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

Micardis is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), sometimes in combination with other blood pressure medications.

Micardis is also used to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death from heart problems in people who are at least 55 years old with risk factors for serious heart disorders.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking telmisartan and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take up to 4 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens (such as your blood pressure readings remain high or increase).

Stop using Micardis and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Telmisartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

If you have diabetes, do not use Micardis together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).

In rare cases, Micardis 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, and dark colored urine.

You should not use Micardis if you are allergic to telmisartan.

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

You may also need to avoid taking Micardis with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

To make sure Micardis is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems;
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• liver disease; or
• if you are on a low-salt diet.

Do not use if you are pregnant, and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Telmisartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. If you plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use before and during pregnancy.

You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Dizziness or lightheadedness may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If either of these effects persists or worsens, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: fainting, symptoms of a high potassium blood level (such as muscle weakness, slow/irregular heartbeat).

Although telmisartan may be used to prevent kidney problems or treat people who have kidney problems, it may also rarely cause serious kidney problems or make them worse. Your doctor will check your kidney function while you are taking telmisartan. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of kidney problems such as a change in the amount of urine.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• if you are on a special diet, such as a low-salt diet
• kidney or liver disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to telmisartan, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. This medicine can be taken with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.