there is too much of force develops on the lining of arteries wall that makes the heart work harder to pump blood throughout the body. This results in the damage of the blood vessels. If high blood pressure is left untreated, it can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, and eye problems.
Cardiovascular risk: It is usually diagnosed in the patients older than 55 years of age characterized with blood vessel disease in the heart, brain, or legs (coronary, peripheral, or cerebral vascular disease) or diabetes with organ damage.
FAQs
No, you are not recommended to take Telmisartan with antidepressants or barbiturates as it may cause dizziness. However, please consult your doctor before taking Telmisartan with any other medicines.
Telmisartan may increase potassium levels in the blood (hyperkalemia). Therefore, it is recommended to avoid intake of potassium supplements and foods that are rich in potassium like coconut water, bananas and broccoli.
No, Telmisartan is not recommended for use during pregnancy especially in the second and third trimesters as it may harm the developing baby. Therefore, if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please inform your doctor before taking Telmisartan.
You are not recommended to take more than the prescribed dose of Telmisartan as it may cause Telmisartan overdose resulting in symptoms such as dizziness, low blood pressure, fast or slow heartbeat. However, if you experience any of these symptoms while taking Telmisartan, please consult a doctor immediately.
No, you are not recommended to take ibuprofen with Telmisartan as co-administration of these two medicines may reduce the effect of Telmisartan and increase the risk of impaired kidney function. However, if you experience loss of appetite, sudden weight loss or weight gain, weakness, muscle cramps, vomiting, nausea, decreased or increased urination, irregular heart rhythm and fluid retention, please consult a doctor immediately. If you are supposed to use these medicines together, you are advised to contact your doctor so that the dose may be adjusted to use safely.
