— Product
TELMIROS 40MG TAB
TELMISARTAN 40MG
TELMIROS 40MG TAB is a tablet of telmisartan 40 mg, an angiotensin receptor blocker. It is used for hypertension and for cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with established atherosclerotic disease or diabetes with end-organ damage.
01
Benefits
- Blocks angiotensin II at the receptor, producing vasodilation and a sustained fall in blood pressure.
- Telmisartan has the longest half-life of the angiotensin receptor blockers, giving reliable 24-hour cover including the early-morning blood pressure surge.
- Does not cause the dry cough associated with ACE inhibitors.
- Has a specific licensed indication for cardiovascular risk reduction beyond blood pressure lowering.
- Offers renal protection in hypertensive patients with diabetes or proteinuria.
- Generally well tolerated, with a side-effect profile close to placebo in most patients.
02
Side effects
Not everyone gets these. Most are mild and settle as the course finishes.
Common
- Dizziness, particularly on standing or after the first dose
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Back or muscle pain
Less common
- Rise in serum potassium
- Rise in serum creatinine
- Diarrhoea
- Cough, though much less than with ACE inhibitors
Stop and get medical help if any of these occur
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing
- Fainting, or severe persistent dizziness
- Muscle weakness or an irregular heartbeat, which may indicate high potassium
- A marked fall in urine output
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
03
Precautions
- Contraindicated in pregnancy. Drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system cause fetal injury and death in the second and third trimesters — stop immediately if pregnancy is confirmed or planned.
- Contraindicated in breastfeeding, in biliary obstruction, and in bilateral renal artery stenosis.
- Do not combine with an ACE inhibitor or aliskiren — dual blockade increases hypotension, hyperkalaemia and renal failure without added benefit.
- Check renal function and serum potassium before starting and after any dose increase.
- Use with caution alongside potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics, NSAIDs and lithium.
- Risk of first-dose hypotension in volume-depleted patients — correct dehydration before starting.
- Dose reduction is required in significant hepatic impairment.
- Do not stop abruptly without advice; hypertension is usually lifelong and asymptomatic.