Telmisartan

• This drug can cause serious and possibly fatal harm to an unborn baby if used during pregnancy. It is important to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication.
• Consult your medical provider for more details and to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control while taking this medication.
• If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your medical provider right away.

• This medication is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
• Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems.
• Telmisartan belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily.

• Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking Telmisartan and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your medical provider or pharmacist.
• Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your medical provider, usually once daily.
• The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
• Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take up to 4 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.
• Tell your medical provider if your condition does not improve or if it worsens—for example, your blood pressure readings remain high or increase.

• Dizziness or lightheadedness may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If either of these effects continues or gets worse, tell your medical provider or pharmacist promptly.
• To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
• Angioedema is a rare but potential side effect. Symptoms include swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or neck. This is not considered an allergic reaction and can occur any time during treatment. This swelling can compromise the airway and be life threatening. Patients with a personal or family history of angioedema are at higher risk. If you believe you may be at higher risk, discuss alternative treatment options with your medical provider.
• Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your medical provider has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not experience serious side effects.
• Tell your medical provider right away if you have any serious side effects, including fainting or symptoms of a high potassium blood level (such as muscle weakness or slow/irregular heartbeat).
• Although Telmisartan may be used to prevent kidney problems or treat people who have kidney problems, it may also cause or worsen serious kidney problems in rare cases. Your medical provider will check your kidney function while you are taking Telmisartan. Tell your medical provider right away if you have any signs of kidney problems such as a change in the amount of urine.

• Rare side effects include:

  • Chest pain
  • Leg cramping from obstruction of the arteries
  • Swelling

• A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

  • Rash
  • Itching or swelling, especially of the face/tongue/throat
  • Severe dizziness
  • Trouble breathing

• This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, request a callback for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

• Before taking Telmisartan, tell your medical provider or pharmacist if you are allergic to it, or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Go to your patient dashboard and request a medical provider callback for more details.

• Before using this medication, tell your medical provider or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

  • Aortic/mitral stenosis
  • Kidney disease, including renal artery stenosis
  • Liver disease
  • Bile duct blockage
  • High level of potassium in the blood
  • Dehydration
  • Erectile dysfunction medications
• This drug may make you dizzy, which can be exacerbated by alcohol or marijuana (cannabis). Do not drive, use machinery or do anything that requires alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your medical provider if you are using marijuana.
• Too much sweating, diarrhea or vomiting may cause you to feel lightheaded. Report prolonged diarrhea or vomiting to your medical provider.
• This product may increase your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium, consult your medical provider or pharmacist.
• Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs and herbal products.
• Tell your medical provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using Telmisartan, as it may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, talk to your medical provider right away about the risks and benefits of this medication. Consult your medical provider for more details (see also “Warnings to be aware of” section).
• It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your medical provider before breastfeeding.

• Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. 
• Keep a list of all the products you use—including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products—and share it with your medical provider and pharmacist. 
• Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicines without your medical provider's approval.

• Some products that may interact with this drug include:

  • Aliskiren
  • Certain cardiac medications
  • Lithium and certain other antipsychotic medications and antidepressants
  • Ramipril
  • Drugs that may increase the level of potassium in the blood (such as ACE inhibitors including Benazepril or Lisinopril, certain antibiotics such as Bactrim or birth control pills containing Drospirenone)

• Some products have ingredients that could raise your blood pressure or worsen your heart failure. Tell your pharmacist what products you are using, and ask how to use them safely—especially cough-and-cold products, diet aids or NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen.

• Do not share this medication with others.
• Laboratory and/or medical tests such as kidney function and potassium levels should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your medical provider for more details.
• Lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better include stress reduction programs, exercise and dietary changes. Talk to your medical provider or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.
• Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home, and share the results with your medical provider.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

• Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not remove the medication from the blister pack until right before using. If the medication comes in a bottle, keep container tightly closed. Do not store in the bathroom.
• Keep all medications away from children and pets.
• Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details.