Telmisartan+amlodipine
About Telmisartan+amlodipine
Telmisartan+amlodipine belongs to the class of anti-hypertensive drugs, primarily used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Hypertension is a medical condition in which blood pressure is elevated persistently in the blood vessels.
Telmisartan+amlodipine contains Telmisartan and Amlodipine, which work by preventing the tightening of blood vessels. This helps relax the blood vessels and improves blood flow. Thereby, Telmisartan+amlodipine helps treat high blood pressure.
In some cases, Telmisartan+amlodipine may cause side effects such as peripheral oedema (swelling in legs and arms), diarrhoea, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Do not take Telmisartan+amlodipine if you are allergic to any of its components. Telmisartan+amlodipine is not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in children. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medications to prevent interactions/side effects.
Uses of Telmisartan+amlodipine
• Hypertension Management: Telmisartan+amlodipine is primarily used to help lower high blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Heart Failure Treatment: Telmisartan+amlodipine may be prescribed to patients who are experiencing heart failure symptoms, helping to improve heart function and reduce strain on the heart.
• Kidney Protection: Telmisartan+amlodipine can be utilised to protect the kidneys, especially in patients with high blood pressure and diabetes, by lowering blood pressure and improving kidney function over time.
• Combination Therapy: Telmisartan+amlodipine can be used in combination with other antihypertensive medications to achieve better control of blood pressure in patients requiring multiple therapies.
Medicinal Benefits
- Telmisartan+amlodipine is a combination medicine used to manage high blood pressure (hypertension). It contains Telmisartan (an angiotensin II receptor blocker) and Amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker).
- It helps relax and widen blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood and reducing blood pressure.
- This medicine is prescribed when treatment with either Telmisartan or Amlodipine alone does not adequately control blood pressure.
- By lowering blood pressure effectively, Telmisartan+amlodipine helps reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular problems.
- Telmisartan+amlodipine is used as the first medicine to lower your high blood pressure if your doctor decides you are likely to need more than one medicine.
Directions for Use
- Telmisartan+amlodipine can be taken with or without food, as advised by the doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions regarding the dosage and duration for effective results.
- Swallow Telmisartan+amlodipine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Telmisartan+amlodipine
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Swelling of hands, legs or feet
- Low blood pressure
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Telmisartan+amlodipine if you are allergic to any of its components.
- Inform your doctor if you have diabetes, high blood potassium levels, liver, kidney or heart problems.
- Telmisartan+amlodipine is not recommended for children as its safety has not been established.
- Telmisartan+amlodipine may harm the foetus if used during pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. This medicine should be discontinued as soon as pregnancy is detected.
- This medicine may cause dizziness; do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Telmisartan+amlodipine affects you.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Telmisartan+amlodipine may interact with other blood pressure treating medicines (ramipril, aliskiren, simvastatin), pain killers (ibuprofen, naproxen), a drug used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms (digoxin), bipolar disorder medication (lithium), and immunosuppressants (cyclosporine or tacrolimus).
Drug-Food Interactions: Minimise high potassium foods intake and avoid over-the-counter potassium supplements, grapefruit, or its juice.
Drug-Disease Interactions: People with diabetes, hyperkalemia (high potassium levels in the blood), low blood pressure, and kidney and liver problems should consult the doctor before taking Telmisartan+amlodipine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is unsafe to consume alcohol since alcohol consumption may increase the risk of low blood pressure and cause adverse effects such as dizziness, fainting, light-headedness, or headache.
Pregnancy
unsafeTelmisartan+amlodipine is not recommended during pregnancy as it may harm the foetus. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. This medicine should be discontinued as soon as pregnancy is detected.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor before taking Telmisartan+amlodipine if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will decide if you need to take Telmisartan+amlodipine or breastfeed. You should not do both.
Driving
cautionTelmisartan+amlodipine may cause side effects like dizziness, headaches, and nausea, which can affect your ability to concentrate and drive. Hence, it is recommended not to drive until you are mentally alert.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending on your current liver condition.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor Telmisartan+amlodipine if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending on your current kidney condition.
Children
unsafeTelmisartan+amlodipine is not recommended to use in children. Please consult the doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Create a well-balanced and healthy diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, omega-3-rich foods, and lean protein sources.
- Keep your weight under control with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- Avoid chronic stress, as it can raise your blood pressure.
- Spend time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Be mindful of salt; consume no more than 2,300 mg each day.
- Limit or avoid alcohol consumption.
- Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
Special Advise
- Keep a check on your daily blood pressure, and if you notice any fluctuations, please consult a doctor. A low-salt/sodium diet and regular exercise are recommended, along with Telmisartan+amlodipine, for effective results.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a condition in which the blood exerts increased pressure on the walls of blood vessels, leading to hypertension. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and a heart attack (when the blood supply to the heart is blocked). High blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. Symptoms of high blood pressure include headache, dizziness, nose bleed, changes in vision, chest pain, weakness and dyspnoea (shortness of breath). However, most of the time, the signs and symptoms of hypertension are none.
FAQs
Telmisartan+amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It lowers the blood pressure by widening and relaxing blood vessels.
No, do not stop taking Telmisartan+amlodipine on your own, even if you feel well. To treat your condition effectively, continue taking Telmisartan+amlodipine for the duration prescribed by the doctor.
It is unsafe to use Telmisartan+amlodipine during pregnancy as it may harm the unborn baby. Please consult the doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Please consult your doctor before taking Telmisartan+amlodipine if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will decide if you need to take Telmisartan+amlodipine or breastfeed. You should not do both.
It is not recommended to use potassium supplements along with Telmisartan+amlodipine, as it can cause high levels of potassium in the blood, leading to hyperkalemia. Consult your doctor if you are taking potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium-containing salt substitutes or other drugs that increase potassium levels.
Yes, Telmisartan+amlodipine can make you feel dizzy. Dizziness usually occurs when you suddenly stand up from a lying or sitting position. Try rising slowly when you change your posture to relieve dizziness. If the side effect persists longer, please seek medical help.
Telmisartan+amlodipine is generally safe to take for a long time. Remember to follow your doctor's advice/instructions.
Do not consume alcohol with Telmisartan+amlodipine as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Avoid potassium supplements with Telmisartan+amlodipine as it may lead to high potassium levels in the blood. Telmisartan+amlodipine may cause side effects like dizziness, headaches, and nausea, which can affect your ability to concentrate and drive. Hence, it is recommended not to drive until you are mentally alert.
If you miss a dose of Telmisartan+amlodipine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time.
Stopping Telmisartan+amlodipine may cause a rise in blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. Therefore, do not discontinue Telmisartan+amlodipine without consulting your doctor.
As hypertension is a chronic condition, you might need to take Telmisartan+amlodipine for a long time. To treat your condition effectively, keep taking Telmisartan+amlodipine for the prescribed duration.
You may not notice any difference even after taking Telmisartan+amlodipine as high blood pressure does not usually have any symptoms. This doesn’t mean Telmisartan+amlodipine is not working. However, consult the doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Telmisartan+amlodipine.
Telmisartan+amlodipine might cause erectile dysfunction in rare conditions. Consult the doctor if you cannot get or maintain an erection.
Follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption. Manage stress by doing meditation. Cut down on salt and processed foods.
Telmisartan+amlodipine should be swallowed as a whole with water; do not crush or chew it.
Telmisartan+amlodipine may cause side effects such as primarily peripheral oedema (swelling in legs and arms), a common cold, backache, diarrhoea, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, rashes, and weakness. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
It is advised to consult the doctor before taking other medicines with Telmisartan+amlodipine to prevent any interactions or undesirable side effects.
An overdose of Telmisartan+amlodipine may cause low blood pressure and a slow heart rate. Seek immediate medical attention in case of an overdose of Telmisartan+amlodipine.
