Telmisartan
Telmisartan, sold here as Micardis tablets in 20mg, 40mg and 80mg, is an angiotensin II receptor blocker that brings high blood pressure down and eases the strain on the heart.
How telmisartan brings pressure down
Angiotensin II is one of the body's own signals for narrowing an artery. Telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), occupies the receptor that signal would use, so the vessel wall stays slack and the pressure inside eases. It treats high blood pressure (hypertension) and, for people who cannot take an ACE inhibitor, lowers the odds of a heart attack or stroke. Raised pressure rarely gives any warning, so a monitor tells you more than your own sense of things. It belongs with the other heart and blood pressure medicines.
Taking your daily tablet
One tablet a day is the whole routine, so settle on an hour that fits your life and stay with it. Eating beforehand or afterwards makes little difference to how much the body absorbs, so breakfast, dinner or an empty stomach all work.
Micardis and the strengths it comes in
Micardis is the brand-name version of telmisartan on sale here, in 20mg, 40mg and 80mg tablets, and the same three strengths are also sold under the plain ingredient name, Telmisartan. Many courses open in the middle of that range, with 80mg, the top strength, kept for readings that stay high. Either box holds the same ingredient; the brand name is what differs.
Side effects to look out for
Many people notice nothing. When something does appear it is usually loose stools, a blocked nose, an aching back or a flat, tired feeling, along with a spell of light-headedness on getting up, most often in the opening days. The persistent cough that ACE inhibitors are known for is uncommon in this family. Potassium levels and kidney function can shift, especially when other medicines that act on the kidneys are in the mix. If the face, tongue or throat swells, or breathing becomes difficult, that is an emergency.
Alcohol, painkillers and other medicines
Drink lightly. Alcohol deepens the drop in pressure and leaves you more prone to dizziness. Ibuprofen, naproxen and their relatives are best kept occasional: used regularly, they nudge pressure back up and put a strain on the kidneys. Paracetamol carries none of that. Potassium supplements and potassium-sparing water tablets such as spironolactone can send potassium too high, and other blood pressure medicines stack with telmisartan's effect. It is not used in pregnancy, because it can harm the baby. Keep the pack dry and away from strong heat.
Sources
- Telmisartan: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus / U.S. National Library of Medicine
- High blood pressure - NHS — NHS
Can I order Telmisartan online in Hong Kong?
Telmisartan can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The range covers generic Micardis tablets, also sold as Telmisartan tablets, in 20mg, 40mg and 80mg. A parcel that does not arrive within the delivery window, or arrives damaged, is sent again free, and if that is not possible the order is refunded.
How much does Telmisartan cost?
It depends on the product, strength and pack size. The telmisartan product listed here shows its current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Do I need a prescription to order Telmisartan?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order telmisartan. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What are the other names for telmisartan?
Micardis is a brand name of telmisartan, which is also sold as Telday, Telista, Telma, Telmikind and Telvas. Here, telmisartan can be bought online as generic Micardis. These are generics, not the original brand.
How long does telmisartan take to work?
Readings usually begin to fall within the first few days, and the full benefit builds over the first few weeks of daily dosing. Your monitor readings are the only real sign that it is doing its job, since high blood pressure gives no warning of its own.
Can I drink alcohol with telmisartan?
A glass or two is unlikely to cause trouble, but a heavy evening can leave you dizzy or faint, since alcohol adds its own widening effect to the arteries. Standing up quickly afterwards is when it shows most.
What is the difference between Micardis and telmisartan?
The medicine inside is the same one: Micardis is the brand name, while the other packs are labelled by the ingredient, telmisartan. Both are sold as 20mg, 40mg and 80mg tablets. What changes is the name on the box and the firm that makes them.
Can I take ibuprofen with telmisartan?
Now and then it is unlikely to be a problem, but regular use works against the tablet. Painkillers of the ibuprofen and naproxen type can push pressure back up and are hard on the kidneys when taken day after day alongside telmisartan. Paracetamol is the better choice for an everyday ache.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
A forgotten tablet can still be taken that day if there are hours to go before the next one is due. When the next dose is close, let the missed one go and pick up your normal routine at the usual time. Never take two tablets to make up for it.