What Is Amlodipine-telmisartan?
Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Telmisartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
Amlodipine and telmisartan is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Amlodipine and telmisartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Amlodipine and telmisartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control.
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc) or telmisartan (Micardis).
Before you use amlodipine and telmisartan, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and allergies. Also make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. In some cases, you may not be able to use amlodipine and telmisartan, or you may need a dose adjustment or special precautions.
Certain other drugs may interact with amlodipine and telmisartan or should not be used at the same time. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.
Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.
In rare cases, amlodipine and telmisartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc) or telmisartan (Micardis).
If you have diabetes or kidney disease, you may not be able to take amlodipine and telmisartan if you are also taking a blood pressure medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, or Valturna).
To make sure amlodipine and telmisartan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
- liver disease;
- heart disease;
- an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood); or
- if you are on a low-salt diet.
It is not known whether amlodipine and telmisartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using this medication.
Amlodipine-telmisartan Side Effects
In rare cases, amlodipine and telmisartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- feeling like you might pass out;
- swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain;
- new or worsened chest pain;
- pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
- dizziness, drowsiness;
- tired feeling;
- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
- back pain; or
- nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain.
Amlodipine-telmisartan Interactions
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking amlodipine and telmisartan, unless your doctor has told you to.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with amlodipine and telmisartan, especially:
- digoxin;
- a diuretic or "water pill";
- lithium;
- rifabutin, rifapentine, rifampin;
- simvastatin;
- St. John's wort;
- an ACE inhibitor--benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, trandolapril;
- a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others;
- HIV medication--efavirenz or nevirapine; or
- seizure medication--carbamazepine, fosphenytoin, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone.
Amlodipine-telmisartan Dosage
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.
You may take this medication with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day.
You may have very low blood pressure while taking this medication. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. You may also need frequent blood tests.
Keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep each tablet in the blister pack until you are ready to take one.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
