Telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide

Telmisartan/hydrocholorothiazide is a prescription medication used to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure.

It is a single product containing 2 medications: Telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide.

Telmisartan belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), while hydrochlorothiazide belongs to a group of drugs called diuretics, or "water pills." Telmisartan blocks a natural substance that narrows blood vessels, which the heart to pump more efficiently. Hydrochlorothiazide helps the body get rid of excess fluid. 

This medication comes in tablet form, and is usually taken once a day in the morning, with or without food. 

Common side effects of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide include frequent urination, sinus pain and congestion, and dizziness.

Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide affects you.

Telmisartan & hydrochlorothiazide is part of the drug class:

• Angiotensin II antagonists and diuretics

Serious side effects have been reported with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide. See the “Drug Precautions” section.

Common side effects of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide include the following:

• sinus pain and congestion
• back pain
• diarrhea
• frequent urination (having to pee often)
• dizziness

This is not a complete list of side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• aliskiren (Tekturna)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• other medicines for high blood pressure
• NSAIDs (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, others)
• corticosteroids (such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, others)
• angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) blockers such as benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril
• angiotensin II receptor blockers such as losartan (Cozaar),  olmesartan (Benicar), valsartan (Diovan)

This is not a complete list of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide drug interactions.  Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide, salt substitutes containing potassium should be avoided.

Before taking telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to telmisartan, hydrochlorothiazide or to any of its ingredients
• have liver problems
• have kidney problems
• have heart problems
• have diabetes
• have gout
• have lupus 
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide should NOT be used during pregnancy. Telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. 

• Store telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide at room temperature between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C), away from light and excess moisture.
• Do not remove telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide tablets from blisters until right before you take them.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.