VERIFIED CONTENTAuthor: Karolina Porowska

Telmisartan - it is an organic chemical compound, angiotensin II receptor antagonist (ARB), mainly used in the treatment of high blood pressure. The drug was first introduced to the market in 1998 in the United States by Boehringer Ingleheim Pharms. Telmisartan can be purchased in prescription tablet form.

Composition

Tablet (Telmisartan Mylan, 40mg / 80mg) contains:

  • active substance telmisartan
  • and excipients: magnesium stearate, povidone (K-30), meglumine, sodium hydroxide, Mannitol (SD 200) (E 421).

Telmisartan action

The drug is a selective angiotensin II receptor blocker. Angiotensin II attaches to the active AT1 receptor, causing:

  • strong contraction of the smooth muscles of the blood vessels,
  • increase in blood pressure,
  • heart rate acceleration
  • and increasing the secretion of aldosterone by the adrenal cortex.

Telmisartan interferes with the binding of angiotensin II to angiotensin II at receptor 1 by binding reversibly and selectively to receptors on vascular smooth muscle and the adrenal gland.

Since angiotensin II is a vasoconstrictor that also stimulates the synthesis and release of aldosterone, blocking its action results in a decrease in systemic vascular resistance.

Telmisartan does not inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme, other hormone receptors or ion channels.

New research suggests that telmisartan may also have agonistic properties for PPARγ, which could potentially have beneficial metabolic effects, since PPARγ is a nuclear receptor that regulates the transcription of specific genes whose target genes are involved in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, and also in inflammatory response. This observation is currently being investigated in clinical trials.

Telmisartan use

Telmisartan found application in:

  • treating hypertension,
  • preventing cardiovascular diseases,
  • reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease in adult patients with overt atherosclerotic disease (ischemic heart disease,history of stroke or peripheral arterial disease) or with type II diabetes.

Indications for the use of telmisartan

It is recommended for the treatment of hypertension in adults and diabetic nephropathy.

Contraindications to the use of telmisartan

Do not use the drug if you are allergic to telmisartan and to any of the modules listed in the composition of the drug. It is not recommended to use the drug in disorders of bile flow and severe liver disorders.

Telmisartan dosage

The drug should be used as described in the patient information leaflet or according to specific guidelines and recommendations of a doctor or pharmacist. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Precautions

When using the drug, special care should be taken in patients with liver and kidney problems. Caution is required in patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis or if only one kidney is present.

In addition, monitoring of potassium, sodium and creatinine plasma levels is recommended while taking telmisartan. Before administering the drug, it is necessary to correct the patient's water and electrolyte abnormalities.

There is a risk of hypotension during therapy. Particular caution should be exercised in patients suffering from aortic or mitral stenosis, or obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Side effects of telmisartan

Telmisartan can primarily cause:

  • asthenia,
  • insomnia,
  • diarrhea,
  • chest pain,
  • depression,
  • shortness of breath,
  • cough,
  • cystitis,
  • headache.

Interaction with other drugs and diseases

In order to avoid undesirable ailments, inform your doctor or pharmacist about all medications that are currently or recently used, as well as about medications that the patient is going to use.

You should also inform your doctor about your current he alth condition, about any diseases or additional ailments you are struggling with.

Telmisartan should not be combined with other antihypertensive drugs, digoxin, diuretics, lithium and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Before taking the drug, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The use of telmisartan during pregnancy and while breast-feeding is generally not recommended.

Storing medicine

The drug should beStore in a suitable place that is invisible and inaccessible to children. Store in a dry, original packaging, without any special requirements regarding the storage temperature.

The drug should not be used after the expiry date stated on the package. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

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He alth