Brand Name

Micardis { Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.}

Generic Name

telmisartan, pronounced TEL-mi-SAR-tan

 

What is Micardis?

Micardis is a medication to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure in adults. You may be prescribed Micardis to help keep your blood vessels from narrowing, which helps to lower your blood pressure and improve your blood flow. Micardis may be used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death from heart problems in people who are at least 55 years old with risk factors and have serious heart disorders.

Micardis may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

 

Key Facts About Micardis

Micardis is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, which means that it helps to keep your blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers your blood pressure and improves your blood flow. You may be prescribed Micardis alongside other blood pressure medications.

PREGNANCY/BREASTFEEDING: You should not use Micardis if you are pregnant as Micardis may cause injury or death to an unborn baby if taken during your second or third trimester. If you become pregnant while taking Micardis you should stop taking this medication and contact your doctor right away. You should be sure to use effective birth control while taking Micardis. If you plan to become pregnant talk with your doctor about options for controlling blood pressure before you discontinue birth control methods.

You should not breast-feed while taking Micardis, as we do not yet know if this medication can pass into breast milk.

While you are taking Micardis you should not drink alcohol. Because drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure you may experience an increase in certain side effects of Micardis if you drink while taking it.

Unless your doctor has advised you to do so, you should not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Micardis

Continue to use Micardis as your doctor has directed, and be sure to get your blood pressure checked regularly.

Your blood pressure may take 2 to 4 weeks of regular use of Micardis before it is completely under control. You should continue using this medicine exactly as your doctor has directed you to. Tell your doctor if your blood pressure has not improved after 4 weeks of treatment or if it is changing significantly from high levels to low levels.

Micardis, in rare cases, can cause a condition that causes a breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, which leads to kidney failure. This is known as Rhabdomyolysis. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, weakness or tenderness, If you have experienced a decrease in urine production or if your urine is a dark, red or cola color, especially if you also have a fever and extreme tiredness. This rare condition may be more likely to occur if you are an older adult, if you have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism.

 

Before You Take Micardis

If you are allergic to losartan you should not take Micardis.

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding you should not take Micardis.

You should inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or congestive heart failure before taking Micardis.

If you suffer from dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance you should tell your doctor before starting treatment with Micardis.

Let your doctor know if you drink 2 or more alcoholic beverages daily. Alcohol can increase the risk of serious side effects if you are taking Micardis.

Until you know how you will react to Micardis you should avoid getting up too fast from a lying or sitting position, as you may experience dizziness. Be sure to get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall, especially when you first begin your treatment with Micardis.

You need to be aware that certain conditions can cause low blood pressure, and make the effects of Micardis more pronounced for you. Tell your doctor right away if you experience diarrhea, heart disease, intense sweating, vomiting, dialysis, or if you are on a low salt diet or taking diuretics (water pills).

 

Micardis Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin)
• diuretics or water pills
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic)
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate)
• meloxicam (Mobic)
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Micardis. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

 

Directions for Taking Micardis

You should take Micardis exactly your doctor has told you to. It is important that you do not take Micardis in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

Micardis should be taken at the same time every day.

Micardis can be taken with or without food.

You may need to take Micardis on a long-term basis for the treatment of high blood pressure. It is important that you follow up with your doctor on a regular basis to be sure that Micardis is helping your condition and not causing you to have any adverse or harmful effects.

Micardis should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Micardis you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose is less than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

 

Micardis Side Effects

Seek immediate emergency medical assistance if you experience any of the following adverse effects while using Micardis:

• allergic reaction including hives, swelling in your face, lips, throat or tongue and trouble breathing
• a breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, which leads to kidney failure report:

• unexplained muscle pain, weakness or tenderness,
• a decrease in urine production or if your urine is a dark, red or cola color,
• especially if you also have a fever and extreme tiredness. 

Contact your physician immediately if you experience:

• chest pain
• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, even with mild exertion
• high potassium symptoms, such as a slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, or a tingly feeling
• faint feeling or lightheadedness with pale skin
• swelling in your hands and feet
• urinary difficulties including pain or burning, urinating less than normal or not at all

Less serious side effects of Micardis may include:

• back pain
• cough
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• exhaustion
• headache
• sinus pain and stuffy nose
• skin rash that is mild
• stomach pain
• weakness

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Micardis. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

 

Micardis Description and Dosing

Micardis is available as a tablets in dosages of 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg.

The 20 mg tablet is white or off-white, round, uncoated and imprinted with 50H on one side and the BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM logo on the other side.

The 40 mg tablet is white or off-white, oblong, uncoated and imprinted with 51H on one side and the BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM logo on the other side.

The 80 mg tablet is white or off-white, oblong, uncoated and imprinted with 52H on one side and the BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM logo on the other side.

The usual starting dose of Micardis tablets is 40 mg once a day. Your doctor will tell you what dose of Micardis is right for you. You should not attempt to alter or change your dose of Micardis without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Micardis you should seek emergency help immediately.

 

Ingredients in Micardis

Micardis contains the active ingredient telmisartan. Inactive ingredients include sodium hydroxide, meglumine, povidone, sorbitol, and magnesium stearate.

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