hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan (Micardis HCT)

Brand Names: Micardis HCT

Generic Name: hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan

• What is hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan (Micardis HCT)?
• What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan (Micardis HCT)?
• What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan (Micardis HCT)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan (Micardis HCT)?
• How should I take hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan (Micardis HCT)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Micardis HCT)?
• What happens if I overdose (Micardis HCT)?
• What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan (Micardis HCT)?
• What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan (Micardis HCT)?
• Where can I get more information (Micardis HCT)?

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Telmisartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan is a combination medicine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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HCTZ-Telmisartan 25-80 mg 681800195

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Micardis 25 mg-80 mg

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Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, this medicine can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark colored urine.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• eye pain, vision problems;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• swelling in your hands or feet, unusual weight gain;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding; or
• signs of an electrolyte imbalance--dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, confusion, feeling restless, vomiting, muscle pain or weakness, lack of energy, fast heartbeats, little or no urine, or a seizure.

Common side effects may include:

• dizziness, feeling tired;
• nausea, diarrhea;
• back pain; or
• cold or flu symptoms.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away.

You should not use this medicine if you are unable to urinate.

If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or telmisartan, if you are unable to urinate.

If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

You may also need to avoid taking hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• glaucoma;
• low or high levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood;
• asthma or allergies;
• lupus;
• diabetes; or
• an allergy to penicillin or sulfa drugs.

Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away. Hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan.

It may take up to 4 weeks for this medication to control your blood pressure. Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep each tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it. Gently push the tablet through the foil to remove it.

QUESTION

Salt and sodium are the same. See Answer

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include fast or slow heart rate, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may cause side effects.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids.

If you also take cholestyramine or colestipol, avoid taking these medications within 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• any other heart or blood pressure medications;
• digoxin;
• lithium;
• a diuretic or "water pill";
• insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
• opioid (narcotic) pain medicine;
• a sleeping pill;
• steroid medicine (ACTH);
• a barbiturate such as butabarbital, phenobarbital, or secobarbital; or
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan.

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