Drug Name

Micardis (Telmisartan)

Drug Uses

This drug is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). This drug works by blocking the hormone angiotensin thereby relaxing blood vessels, causing them to widen. High blood pressure reduction helps halt strokes, heart attacks, as well as kidney problems.

How Taken

Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. You may take this drug with or without food. Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the alike time each day. Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without talking to your doctor or pharmacist earliest. This medicine can raise your potassium levels, which rarely can cause humorless side effects such as muscle weakness or very unhurried heartbeats. Tell your doctor immediately incase these effects occur. The dosage is based on your health examination condition as well as response to therapy. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take 4 weeks before the filled benefit of this drug occurs. It is substantial to continue using this medication even incase you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Micardis is a member of a family of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), which includes losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), irbesartan (Avapro), as well as candesartan (Atacand). ARBs block the ability of the artificial angiotensin II to constrict or squeeze arteries as well as veins. As a result, the arteries as well as veins enlarge as well as blood pressure falls. The reduced pressure in the arteries as well as makes it easier for the heart to pump blood. Micardis was approved by the FDA in November of 2000.

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Incase it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose as well as resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light. This drug is sensitive to moisture. Therefore keep each dose in the manufacturer's original packaging until fair before using it. Brief storage between 59 as well as 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children as well as pets.

Warnings/Precautions

This drug can cause humorless fetal harm (possibly death) incase used during the final six months of pregnancy. Incase you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your health examination history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, high blood levels of potassium, heart problems, very bad dehydration (and loss of electrolytes such as sodium), diabetes (poorly controlled), any allergies (especially to ACE inhibitors such as captopril, lisinopril). This drug may make you dizzy; take caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. To minimize dizziness as well as lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the dizziness effect. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during the earliest three months of pregnancy. It is not recommended for take during the final six months of the pregnancy due to the risk for fetal harm. Discuss the risks as well as benefits with your doctor. See as well as the Warning section. It is not known incase this drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended due to the potential harm to the nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Likely Side Effects

You may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, or back pain as your body adjusts to the medication. Incase any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately incase any of these unlikely but humorless side effects occur: fainting, decreased sexual ability. Tell your doctor immediately incase any of these highly unlikely but very humorless side effects occur: change in the amount of urine. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate health examination attention incase it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), very bad dizziness, trouble breathing. Incase you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

More Information

Do not share this medication with others. Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise as well as dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that may benefit you. Laboratory and/or health examination tests (e.g., kidney function, potassium blood level) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. Possess your blood pressure checked regularly while using this medication. Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home. Discuss this with your doctor.