Telmisartan 40mg,80mg
Class: Angiotensin II receptor antagonist (ARB / blocker)
Manufacturer: Micro Labs Limited (India)
Dosage Form: Uncoated tablets
Similar Brands:
Uses:
- Treatment of essential hypertension (high blood pressure) in adults (not caused by another condition). Untreated hypertension can damage organs (heart, kidneys, brain, eyes), leading to heart attack, heart/kidney failure, stroke, or blindness—regular BP monitoring is essential.
- Reduction of cardiovascular events (e.g., heart attack, stroke) in high-risk adults with: reduced/blocked blood supply to heart/legs (atherothrombotic disease), history of stroke, or high-risk type 2 diabetes. Your doctor assesses risk.
Dosage:
Take exactly as prescribed—once daily at the same time, swallowed whole with water (non-alcoholic drink), with or without food.
Hypertension: Usual starting/maintenance 40 mg once daily; may increase to 80 mg if needed (max effect in 4–8 weeks). Can combine with diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide) for additive effect.
Cardiovascular risk reduction: 80 mg once daily (monitor BP closely at start; lower doses may not be effective).
Special groups: Liver impairment—max 40 mg/day; Renal impairment—no routine adjustment but monitor (lower start if severe); Elderly—no adjustment.
Children/adolescents: Not recommended under 18 years. Continue daily until doctor advises otherwise. If effect too strong/weak, consult doctor/pharmacist.
Hypertension: Usual starting/maintenance 40 mg once daily; may increase to 80 mg if needed (max effect in 4–8 weeks). Can combine with diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide) for additive effect.
Cardiovascular risk reduction: 80 mg once daily (monitor BP closely at start; lower doses may not be effective).
Special groups: Liver impairment—max 40 mg/day; Renal impairment—no routine adjustment but monitor (lower start if severe); Elderly—no adjustment.
Children/adolescents: Not recommended under 18 years. Continue daily until doctor advises otherwise. If effect too strong/weak, consult doctor/pharmacist.
Side Effects:
Common (up to 1 in 10): Low blood pressure (hypotension, especially in CV prevention users).
Uncommon (up to 1 in 100): Urinary/upper respiratory tract infections (e.g., sore throat, sinusitis, cold), anemia, high potassium, insomnia, depression, fainting, vertigo, slow heart rate, orthostatic hypotension, shortness of breath, cough, abdominal pain/diarrhea/discomfort/bloating/vomiting, itching/sweating/rash, back/muscle cramps/pain, kidney impairment (including acute failure), chest pain, weakness, elevated creatinine.
Rare (up to 1 in 1,000): Sepsis (severe infection/”blood poisoning”—may lead to death), eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, anaphylaxis/severe allergy (rash/itching/breathing difficulty/swelling/low BP), low blood sugar (diabetics), anxiety, somnolence, vision impairment, tachycardia, dry mouth, upset stomach, taste disturbance, abnormal liver function (more in Japanese patients), angioedema (rapid swelling—may be fatal), eczema, skin redness/hives, severe rash, joint/extremity/tendon pain, flu-like illness, low hemoglobin, high uric acid/hepatic enzymes/CPK.
Very rare (up to 1 in 10,000): Interstitial lung disease (progressive lung scarring).
Serious effects (e.g., angioedema, sepsis) require immediate medical attention—stop medicine and seek help. Not all experience side effects.
Uncommon (up to 1 in 100): Urinary/upper respiratory tract infections (e.g., sore throat, sinusitis, cold), anemia, high potassium, insomnia, depression, fainting, vertigo, slow heart rate, orthostatic hypotension, shortness of breath, cough, abdominal pain/diarrhea/discomfort/bloating/vomiting, itching/sweating/rash, back/muscle cramps/pain, kidney impairment (including acute failure), chest pain, weakness, elevated creatinine.
Rare (up to 1 in 1,000): Sepsis (severe infection/”blood poisoning”—may lead to death), eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, anaphylaxis/severe allergy (rash/itching/breathing difficulty/swelling/low BP), low blood sugar (diabetics), anxiety, somnolence, vision impairment, tachycardia, dry mouth, upset stomach, taste disturbance, abnormal liver function (more in Japanese patients), angioedema (rapid swelling—may be fatal), eczema, skin redness/hives, severe rash, joint/extremity/tendon pain, flu-like illness, low hemoglobin, high uric acid/hepatic enzymes/CPK.
Very rare (up to 1 in 10,000): Interstitial lung disease (progressive lung scarring).
Serious effects (e.g., angioedema, sepsis) require immediate medical attention—stop medicine and seek help. Not all experience side effects.
Warnings & Precautions:
Tell doctor if: kidney disease/transplant, renal artery stenosis, liver disease, heart trouble, high aldosterone, low BP (or dehydration/salt loss from diuretics/low-salt diet/diarrhea/vomiting), high potassium, diabetes.
Special caution with ACE inhibitors/aliskiren (especially diabetes/kidney issues—may need kidney/BP/electrolyte checks); digoxin.
Surgery/anesthesia: Inform doctor.
Black patients: May be less effective.
Pregnancy: Avoid in early pregnancy; contraindicated >3 months (serious fetal harm—stop immediately if pregnant; switch to alternative).
Breast-feeding: Not recommended—consult doctor for alternatives.
Driving/machinery: Avoid if dizzy/tired.
Overdose: Seek emergency help (symptoms may include severe low BP).
Missed dose: Take when remembered (next day normal); no double dose.
Special caution with ACE inhibitors/aliskiren (especially diabetes/kidney issues—may need kidney/BP/electrolyte checks); digoxin.
Surgery/anesthesia: Inform doctor.
Black patients: May be less effective.
Pregnancy: Avoid in early pregnancy; contraindicated >3 months (serious fetal harm—stop immediately if pregnant; switch to alternative).
Breast-feeding: Not recommended—consult doctor for alternatives.
Driving/machinery: Avoid if dizzy/tired.
Overdose: Seek emergency help (symptoms may include severe low BP).
Missed dose: Take when remembered (next day normal); no double dose.
Pregnancy & Lactation:
Pregnancy: Not recommended early; contraindicated >3 months (fetal harm/death possible). Tell doctor if pregnant/planning—stop and switch.
Lactation: Not recommended—tell doctor; alternative preferred, especially newborns/premature.
Lactation: Not recommended—tell doctor; alternative preferred, especially newborns/premature.
Drug Interactions:
Tell doctor/pharmacist about all medicines:
- Lithium (depression).
- Potassium-raising (salt substitutes, potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors/ARBs, NSAIDs like aspirin/ibuprofen, heparin, immunosuppressants like cyclosporin/tacrolimus, trimethoprim).
- Diuretics (high doses → excessive water loss/low BP).
- ACE inhibitors/aliskiren (avoid in diabetes/impaired kidneys).
- Digoxin.
NSAIDs/corticosteroids may reduce telmisartan effect.
Other BP-lowering meds (e.g., baclofen, amifostine) or alcohol/barbiturates/narcotics/antidepressants may increase low BP/dizziness.
Contraindications:
Telmisartan is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug or its excipients, during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy due to potential fetal renal damage and other risks, and in those with severe hepatic impairment or biliary obstructive disorders. It should not be combined with aliskiren in individuals with diabetes or moderate-to-severe renal impairment (GFR <60 mL/min/1.73m²), as this increases the risk of adverse renal effects
Price: Ksh 1450/- (Arbitel 40mg 30s), 2130/- (Arbitel 80mg 30s)
Notes:
How to Store:
Keep out of sight/reach of children. No special temperature needed; store in original package to protect from moisture. Remove from blister only before use. Do not use after expiry (on carton after “EXP”). Dispose via pharmacist (not wastewater/household waste).
Keep out of sight/reach of children. No special temperature needed; store in original package to protect from moisture. Remove from blister only before use. Do not use after expiry (on carton after “EXP”). Dispose via pharmacist (not wastewater/household waste).