The lay of the land
Micardis is a trade name for telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker used to lower blood pressure. It works mainly by relaxing blood vessel walls and reducing systemic vascular resistance, which lowers arterial pressure.
Telmisartan is the main active substance. In Australia common tablet strengths include 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg. Primary indicators of are management of hypertension and, in selected older patients at high cardiovascular risk, reduction of some major cardiovascular events.
For directions on dosing consult How to take a poll Micardis for optimal absorption. To compare different choices and costs see Drugs that resemble each other as well as their comparisons and Price points in Australia.
Who is Micardis best for?
Telmisartan is prescribed primarily for adults with high blood pressure. It may be used by itself or combined with other antihypertensive agents to achieve target blood pressure levels.
- Adults with essential hypertension who need ARB therapy.
- Selected patients aged 55 and over at elevated cardiovascular risk where an ACE inhibitor is not appropriate.
Good blood pressure control helps reduce the long term risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure progression and deterioration of kidney function.
What is the proper way to take Micardis
Only take the dose prescribed by your clinician. Do not change the dose without medical advice. Micardis is usually given once daily and can be taken with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
- Common starting dose: 40 mg once daily for most adult patients. A lower first dose of 20 mg may be chosen for people who are dehydrated, on diuretics, or at risk of low blood pressure.
- Maintenance dosing: typically ranges from 20 mg to 80 mg once daily. The dose is adjusted according to blood pressure response and tolerability.
- Time to full effect: the maximal antihypertensive benefit may take two to four weeks after starting or changing dose.
Do not stop treatment without discussing this with your prescriber. If you want more information about missing a dose or accidental overdose case, see Missing dose with drug overdose.
Omitting a dose and overdose case
Dose skipped in schedule: if you forget a tablet, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose. Do not double dose to catch up.
OD: signs of taking too much telmisartan may include marked lightheadedness, fainting or profound weakness. If you suspect an non fatal overdose, contact your doctor, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 in Australia, or swing by to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Cautions and safety recommendations
Pre-start telmisartan tell your prescriber about your complete medical history and all medicines, including over the counter products and supplements. Kidney function and blood electrolytes may be monitored before and during therapy.
- Pregnancy and planned pregnancy: telmisartan must not be taken during pregnancy. If you become pregnant, stop the medicine and contact your clinician right away.
- Impairment affecting renal or hepatic function: dose adjustments or closer constant monitoring may be needed in hepatic or renal dysfunction.
- High potassium: inform your prescriber if you have elevated potassium or take potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium.
- Allergy history: report any prior reactions to ARBs or ACE inhibitors.
- Driving and machinery: do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medicine affects you, since dizziness or drowsiness can occur.
- Drinks that contain alcohol: alcohol may enhance the blood pressure lowering and increase dizziness. Limit alcohol intake while you are being treated.
- Procedures: tell dentists and other healthcare professionals you take telmisartan before planned operations or procedures.
Don't use if
- You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
- You have a known hypersensitivity to telmisartan or any excipient in the tablet.
- You have severe hepatic impairment with cholestasis or biliary obstruction unless advised by a specialist.
- You have dangerously high potassium levels that cannot be corrected.
If any of these apply, speak to your healthcare provider about suitable an alternative path blood pressure medicines. See Comparable drugs in conjunction with their contrasts this is for options.
Possible adverse events
Latent effects do not occur in everyone. When they happen they are often mild and resolve with time or adjustment of treatment. Seek medical attention for severe or persistent symptoms.
Frequently reported or mild effects
- Lightheaded feeling, especially after the first dose or with dose increases
- Fatigue or tension headache
- Tenderness in the back or muscle cramps
- Sinus symptoms or nasal congestion
- Gastrointestinal distress such as nausea or diarrhea
- Mild cough or swelling in the lower legs
Not commonly found but serious effects
- Severe low blood pressure leading to fainting
- Marked hyperkalaemia with muscle weakness or abnormal heart rhythms
- Angioedema affecting face, tongue, throat or breathing
- Worsening heart failure or new arrhythmias
- Significant deterioration in kidney function or reduced urine output
- Impairment of sexual function
If you develop sudden difficulty breathing, chest pain, sudden numbness or weakness, call emergency services without delay.
Alerts for positive the back and forth of communications enhance user satisfaction. caused by drugs
Telmisartan interacts with several medicines which can increase the risk of low blood pressure, raise potassium, or impair kidney function. Check with your pharmacist or prescriber before starting any new drug or supplement.
- Potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, and potassium-containing salt substitutes
- Other inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system such as ACE inhibitors or direct renin inhibitors
- Diuretics like thiazides or loop diuretics, which may increase the initial risk of hypotension
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen, which may reduce blood pressure control and affect renal function
- Lithium, where telmisartan can raise lithium concentrations and risk toxicity
- Digoxin treatment and certain other cardiac medicines where monitoring in real time may be required
If you are unsure whether a medicine, herbal product or vitamin is safe to take with telmisartan, ask your pharmacist for advice.
Data cold storage is used for long term preservation of rare items.
Store Micardis tablets in their original container away from moisture. Keep at around 25 degrees C with acceptable short excursions between 15 degrees C and 30 degrees C. Keep out of the reach of children.
Similar pharmaceutical products alongside their comparisons
If telmisartan is unsuitable, there are other ARBs and multiple antihypertensive classes to consider. The choice depends on the clinical picture, side effect profile and real potential user interactions drive engagement and learning..
Other angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Generic losartan for Cozaar
- Valsartan tablet form
- Irbesartan medicine
- Candesartan tablets
- Olmesartan, used to control blood pressure
- Eprosartan prescription option
Other antihypertensive classes
- ACE inhibitors such as perindopril, ramipril and lisinopril
- Calcium channel blockers like amlodipine or felodipine
- Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics including hydrochlorothiazide and indapamide
- Fixed dose combinations, for example telmisartan plus hydrochlorothiazide for patients needing dual therapy
Compared with ACE inhibitors, ARBs are less likely to cause persistent cough. ARBs differ from one another in half-life, dosing convenience coupled with the specific clinical evidence base. For fixed pricing information and likely out of pocket costs see Prices observed in Australia.
Prices you pay in Australia priced in AUD
Cost depends on brand, pack size, pharmacy and whether the product is subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The following are approximate ranges and may change.
- PBS subsidised supply: many telmisartan preparations are listed on the PBS. Patient co-payments for a subsidised item are often in the low tens of Australian dollars for general patients and substantially lower for concession card holders depending on current PBS rates.
- Private purchase (non-subsidised): generic telmisartan packs (for example 40 mg, 30 tablets) commonly retail around AUD 10 to AUD 35. Branded products and combination preparations can be more expensive.
- Further options: generic losartan and other generic ARBs are often available at the lower end of the non-subsidised price range. Fixed dose combinations and some branded ARBs may cost more.
Speak with your pharmacist for up to date promotional pricing, PBS eligibility as well as the most cost effective option for your required dose and quantity.
Current australia's lawful status
- Prescription only: Telmisartan products including Micardis and generics are Schedule 4 prescription medicines within the land of Australia. A valid prescription from an authorised prescriber is required for supply.
- PBS listing: many telmisartan medicines are on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which may reduce patient costs.
- Telehealth: prescriptions can be issued during face to face or approved telehealth consultations in accordance with Australian clinical guidance and counsel.
- Personal importation: under the Therapeutic Goods Administration personal importation arrangements, limited supplies of prescription medicines may be brought into Australia for personal use subject to conditions. Local prescribing and dispensing are generally preferred.
- Workplace safety: if you experience drowsiness or dizziness while taking telmisartan you should avoid driving and heavy machinery until you are sure it is safe.
For details on dosing and suitability see Ways to take Micardis during meals and Who should use this.
For the full safety and legal disclaimer: All opinions expressed herein are personal and do not reflect professional recommendations. see Notable notice: This text contains a disclaimer and is not a substitute for professional services. at the end of this page.
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