Telmisartan (Systemic)
Brand Names : Micardis
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For telmisartan, the
following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to telmisartan. Also tell your health care professional
if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,
or dyes.
Pregnancy - Use of telmisartan during pregnancy, especially during
the second and third trimesters (after the first 3 months) can cause low blood
pressure, severe kidney failure, or possibly death in the newborn. Therefore, it is important that you check with your doctor immediately
if you think that you may have become pregnant.
Be sure that you have
discussed this with your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether telmisartan passes into
breast milk. However, telmisartan passes into the milk of lactating rats.
Because this medicine may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding is generally
not recommended while you are taking it.
Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult
patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of telmisartan
in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults - This medicine has been tested in patients 65 years
of age or older and has not been shown to cause different side effects or
problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Racial differences - Black patients may have a smaller response to the blood pressure-lowering
effects of telmisartan.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. It is important that
your health care professional know if you are taking any other medicines.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of telmisartan. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Aortic valve damage - Risk of decreased blood flow through the
heart
-
Congestive heart failure (severe) - Lowering of blood pressure
by telmisartan may make this condition worse
-
Dehydration (fluid and electrolyte loss due to excessive perspiration,
vomiting, diarrhea, prolonged diuretic therapy, dialysis, or dietary salt
restriction) - Blood pressure-lowering effects of telmisartan may
be increased
-
Kidney disease - Effects of telmisartan may make this condition
worse
-
Liver disease, severe - Blood levels of telmisartan may be higher
in patients with this condition
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