Micardis HCT (Telmisartan)

Description

Micardis is the brand name for telmisartan, a drug used to manage hypertension in adults. Micardis is available by physician prescription.

 

Drug Information

 

Telmisartan, the active ingredient in Micardis, is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (also known as an angiotensin II receptor blocker) mainly used to treat essential hypertension in adults. Telmisartan affects the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone hormonal system that regulates blood pressure and fluid retention in the body. With a combined effect of inhibition reactions, telmisartan is able to relieve elevated blood pressure.

 

 Telmisartan was discovered by Boehringer Ingelheim and was first marketed in 1999 as Micardis.

 

 Telmisartan’s multiple modes of action are also believed to treat cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Micardis can reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack or fatal heart problems in patients older than 55 who have serious cardiovascular diseases.

 

 Micardis is available as tablets containing 20, 40 and 80 milligrams of telmisartan.

 

 Inactive ingredients in Micardis tablets include povidone, magnesium stearate, sorbitol, meglumine and sodium hydroxide.

 

 Micardis tablets should be protected from moisture.

 

 

 

Dosage

 

Cordarone dosage will vary as per physician recommendation, age, severity of the condition and response to treatment.

 

Usually, Micardis is prescribed 40 milligrams once per day. Patients with milder conditions are prescribed 20 milligrams a day. Patients unable to take ACE inhibitors in combination are prescribed 80 milligrams per day.

 

 Micardis tablets must be administered orally by swallowing with or without meals.

 

 Micardis tablets should be taken whole without chewing, crushing or breaking.

 

 Religiously follow the physician prescribed dosage. Do not take more or less of the drug than prescribed.

 

 It’s recommended that Micardis be taken same time each day.

 

 Blood pressure should be monitored regularly while taking Micardis.

 

 It might take more than two weeks for effects of Micardis against hypertension to show.

 

 Micardis dosages should be taken regularly even if the patient “feels fine.” Hypertension patients do not experience “feeling sick” symptoms. The prescribed dosage is essential for the drug to be effective.

 

Warnings and Precautions

 

 Micardis can cause birth defects or miscarriages, therefore pregnant patients are strongly advised against taking Micardis. Immediately notify a physician if pregnancy occurs during administration of Micardis.

 

 Do not take Micardis if allergic to any of the ingredients in the drug or similar substances.

 

 Micardis may not be safe with diuretics (water pills), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), digoxin, lithium and potassium supplements or substitutes.

 

 Consult a physician before taking Micardis with other blood pressure drugs.

 

 Do not take Micardis with any medications containing aliskiren.

 

 Patients with following conditions consultations should consult a physician about safety of Micardis: kidney problems, liver disease, heart disease and dehydration.

 

 Patients on low salt diets should exercise precaution and seek advice from a physician before taking Micardis.

 

Side Effects

 

Micardis and telmisartan could potentially cause one or more of the following side effects:

 

 Dizziness
 Lightheadedness
 Swelling in hands, ankles or feet
 Feeling faint
 Sinus pain
 Back pain
 Diarrhea

 

Side effects are not limited to the above.

 

Immediately consult a physician if side effects continue to persist or worsen over time.