Telmisartan: Uses, How It Works, Medicines
Also in: हिन्दी தமிழ் मराठी తెలుగు ಕನ್ನಡ বাংলা ગુજરાતી മലയാളം ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
Telmisartan is a prescription medicine that lowers blood pressure. It is used to treat high blood pressure and, in some people with heart or blood vessel disease or diabetes with organ damage, to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. It belongs to the angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). It must not be taken in pregnancy and should only be started or stopped on a doctor's advice.
Also known as: Telmisartan tablet, Telmisartan 40 mg, Telmisartan 20 mg, Telmisartan 80 mg, Micardis, Telma
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
How does Telmisartan work?
Telmisartan blocks the receptor that the hormone angiotensin II uses to narrow blood vessels and make the body hold on to salt and water. With that signal blocked, vessels relax and blood pressure falls.
How to take Telmisartan
Follow the label or your doctor's advice. Telmisartan is usually taken once a day, with or without food. Your doctor decides the dose and how long you need it.
Side effects of Telmisartan
Most people take telmisartan without serious problems. Some side effects are common and mild, but a few need medical help.
Uncommon or mild
- Dizziness, especially when standing up quickly
- Back pain or muscle pain
- Sore throat, sinus or chest infections
- Diarrhoea or stomach pain
- Urinary tract infection
Rare but serious: get medical help
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing (a severe allergic reaction). Get medical help immediately
- Fainting, or very low blood pressure with severe dizziness
- A high potassium level, which can cause weakness, tiredness or an irregular heartbeat
- Passing much less urine than usual, or sudden swelling of the legs and feet
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or severe stomach pain
Who should be careful
Some people need to check with a doctor before taking telmisartan, or need extra care while taking it.
When the label says not to use it
- Allergy to telmisartan or any ingredient of the tablet
- Pregnancy (it can seriously harm the unborn baby)
- Severe liver disease or blocked bile ducts
- Diabetes or kidney disease together with aliskiren
- Pregnancy: do not take it if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, because it can seriously harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor straight away if you become pregnant
- Breastfeeding: it is not recommended; ask your doctor
- Kidney disease or a narrowing of the kidney arteries
- Liver disease or blocked bile ducts
- Dehydration from vomiting, diarrhoea or heavy sweating: blood pressure can fall too far
- High potassium levels, or taking potassium supplements or salt substitutes
- Diabetes if you also take aliskiren
Medicines and things that interact with Telmisartan
Telmisartan can change how other medicines work, and some medicines change its effect. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take, including painkillers bought over the counter.
- Other blood pressure medicines and water tablets (diuretics): blood pressure may fall too low
- ACE inhibitors such as ramipril, and aliskiren: higher risk of kidney problems and high potassium
- Potassium supplements, salt substitutes and potassium-sparing water tablets: potassium can become too high
- NSAID painkillers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac: they can weaken its effect and strain the kidneys
- Lithium: its blood level can rise to a harmful level
- Digoxin: its blood level can rise
If someone takes too much
Taking one extra tablet by mistake is unlikely to be serious, but larger amounts can cause very low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting and a fast or slow heartbeat. If someone has taken much more than prescribed, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital and take the medicine pack with you.
Regulatory status in India
Approved for sale in India as a prescription medicine; telmisartan is listed in Schedule H of the Drugs Rules 1945. Single-ingredient telmisartan is not on the CDSCO list of medicines banned under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Fixed-dose combinations that contain telmisartan with other medicines may be treated differently, so check the ingredient list on the pack.
Type of medicine
Telmisartan belongs to this type of medicine.
Medicines that contain Telmisartan
These medicines sold in India contain Telmisartan. They are listed A to Z, not ranked.
- Telma 40 · 40 mg tablet
What is Telmisartan used for?
Medicines that contain Telmisartan are used for these conditions.
Other medicines of the same type
These active ingredients are of the same type as Telmisartan.
Common questions
What is telmisartan used for?
Telmisartan is a prescription medicine used to treat high blood pressure. In some people with heart or blood vessel disease, or type 2 diabetes with organ damage, it is also used to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. A doctor decides whether it suits you.
Is telmisartan safe in pregnancy?
No. Telmisartan can seriously harm an unborn baby. If you are pregnant, may become pregnant or are planning a baby, tell your doctor right away. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without speaking to your doctor first.
Is telmisartan an ACE inhibitor?
No. It is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). It acts on the same hormone system as ACE inhibitors such as ramipril, but at a different step. A dry cough is common with ACE inhibitors and uncommon with telmisartan.
Can I stop telmisartan if my blood pressure is normal?
Do not stop on your own. Blood pressure is normal because the medicine is working, and it can rise again if you stop. Talk to your doctor, who decides whether any change is suitable.
Does telmisartan affect potassium and the kidneys?
It can raise potassium and, in some people, affect kidney function, so doctors may order blood tests. Dehydration from vomiting or diarrhoea can add to this. Tell your doctor if you are ill and unable to drink, and avoid potassium supplements unless advised.
Can I take telmisartan with painkillers?
NSAID painkillers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac can weaken its effect and strain the kidneys. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using them, and tell every doctor that you take telmisartan.
What is the difference between telmisartan and losartan?
Both are ARBs and work in the same way. They are different molecules with different strengths and dosing. One should not be swapped for the other without a doctor's advice.
Is Telma 40 the same as telmisartan?
Telma 40 is a brand name. The tablet contains telmisartan, 40 mg per tablet. Check the ingredient list and strength on the pack, and ask your doctor before switching to another product.
Sources
- Micardis (telmisartan): EPAR medicine overview. European Medicines Agency
- Telmisartan tablets USP: prescribing information (Mylan, label revised 9/2021). DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine
- ATC/DDD Index: C09CA07 Telmisartan. WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology
- List of drugs prohibited for manufacture and sale through gazette notifications under section 26A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
- The Drugs Rules, 1945 (consolidated, September 2024 edition), Schedule H: prescription drugs. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
- Losartan: a medicine for high blood pressure. NHS (UK)