Telmigen 40 mg

• Helps lower persistently high blood pressure

• Provides once-daily blood pressure control

• Reduces resistance inside the blood vessels

• Decreases unnecessary strain on the heart

• Helps lower the risk of complications caused by uncontrolled hypertension

• Can be used alone or with another blood pressure medicine

• Can be taken with or without food

• Does not work by increasing urine production

The body produces a substance called angiotensin II, which causes blood vessels to become narrow and encourages the body to retain salt and water. These actions can increase blood pressure.

Telmisartan blocks angiotensin II from acting on specific receptors in the blood vessels. Once this action is blocked, the vessels relax and widen. Blood can then move through them with less resistance, allowing blood pressure to fall and reducing the workload placed on the heart. Telmisartan controls blood pressure without working as a diuretic and generally does not reduce the pulse rate.

For adult hypertension, 40 mg once daily is the usual starting dose and a commonly effective maintenance dose of telmisartan. Telmigen 40 mg provides this dose in one tablet.

Depending on the blood pressure response, telmisartan doses generally range from 20 mg to 80 mg once daily. The tablet can be taken with or without food and should be taken at approximately the same time every day.

Most of the blood pressure-lowering effect becomes noticeable within two weeks, while the full response is generally assessed after around four weeks. Do not increase the dose or take more than one Telmigen 40 mg tablet daily unless the treatment plan has been changed by the prescriber.

Common Side Effects: Common side effects of Telmigen 40 mg include dizziness, light-headedness, diarrhoea, back pain, headache and cold or sinus symptoms. Some people can feel weak or unsteady when standing up, particularly after beginning treatment or when dehydrated. These effects should be reported if they continue, become troublesome or interfere with normal activities.

Serious Side Effects: Serious reactions require prompt medical attention. Warning signs include swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat; difficulty breathing; fainting; a severe fall in blood pressure; reduced urination; unusual swelling; marked muscle weakness; or an irregular heartbeat. These symptoms can indicate a serious allergic reaction, kidney dysfunction or an excessive rise in blood potassium.

Telmigen 40 mg is not suitable for everyone. It should be avoided by:

• People allergic to telmisartan

• Pregnant women

• Women planning a pregnancy

• People with severe liver impairment

• People with blocked bile ducts

• Diabetic patients taking aliskiren

• Kidney-impaired patients taking aliskiren

• Breastfeeding women unless an alternative has been assessed

• Children unless prescribed by a specialist

Anyone who becomes pregnant while taking telmisartan should seek medical advice promptly because medicines acting on the renin–angiotensin system can seriously harm the developing baby.

Tell the healthcare provider about all medicines, supplements and salt substitutes being used.

Important interactions include:

• Aliskiren

• ACE inhibitors

• Other ARB medicines

• Potassium supplements

• Potassium-containing salt substitutes

• Potassium-sparing diuretics

• Lithium

• Digoxin

• NSAID painkillers

• Other blood pressure medicines

Potassium supplements and potassium-sparing medicines can raise blood potassium to unsafe levels. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen can reduce the blood pressure-lowering effect of telmisartan and increase the risk of kidney problems. Lithium and digoxin may require blood-level monitoring when used with telmisartan.

• Keep Telmigen 40 mg in its original packaging.

• Store it in a cool and dry place.

• Keep the tablets below 30°C.

• Protect them from heat, moisture and direct sunlight.

• Do not remove a tablet until it is required.

• Keep the medicine away from children and pets.

• Do not use damaged or discoloured tablets.

• Do not use the medicine after its expiry date.