What is Micardis?

Micardis (telmisartan) is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Telmisartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Micardis is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications.

Micardis is also used to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death from heart problems in people who are at least 55 years old with risk factors for serious heart disorders.

Important information

Stop using Micardis and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Telmisartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

If you have diabetes, do not use Micardis together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).

In rare cases, Micardis 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.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Micardis if you are allergic to telmisartan.

If you have diabetes, do not use Micardis together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).

You may also need to avoid taking Micardis with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
heart disease;
if you are dehydrated; or
if you are on a low salt diet.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Micardis if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. 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.

It is not known whether telmisartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How should I take Micardis?

Take Micardis exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

You may take Micardis with or without food.

Do not crush, chew, or break a Micardis tablet. Swallow the tablet whole. Keep each tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it. Tear or cut the blister apart from the rest of the package and peel back the paper liner. Push the tablet through the foil to remove it.

It may take 2 to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medicine as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

You may have very low blood pressure while taking Micardis. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store Micardis tablets in their original package at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Micardis dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 40 mg orally once a day with or without food, assuming adequate intravascular volume
Maintenance dose: 20 mg to 80 mg orally once a day

Usual Adult Dose for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction:

Cardiovascular risk reduction in patients unable to take ACE inhibitors: 80 mg orally once a day with or without food

It is unknown whether doses lower than 80 mg are effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular morbidity or mortality.

When initiating Micardis for cardiovascular risk reduction, monitoring of blood pressure is recommended, and appropriate adjustment of medications that lower blood pressure may be necessary.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

What should I avoid while taking Micardis?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of Micardis.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Micardis, unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Micardis side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Micardis: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, Micardis 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.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
little or no urinating;
swelling, rapid weight gain; or
high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling).

Common Micardis side effects may include:

stuffy nose, sinus pain;
back pain; or
diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What other drugs will affect Micardis?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Micardis, especially:

digoxin;
lithium;
a diuretic or «water pill»;
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)–aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, or meloxicam, and others; or
ramipril or other blood pressure medicines.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with telmisartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.