Drug Detail:Amlodipine and telmisartan (Amlodipine and telmisartan [ am-loe-de-peen-and-tel-me-sar-tan ])
Generic Name: Telmisartan and Amlodipine [ tel-mi-SAR-tan-& am-LOE-di-peen ]
Drug Class: Angiotensin II inhibitors with calcium channel blockers
Warning
- Do not take if you are pregnant. Use during pregnancy may cause birth defects or loss of the unborn baby. If you get pregnant or plan on getting pregnant while taking telmisartan and amlodipine, call your doctor right away.
Uses of Telmisartan and Amlodipine:
- It is used to treat high blood pressure.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Telmisartan and Amlodipine?
- If you have an allergy to telmisartan, amlodipine, or any other part of telmisartan and amlodipine.
- If you are allergic to telmisartan and amlodipine; any part of telmisartan and amlodipine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have liver disease.
- If you are dehydrated or have electrolyte problems.
- If you are taking or have recently taken any of these drugs: Benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril.
- If you are taking a drug that has aliskiren in it and you also have diabetes or kidney problems.
- If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take telmisartan and amlodipine.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with telmisartan and amlodipine.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take telmisartan and amlodipine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
Related/similar drugs
amlodipine, lisinopril, metoprolol, losartan, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazideWhat are some things I need to know or do while I take Telmisartan and Amlodipine?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take telmisartan and amlodipine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how telmisartan and amlodipine affects you.
- To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
- Check your blood pressure as you have been told.
- Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- It is rare, but worse chest pain and heart attack can happen after telmisartan and amlodipine is first started or after the dose is raised. The risk may be greater in people who have very bad heart blood vessel disease. Talk with the doctor.
- It may take a few weeks to see the full effect.
- Talk with your doctor before using OTC products that may raise blood pressure. These include cough or cold drugs, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and some natural products or aids.
- If you are taking a salt substitute that has potassium in it, a potassium-sparing diuretic, or a potassium product, talk with your doctor.
- If you are on a low-salt or salt-free diet, talk with your doctor.
- Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
- Be careful in hot weather or while being active. Drink lots of fluids to stop fluid loss.
- Tell your doctor if you have too much sweat, fluid loss, throwing up, or loose stools. This may lead to low blood pressure.
- If you are 65 or older, use telmisartan and amlodipine with care. You could have more side effects.
How is this medicine (Telmisartan and Amlodipine) best taken?
Use telmisartan and amlodipine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Take with or without food.
- Some brands of telmisartan and amlodipine come in a blister pack. If telmisartan and amlodipine comes in a blister pack, take out the tablet right before use. Peel back the foil on the blister. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Doing so may cause the tablet to break.
- Keep taking telmisartan and amlodipine as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
- Take telmisartan and amlodipine at the same time of day.
- Drink lots of noncaffeine liquids unless told to drink less liquid by your doctor.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
- Signs of a high potassium level like a heartbeat that does not feel normal; change in thinking clearly and with logic; feeling weak, lightheaded, or dizzy; feel like passing out; numbness or tingling; or shortness of breath.
- Dizziness or passing out.
- Chest pain that is new or worse.
- A fast heartbeat.
- A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
- Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
- Stiff muscles, shakiness, or muscle movements that are not normal.
- Rarely, a very bad reaction called angioedema has happened with telmisartan and amlodipine. Sometimes, this has been deadly. Get medical help right away if you have signs like swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing or swallowing; or unusual hoarseness.
What are some other side effects of Telmisartan and Amlodipine?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Belly pain.
- Diarrhea.
- Feeling sleepy.
- Flushing.
- Back pain.
- Upset stomach.
- Feeling tired or weak.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Telmisartan and Amlodipine?
- Store in the original container at room temperature.
- Protect from light.
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about telmisartan and amlodipine, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.