 is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure. Micardis belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) which block a natural substance that narrows blood vessels.This medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken once a day, with or without food.Common side effects of Micardis include sinus pain and congestion, back pain, and diarrhea. "Pin It")
Micardis Overview
Micardis (generic: telmisartan) is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure. Micardis belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) which block a natural substance that narrows blood vessels.
This medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken once a day, with or without food.
Common side effects of Micardis include sinus pain and congestion, back pain, and diarrhea.
Uses of Micardis
Micardis is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat high blood pressure (hypertension)
- in certain high risk people aged 55 years and older to help lower their risk of having certain cardiovascular problems such as stroke, heart attack, or death.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Side Effects of Micardis
Micardis tablets may cause serious side effects, including:
- Injury or death to your unborn baby.
- Low blood pressure (hypotension) is most likely to happen if you also:
- take water pills (diuretics)
- are on a low-salt diet
- get dialysis treatments
- have heart problems
- get sick with vomiting or diarrhea.
If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down and call your doctor right away.
- Kidney problems, which may get worse if you already have kidney disease. You may have changes in your kidney test results, and you may need a lower dose of Micardis tablets. Call your doctor if you get:
- swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands
- unexplained weight gain
- High potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia). Your doctor may check your potassium levels as needed.
Rare, serious allergic reactions may happen. Tell your doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms:
- swelling of the face, tongue, throat
- difficulty breathing
- blistering of the skin or rash
The most common side effects of Micardis tablets include:
- sinus pain and congestion (sinusitis)
- back pain
- diarrhea
These are not all the possible side effects with Micardis tablets. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Micardis Interactions
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Micardis may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Micardis works. Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
- lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
- medicines used to treat pain and arthritis, called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including COX-2 inhibitors
- ramipril (Altace) or other medicines used to treat your high blood pressure or heart problem
- water pills (diuretic)
In addition this medication shouldn't be taken in combination with other ARBs, ACE-Inhibitors, and aliskiren. If you are unsure if you are taking any of these medications, consult your physician or pharmacist.
Micardis Precautions
Do not take Micardis if you have diabetes and are currently taking aliskiren. This combination is associated serious side effects.
Micardis can cause harm or death to an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about other ways to lower your blood pressure if you plan to become pregnant. If you get pregnant while taking Micardis, tell your doctor right away.
You should not take Micardis tablets if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to the active ingredient (telmisartan) or any of the other ingredients in Micardis.
Micardis may cause drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Micardis Food Interactions
Do not use salt substitutes containing potassium without talking to your doctor. If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully.
Inform MD
Before you take Micardis tablets, tell your doctor if you:
- have liver problems
- have kidney problems
- have diabetes
- have heart problems
- have any other medical conditions
- are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.
- are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is not known if Micardis passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take Micardis tablets or breast-feed. You should not do both. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take Micardis tablets.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Micardis may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Micardis works. Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
- lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
- medicines used to treat pain and arthritis, called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including COX-2 inhibitors
- ramipril (Altace) or other medicines used to treat your high blood pressure or heart problem
- water pills (diuretic) Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
Micardis and Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not take Micardis if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while you are taking Micardis, stop taking Micardis and call your doctor right away. Micardis may cause death or serious injury to an unborn baby when taken in the last 6 months of pregnancy.
Micardis and Lactation
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Micardis is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.
Micardis Usage
- Take Micardis tablets exactly as your doctor tells you to take it.
- Your doctor will tell you how much Micardis to take and when to take it.
- Do not change your dose unless your doctor tells you to.
- Take Micardis one time each day at the same time.
- Take Micardis tablets with or without food.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time.
- If you take too much Micardis, call your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
Micardis Dosage
Take Micardis exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Your doctor will determine the best dose for you.
For the treatment of hypertension, the usual starting dose of Micardis tablets is 40 mg once a day, with or without food. Blood pressure response is dose-related over the range of 20 to 80 mg. Your doctor may prescribe other medicines to lower blood pressure in addition to Micardis.
For cardiovascular risk reduction, the recommended dose of Micardis tablets is 80 mg once a day, with or without food.
Micardis Overdose
If you take too much Micardis, call your local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.
Forms of Micardis
Micardis is available in 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg strength tablets.
Active Ingredient: telmisartan
Inactive Ingredients: sodium hydroxide, meglumine, povidone, sorbitol, and magnesium stearate
Other Requirements
Store Micardis tablets between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
Do not remove Micardis tablets from blisters until right before you take them.
Micardis FDA Warning
WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY
- When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Micardis as soon as possible.
- Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus.
