Allina Hospitals & Clinics - Telmisartan (By mouth)

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Telmisartan (By mouth)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to telmisartan or if you are pregnant.

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
This medicine works best when you take it at the same time every day and do not miss any doses.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids if you exercise, sweat more than usual, or have diarrhea or vomiting.
This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Protect the tablets from moisture. Do not remove the tablets from the blister pack until you are ready to use them.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Make sure your doctor knows if you also use other medicines for high blood pressure (such as enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril, Accupril®, Altace®, Lotrel®, or Zestril®) or a diuretic (water pill, such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, triamterene, Aldactazide®, Aldactone®, Dyazide®, Hyzaar®, Lasix®, Lotrel®, Maxzide®, Moduretic®, or Zestoretic®). Tell your doctor if you use digoxin (Lanoxicaps®, Lanoxin®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), or an NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, celecoxib, ibuprofen, naproxen, rofecoxib, valdecoxib, Advil®, Aleve®, Bextra®, Celebrex®, Motrin®, or Vioxx®).
Ask your doctor before you use supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding or if you have kidney problems, liver disease, congestive heart failure, low blood pressure, or a mineral imbalance (such as high potassium or low sodium in the blood).
This medicine could lower your blood pressure too much and cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Stand or sit up slowly if you are dizzy. This is more likely to happen when you begin to use the medicine. It could also happen if you have diarrhea or vomiting, sweat heavily, or do not drink enough water and become dehydrated. If you faint, call your doctor right away.
Do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor, even if you feel well. This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it will help keep it in the normal range. You may have to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Confusion, weakness, trouble breathing, or numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips
Change in how much or how often you urinate, or painful urination
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
Rapid weight gain
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

Last Updated: 2/4/2013