Telsartan-40 (Telmisartan 40mg) 15s

Telsartan-40 general information

What is Telsartan-40 used for?

Telsartan tablets 40mg are used to treat essential hypertension, which is high blood pressure when at rest, with no obvious and identifiable cause.  Although there are usually no other symptoms, high blood pressure increases risk of cardiovascular disease and if uncontrolled can cause kidney damage, stroke, heart attack and blindness.  Telsartan-40 lowers blood pressure to normal resting levels, increasing life expectancy and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and end organ damage.  Telsartan-40 can be used alone as monotherapy or in combination with other antihypertensive medication such as diuretics (water tablets). 

How does Telsartan-40 work?

Telsartan tablets 40mg contain telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), which acts by blocking the binding of the hormone angiotensin II to its receptor in a variety of tissues, including vascular smooth muscle (blood vessel walls) and kidney cells.  Angiotensin II is a naturally produced hormone that has several actions involved in regulating blood pressure, which is the force needed to pump blood around the body; as well as regulating fluid balance, the amount of water removed from the blood by the kidneys.  Angiotensin II causes salt (sodium and potassium) and water retention by the kidneys, and causes blood vessels to constrict (narrow); this increases blood volume while at the same time reducing blood vessel volume, which increases blood pressure.  Telmisartan in Telsartan-40 blocks the binding of Angiotensin II to its receptor, preventing its pressor actions (blood pressure increasing) resulting in dilation (widening) of blood vessel and increased amount of salt and water removed by the kidneys into the urine, which lowers blood pressure.  Reducing blood pressure reduces workload on the heart, which reduces risk of cardiovascular disease.  Blood pressure is reduced within 2 hours of taking Telsartan-40 and lasts for 24hours.  Maximum blood pressure reduction is achieved within 4 weeks. 

What does Telsartan-40 contain?

Telsartan tablets 40mg contain the active ingredient telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that is used to treat hypertension and heart failure. 

Treating hypertension (high blood pressure) with Telsartan-40

Telsartan tablets 40mg contain telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that is used to treat essential hypertension, which is high blood pressure when at rest, with no obvious and identifiable cause.  Although there are usually no other symptoms, high blood pressure increases risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attack and blindness.  Telmisartan in Telsartan-40 blocks the action of angiotensin II, a naturally produced hormone that has several actions involved in regulating blood pressure, including constriction (narrowing) of blood vessel walls and salt and water retention in the kidneys.  Telsartan in Telsartan tablets 40mg works by preventing the binding of angiotensin II to its receptor, which results in dilation (widening) of blood vessel and increases the amount of salt and water removed by the kidneys into the urine.  This in turn increases urine volume, decreases blood volume and increases blood vessel volume; all of which reduce the force needed for the heart to pump blood around the body, which lowers blood pressure.  

What are the side effects of Telsartan-40?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Telsartan-40 include dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, upper respiratory tract infections, like sinusitis or pharyngitis, cough, increased blood potassium levels.

When should Telsartan-40 not be used?

You should not use Telsartan-40 if you:

• are allergic to telmisartan or any ingredients in Telsartan
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding as telmisartan can harm the developing foetus
• have kidney or liver disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Telsartan including: other antihypertensives like ACE inhibitors, diuretics like furosemide, potassium-sparing diuretics like spironolactone, potassium tablets or potassium-containing salt substitutes, lithium for mood swings, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID).
• are taking Co-trimoxazole (Sulphamexthoxazole/Trimethoprim) [Trusul/Bactrim DS]

What medications interact with Telsartan-40?

Several medications interact with Telsartan-40 and should either not be taken while you are taking Telsartan-40 or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that affect Telsartan: non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID), other antihypertensives like ACE inhibitors, diuretics like furosemide, potassium-sparing diuretics like spironolactone, potassium tablets or potassium-containing salt substitutes
• Drugs that are affected by Telsartan: lithium for mood swings

How should Telsartan-40 be taken?

You should take your Telsartan tablets 40mg swallowed whole with a glass of water, with or without food once a day, at the same time each day.  The dose you take depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation.  Your blood pressure will be reduced within 2 hours of taking Telsartan-40 but It may take up to 4 weeks for Telsartan-40 to become fully effective in reducing your blood pressure.  Telsartan-40 will help control your blood pressure but will not cure it, so you should continue to take your Telsartan tablets 40mg for as long as your doctor recommends, to keep your blood pressure down to normal levels.  

How long should you take Telsartan-40?

Telsartan tablets 40 will help control your blood pressure but will not cure it, so you should continue to take your Telsartan tablets 40 for as long as your doctor recommends, to keep your blood pressure down to normal levels. 

Missed dose of Telsartan-40

If you miss a dose of Telsartan-40 take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Telsartan-40 be stored?

You should store your Telsartan-40 below 25°C in a cool dry place.