About telmisartan

Telmisartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (also called an angiotensin-II receptor antagonist (A2RA)). It is used to treat pressione alta (ipertensione). Le persone con pressione alta spesso non si sentono male, ma se non trattata, la pressione alta può danneggiare il cuore e i vasi sanguigni.

Telmisartan works by blocking the effect of a natural chemical made in your bloodstream, called angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes your blood vessels to narrow, so by blocking this effect, telmisartan allows your blood vessels to relax and widen. As this happens, the pressure within your blood vessels is reduced. This also makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.

Telmisartan is also used to help prevent attacchi di cuore e ictus in people who may be at risk of these because of other medical conditions, such as diabetes.

Telmisartan is also available in a combination tablet with another medicine used to reduce high blood pressure, called hydrochlorothiazide. Taking combination tablets like this can help reduce the number of tablets you need to take each day.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking telmisartan it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Se sei incinta, stai cercando di avere un bambino o stai allattando.

• If you have kidney problems or if you have a blockage of the artery which supplies blood to your kidneys.

• If you have liver problems.

• Se hai problemi con le valvole cardiache o il muscolo cardiaco.

• Se hai livelli elevati di zucchero nel sangue (diabete).

• Se stai assumendo altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale che stai assumendo e che è disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione medica, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. The leaflet will give you more information about telmisartan and a full list of possible side-effects from taking it.

• Take telmisartan exactly as your doctor has told you to. It is usual to take one tablet a day, although there are several strengths of tablet available. The usual starting dose for high blood pressure is 20-40 mg each day, although your doctor may decide to increase your dose after a few weeks. If you are taking telmisartan to reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke, the usual dose is 80 mg each day

• Ogni volta che ritiri una prescrizione, controlla per assicurarti che sia la dose di compresse che ti aspetti.

• Try to take telmisartan at the same time of day each day. This will help you to remember to take it regularly.

• You can take telmisartan before or after meals.

• Se dimentichi di prendere una dose, prendila appena te ne ricordi. Se non te ne ricordi fino al giorno successivo, salta la dose dimenticata. Non prendere due dosi insieme per compensare una dose dimenticata.

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your progress can be monitored. Your doctor will want you to have some blood tests from time to time to check on your kidneys, and also how much potassium is in your blood.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with telmisartan. This is because some anti-inflammatory painkillers (such as aspirin and ibuprofen) may interfere with the way telmisartan works, and also may increase the risk of side-effects.

• È molto importante seguire qualsiasi consiglio dietetico e sullo stile di vita che ti è stato dato dal tuo medico, come mangiare una dieta sana, non fumare e fare esercizio fisico regolare.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about drinking while you are on telmisartan. Alcohol will increase the risk of you feeling dizzy or faint and may not be recommended for you.

• Do not use salt substitutes which contain potassium while you are taking these tablets. This is because they increase the amount of potassium in your blood and this can cause problems.

• If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking telmisartan. This is because telmisartan taken with an anaesthetic may make your blood pressure drop too low.

• Treatment with telmisartan is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. Continue to take it unless you are advised otherwise by your doctor.

Se stai assumendo anche idroclorotiazide in combinazione con questo medicinale

• Studi hanno suggerito che assumere dosi più elevate di idroclorotiazide per lunghi periodi di tempo potrebbe aumentare il rischio di alcuni tipi di cancro della pelle.

• Informa il tuo medico se sei mai stato trattato per il cancro della pelle in passato.

• Informa il tuo medico di eventuali nei nuovi o modificati o segni preoccupanti sulla tua pelle.

• Usa una crema solare sotto il sole forte. Non usare lettini abbronzanti.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. Side-effects from telmisartan are uncommon and usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

Importante: if you develop any swelling of your mouth or face, speak with your doctor or go to your local accident and emergency department straightaway. These are signs of an allergic reaction.

Se si verificano altri sintomi che ritieni possano essere dovuti a questo medicinale, parla con il tuo medico o farmacista.

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.