Telmisartan
About Telmisartan
Telmisartan is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) in adults and 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. This hormone causes blood vessels to narrow, leading to high blood pressure. By blocking this action, Telmisartan widens and relaxes blood vessels, lowering high blood pressure.
You can take Telmisartan irrespective of food and swallow it whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break it. Your doctor will tell 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 potassium supplements with Telmisartan as they may lead to high potassium levels in the blood, so the doctor may ask you to check your potassium level regularly. 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 reduce the 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. It is an angiotensin II receptor blocker that decreases high blood pressure by widening and relaxing the blood vessels by blocking the action of a hormone called angiotensin II in the body. Angiotensin II causes blood vessels to narrow, leading to high blood pressure.
Directions for Use
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 potassium supplements with Telmisartan as they may lead to high potassium levels in the blood, so the doctor may ask you to check your potassium level regularly. 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 reduce the 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). This 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. Your doctor may adjust the dose 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. Your doctor may adjust the dose as required.
Children
unsafeIt is not recommended for children below 12 years as the safety and effectiveness in children are not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a low-salt diet and avoid processed foods, which contain more sodium. Try to replace salt with spices or herbs to add flavour to the food.
- Regular exercise such as cycling, walking, jogging, dancing, or swimming should be done for a minimum of 30 minutes daily.
- Chronic stress may also cause high blood pressure. Therefore, avoid stress by changing your expectations, adjusting to how you react in certain situations, and making time for yourself to do activities 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.
- A low salt diet and regular exercise are recommended along with Telmisartan for effective results.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): When blood pressure rises, too much force develops on the lining of the arteries, making the heart work harder to pump blood throughout the body. This results in damage to 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 patients older than 55 years of age and is characterized by blood vessel disease in the heart, brain, or legs (coronary, peripheral, or cerebral vascular disease) or diabetes with organ damage.
FAQs
Telmisartan is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) in adults and to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke in adults.
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 potassium supplements and foods that are rich in potassium, such as 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 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 should contact your doctor to adjust the dose to be used safely.
Telmisartan should be taken as advised by the doctor. It is better to take it at the same time daily as it will help you remember to take the medicine.
Your blood pressure may be decreased during the first 2 weeks of treatment. However, it might take 4 weeks for you to notice the full benefit of Telmisartan.
Telmisartan should not be discontinued without a doctor's consultation as stopping Telmisartan may cause blood pressure to return to pre-treatment levels within a few days. Therefore, continue taking Telmisartan even if you feel well. Consult the doctor if you have any concerns.
Before starting Telmisartan inform the doctor if you have kidney problems as it might worsen the condition. You may need a lower dose in such cases. Consult the doctor if you notice unexplained weight gain or swelling in the hands, feet or ankles.
Do not worry as Telmisartan may not cause weight gain. However, consult the doctor if you notice unexplained weight gain as it could be a sign of kidney problems.
Telmisartan might lower blood glucose levels. Therefore, inform the doctor if you have diabetes. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is advised.
Yes, Telmisartan may cause hyperkalemia (high potassium level in blood). The doctor may monitor your potassium levels as needed.
No, Telmisartan does not work by causing excessive urination. It works by relaxing the blood vessels and improving blood flow.
Telmisartan can be taken with or without food.
Side effects of Telmisartan are diarrhoea, sinus infection, back pain, or low blood pressure. Most of these side effects may not require medical attention and resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor.
Telmisartan may interact with other medications, particularly NSAIDs (painkillers). Therefore, consult the doctor before taking other medications while on treatment with Telmisartan.
Seek immediate medical attention if you overdose on Telmisartan. Overdose may cause low blood pressure, dizziness and slow/fast heartbeat.
