Telmisartan (tel-mi-SAR-tan)

Used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure. Also lowers the risk of heart or blood vessel problems (such as stroke or heart attack) in patients 55 years of age and older. This medicine is an angiotensin receptor blocker.

Brand Name(s):

Micardis

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• This medicine also works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at the same time each day.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids if you exercise, sweat more than usual, or have diarrhea or vomiting while you are using this medicine.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Protect the tablets from moisture and do not remove from the blister pack until you are ready to use them.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using other medicines for high blood pressure (such as enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril, Accupril®, Altace®, Lotrel®, or Zestril®) or a diuretic or "water pill" (such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, triamterene, Aldactazide®, Aldactone®, Dyazide®, Hyzaar®, Lasix®, Lotrel®, Maxzide®, Moduretic®, or Zestoretic®). Tell your doctor if you are using digoxin (Lanoxicaps®, Lanoxin®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), or pain or arthritis medicine sometimes called "NSAIDs" (such as aspirin, celecoxib, ibuprofen, naproxen, rofecoxib, valdecoxib, Advil®, Aleve®, Bextra®, Celebrex®, Motrin®, or Vioxx®).
• Do not use medicines, supplements, or salt substitutes that contain potassium, unless your doctor tells you to.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney problems, liver disease, congestive heart failure, heart disease, dehydration, or a mineral imbalance (such as high potassium or low sodium in the blood).
• Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any symptoms of the condition. In fact, many patients feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.
• This medicine may make you feel lightheaded, dizzy, or faint, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position suddenly. Getting up slowly may help. These symptoms are more likely to occur when you begin taking this medicine, or when the dose is increased.
• Check with your doctor right away if you become sick while taking this medicine, especially with severe or continuing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. These conditions may cause you to lose too much water or salt which may lead to low blood pressure.
• Check with your doctor right away if you experience dizziness, fainting, confusion, muscle pain, weakness, and/or a fast heartbeat. Use extra care if you exercise or if the weather is hot. Heavy sweating can cause dehydration (loss of too much water) or electrolyte imbalances (loss of potassium, magnesium, or sodium in the body).
• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, faint, or lightheaded. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert.
• If you stop using this medicine, your blood pressure may go up. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. Even if you feel well, do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Chest pain (may be related to your disease and not a side effect).
• Confusion, body weakness, shortness of breath, or numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate, or painful urination.
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, and body aches.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
• Rapid weight gain.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Back or joint pain.
• Diarrhea, nausea, or stomach pain or upset.
• Headache.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088