Telmisartan+atorvastatin
About
Telmisartan+atorvastatin is a combination medicine used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol level). Additionally, Telmisartan+atorvastatin is used to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke in adults. Hypertension is a medical condition in which the blood pressure is elevated persistently in the arteries without any known cause. Hyperlipidemia or dyslipidemia is the deposition of unhealthy levels of fats (lipids) in the blood.
Telmisartan+atorvastatin is a combination of two drugs, namely: Telmisartan (angiotensin receptor blocker) and Atorvastatin (cholesterol-lowering drugs). Telmisartan works by blocking the action of angiotensin II in the body that, causes the narrowing of blood vessels (arteries), leading to high blood pressure. Thereby relaxing and widening the blood vessels. Thus, lowers high blood pressure. Atorvastatin lowers the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol in the blood. Telmisartan+atorvastatin helps to decrease the production of cholesterol that may build up in the blood vessels (arteries) of the heart, brain, and other parts of the body.
Your doctor will advise you on how often you need to take Telmisartan+atorvastatin based on your medical condition. In a few cases, you may experience a sinus infection, dizziness, hyperglycemia (excess of glucose in the bloodstream), headache, blurred vision, constipation, nausea, diarrhoea, muscle spasms, and back pain. Most of these side effects of Telmisartan+atorvastatin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. Consult your doctor immediately if you have yellowing eye/skin (jaundice), dark urine, or repeated unexplained muscular pain.
Avoid intake of potassium supplements with Telmisartan+atorvastatin 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+atorvastatin as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Telmisartan+atorvastatin may cause a breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. This condition usually occurs in the elderly, people with kidney disease, and poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). The efficiency of Telmisartan+atorvastatin can be increased by taking low fat or cholesterol-containing food and drinks, a low salt diet, and regular exercise.
Uses of Telmisartan+atorvastatin
Medicinal Benefits
Telmisartan+atorvastatin is a combination drug namely; Telmisartan (blood pressure-lowering agent) and Atorvastatin (cholesterol-lowering agent) primarily taken to prevent heart attack and stroke in people with heart problems. It also lowers the raised level of bad cholesterol (especially those at high risk of heart diseases). 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. Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication that blocks the enzyme required to make cholesterol in the body. It reduces the bad cholesterol (also known as low-density lipoproteins or LDL), triglycerides (TG) and increases the levels of good cholesterol (also known as high-density lipoproteins or HDL). Together Telmisartan+atorvastatin reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Telmisartan+atorvastatin
- Dizziness
- Stuffy nose, sinus pain
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Muscle pain
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Hyperglycemia (Increased glucose level in blood)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Telmisartan+atorvastatin should not be given to the people allergic to Telmisartan+atorvastatin, have low blood pressure (less than 90 mm of Hg), have had a heart attack, kidney disease, liver disease, pregnant women or planning to get pregnant and breastfeeding women. It should be used with caution in patients suffering from diabetes. Avoid intake of potassium supplements with Telmisartan+atorvastatin 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. Taking Telmisartan+atorvastatin with painkillers (like aspirin and ibuprofen) can increase the risk of kidney problems and reduced the efficiency of Telmisartan+atorvastatin. If you are taking or have taken in the last 7 days a medicine called fusidic acid for bacterial infection orally or by injection. Telmisartan+atorvastatin contains Atorvastatin, the combination of fusidic acid and Atorvastatin can lead to rhabdomyolysis (serious muscle problems). Telmisartan+atorvastatin may cause tiredness or dizziness in some people. Make sure you are not affected before driving. Do not consume alcohol with Telmisartan+atorvastatin as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Telmisartan+atorvastatin may interact with other high blood pressure-lowering pills (benazepril, metoprolol, ramipril, aliskiren, verapamil, simvastatin, lisinopril, amiloride, amlodipine, diltiazem), other medicines to regulate lipid levels (gemfibrozil, azilsartan, clofibrates, fenofibrate, colestipol, ezetimibe), medicines to regulate your heart rhythm (digoxin), a medicine used to reduces blood clotting (warfarin), antibiotics (trimethoprim, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, fusidic acid), anti TB drug (rifampicin), antifungal (ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole), anti-HIV drugs (ritonavir, lopinavir, atazanavir, indinavir, darunavir), medicines used to treat hepatitis C(telaprevir, boceprevir), anti-epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone), immune-suppressing drugs (cyclosporine, tacrolimus), and pain killers (ibuprofen, aspirin).
Drug-Food Interaction: Telmisartan+atorvastatin severely interacts with grapefruit, grapefruit juices, and St. John’s wort (a plant used to treat depression). Hence it should not be taken with Telmisartan+atorvastatin.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Telmisartan+atorvastatin should not be given to people with electrolytes problem (low potassium, low magnesium or low sodium), cardiogenic shock (when the heart fails to pump required blood to the body), heart valve problem (stenosis), low blood pressure (hypotension), coronary heart disease, hypothyroidism (an under-active thyroid gland) severe respiratory failure, diabetes, liver disease, kidney problem, or heart failure.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid consumption of alcohol with Telmisartan+atorvastatin as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure and cause adverse effects such as dizziness, fainting, light-headedness, or headache.
Pregnancy
cautionTelmisartan+atorvastatin is a Category D pregnancy drug and is considered unsafe for pregnant women especially in the second and third trimesters. Contact your doctor before taking Telmisartan+atorvastatin.
Breast Feeding
cautionAvoid breastfeeding while taking Telmisartan+atorvastatin as it may be unsafe for the baby
Driving
unsafeTelmisartan+atorvastatin may cause dizziness or tiredness in some people. So, make sure you are not affected before driving or operating machinery.
Liver
cautionTake Telmisartan+atorvastatin with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Telmisartan+atorvastatin is not recommended for patients with severe liver disease.
Kidney
cautionTake Telmisartan+atorvastatin with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionIt is not recommended for children below 18 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.
- Try to replace most of your saturated fats with unsaturated fats that can reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in a short span of time. Foods like avocados, olive oil, fatty fish, and nuts contain lots of heart-healthy unsaturated fats, so it’s beneficial to eat them regularly.
- Try to adopt a Mediterranean-style diet rich in olive oil, fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and fish, and low in red meat and most dairy.
- Try to give priority to more fruits and veggies in your daily meal as these contain antioxidants that help to lower LDL
- Minimize the intake of added sugar. The American Heart Association (ADA) recommends, one should not eat more than 100 calories (25 grams) of added sugar for women and children, and no more than 150 calories (37.5 grams) for men every day.
- American Heart Association recommends the intake of sodium chloride (table salt) should not exceed more than 2,300 mg per day as part of a healthy eating pattern.
- Do regular exercise such as cycling, walking, jogging, dancing, or swimming for a minimum of 30 minutes per day.
- Try aromatherapy, yoga, meditation to help relax your body and mind.
- 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.
- As a precautionary measure, do not consume alcohol and quit smoking.
Special Advise
Monitor your blood pressure regularly and if you notice any fluctuations, please consult a doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: 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 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.
Hyperlipidemia: High cholesterol, known as hyperlipidemia or dyslipidemia, occurs when there is an excess of the unhealthy balance of cholesterol in the blood. When there is a high cholesterol level in the blood, your arteries get narrowed and clogged that finally contributes to heart diseases like stroke and heart attack. Eating high-fat or high-cholesterol containing food/drinks and genetic factors are the primary causes of high cholesterol.
FAQs
Telmisartan+atorvastatin is composed of two medicines, namely: Telmisartan and Atorvastatin. Telmisartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), that works by relaxing the blood vessels and making the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Atorvastatin lowers raised fat/cholesterol. Thus, together Telmisartan+atorvastatin reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
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 to discontinue it.
Usually, Telmisartan+atorvastatin is prescribed for a long term treatment ranging from weeks to months for treating heart-related conditions and disorders. However, taking it on your own for years without a doctor's consent can be fatal. Hence, only take it as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you.
Increase your daily diet with fiber, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish, and cut saturated fat as well. Stop smoking and drinking and try to work out every day as well.
Telmisartan+atorvastatin 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.
No, Telmisartan+atorvastatinare 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+atorvastatin.
Telmisartan+atorvastatin contains atorvastatin which can raise your blood sugar a little. If you already have type 2 diabetes please consult your doctor. Your doctor may adjust the dosage of Telmisartan+atorvastatin.
