Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide

Generic Name: hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan

Brands: Micardis HCT

What is the most important information I should know about Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide?

· Do not take Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, telmisartan can cause injury and even death to the developing baby. Notify your doctor immediately if you think you might be pregnant.

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.

· Stop taking Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide and contact your doctor if lightheadedness or fainting occurs.

· Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizziness that may occur while you are taking an Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide.

· Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

What are Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide?

· Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor inhibitor, also called angiotensin II receptor antagonist, and is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

· Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). It increases the amount of water and salt you lose in your urine and decreases edema (swelling or fluid retention).

· Together, Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide are used to reduce hypertension (high blood pressure).

· Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide?

· Do not take Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide without first talking to your doctor if you have an allergy to sulfa-based drugs such as sulfa antibiotics. You may have an allergic reaction to hydrochlorothiazide.

· Before taking Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you ·have diabetes; ·have gout; ·have a collagen vascular disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus; ·have pancreatitis; ·have kidney disease; ·have liver disease; ·have high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides in your blood; ·have high levels of potassium in your blood; or ·are taking potassium a supplement (e.g., K-Dur, Klor-Con, others), or a potassium-sparing diuretic such as amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone).

· You may not be able to take Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that it is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, telmisartan can cause injury and even death of the developing baby. Do not take this medication if you are pregnant.

· Hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. It is not known whether telmisartan passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide?

· Take Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Take each dose with a full glass of water.

· Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide can be taken with or without food.

· Stop taking Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide and contact your doctor if lightheadedness or fainting occurs.

· Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking this medication suddenly, your condition could become worse.

· Store Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention.

· Symptoms of an overdose of Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide are not well known but may include dizziness, weakness, fainting, fatigue, low blood pressure and changes in heart rate.

What should I avoid while taking Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide?

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Also, use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.

· Stop taking Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide and contact your doctor if lightheadedness or fainting occurs.

· Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizziness that may occur while you are taking Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide.

· Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt may cause your body to retain water. Talk to your doctor before making changes in your diet.

· Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements without first talking to your doctor. Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide can affect potassium levels in your body.

· Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. It is easy to become dangerously dehydrated while you are taking Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide.

What are the possible side effects of Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide?

· If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking this medication and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment: ·an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); ·fast heartbeats; ·little or no urine; ·unusual fatigue, abnormal bleeding or bruising; ·yellow skin or eyes; ·confusion; or ·fainting.

· Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take your medication and talk to your doctor if you experience ·dizziness; ·nausea or upset stomach; ·diarrhea; ·headache; ·cough; ·muscle pain or cramps; ·rash; or ·insomnia.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide?

· Before taking Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you are taking ·a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others; ·a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide); ·a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), and others; ·an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Glynase, Diabeta), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolazamide (Tolinase), or tolbutamide (Orinase); ·a steroid medicine such as prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone, others), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Pediapred, Prelone), and others; ·cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid); ·lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others); or ·digoxin (Lanoxin).

· You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has additional information about Telmisartan-Hydrochlorothiazide written for health professionals that you may read.

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