Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Telmisartan. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Telmisartan with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Telmisartan. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal pain
• anxiety
• back or leg pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• difficulty sleeping
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• Eczema or skin rash
• gas
• headache
• heartburn
• joint pain
• muscle cramps or spasms
• nausea
• nervousness
• rash
• tiredness
• upper respiratory tract infection (such as colds or sinus infections)
• upset stomach
• vomiting

Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• chest pain
• dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness
• symptoms of low blood sugar (e.g., cold sweat, cool pale skin, headache, fast heartbeat, weakness)
• shortness of breath
• signs of Depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
• signs of kidney problems (e.g., decreased urination, nausea, vomiting, swelling of the feet and ankles)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
• signs of too much potassium in the body (e.g., irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, generally feeling unwell)
• swelling of ankles, feet, or hands
• symptoms of a urinary tract infection (e.g., pain when urinating, urinating more often than usual, low back or flank pain)
• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• vision changes

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious blood infection (e.g., chills, confusion, Fever or low body temperature, shakiness, irregular heartbeat)
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; Hives; difficulty breathing)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Telmisartan.

40 mg
Each white, oblong, uncoated tablet, engraved with "rph" on one side and "T72" on the other side, contains 40 mg telmisartan. Nonmedicinal ingredients: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, meglumine, povidone, sodium hydroxide, and sorbitol.

Do not take telmisartan if you:

• are allergic to telmisartan or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• have experienced angioedema as a reaction to any angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breast-feeding
• have Diabetes or Kidney Disease and are taking the medication Aliskiren
• are allergic to certain sugars (fructose and/or sorbitol intolerant)

There may be an interaction between telmisartan and any of the following:

• Aldesleukin
• aliskiren
• alpha-blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Silodosin, Tamsulosin)
• amifostine
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, Lisdexamfetamine)
• angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; Captopril, Enalapril, Ramipril)
• other angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs; e.g., Candesartan, Irbesartan, Losartan)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Clozapine, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• barbiturates (e.g., secobarbital, Phenobarbital)
• beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Propranolol, Sotalol)
• brimonidine
• Celecoxib
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Clonidine
• Cyclosporine
• dexmethylphenidate
• Digoxin
• Dipyridamole
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene)
• drospirenone
• Duloxetine
• Eplerenone
• Guanfacine
• Heparin
• Hydralazine
• isosorbide dinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate
• levodopa
• lithium
• low molecular weight heparins (e.g., Dalteparin, Enoxaparin, Tinzaparin)
• methyldopa
• Methylphenidate
• Minoxidil
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• Nitroglycerin
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; e.g., Naproxen, Ibuprofen)
• Obinutuzumab
• Pentoxifylline
• phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil)
• potassium supplements or medications that increase potassium in the blood
• Rituximab
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• sodium phosphates
• Tacrolimus
• Tizanidine
• tolcapone
• Tolvaptan
• Trimethoprim
• Yohimbine

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Telmisartan. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Telmisartan.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Telmisartan may cause drowsiness or dizziness, affecting your ability to drive or operate machinery. Avoid these and other hazardous tasks until you have determined how Telmisartan affects you.

Kidney disease: Telmisartan may affect kidney function, especially for people who already have kidney problems. Taking Telmisartan along with the medication aliskiren or an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) further increases the risk of kidney problems. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, renal artery stenosis (narrowing of blood vessels in the kidneys), or Congestive Heart Failure, discuss with your doctor how Telmisartan may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Telmisartan, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of decreased kidney function, such as puffy hands, face or feet, high blood pressure, unusual muscle cramping, or darkened urine, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Liver disease: Telmisartan is removed from the body by the liver. On rare occasions, it may cause liver problems. If you have liver disease or decreased liver function, discuss with your doctor how Telmisartan may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Telmisartan, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Low Blood Pressure: If you have orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure caused by standing up, which may lead to fainting), you should be cautious while taking telmisartan, as it can worsen the condition. The first time Telmisartan is taken, it may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. This may be reduced by taking the medication in a sitting position and being careful to rise slowly to a standing position. The dizziness usually improves after the first dose, but if the medication is stopped and then started again, it may reappear. Your doctor may also adjust the dose.

Potassium levels: Telmisartan may affect potassium levels in the blood, especially when used for heart failure, or when taken with other medications called ACE inhibitors, aliskiren, or diuretics such as Spironolactone. Your doctor will monitor your potassium levels while on Telmisartan. Avoid using salt substitutes that contain potassium while you are taking telmisartan.

Pregnancy: Telmisartan may cause severe harm to an unborn fetus and should not be taken during pregnancy. If you discover you are pregnant while taking Telmisartan, stop taking the medication and tell your doctor at once.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if telmisartan passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Telmisartan, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Telmisartan have not been established for children.

Telmisartan belongs to a class of medications known as angiotensin II receptor antagonists. These medications reduce blood pressure by blocking the actions of a chemical (angiotensin II) that causes blood vessels to constrict or tighten. It is used to treat mild-to-moderate high blood pressure.

When blood pressure is allowed to remain high for a long time, the blood vessels of the heart, kidneys, and brain may become damaged. This puts a person at increased risk for Heart Attack and Stroke as well as kidney failure and blindness. Keeping blood pressure in the normal range can reduce the risk for these conditions.

Telmisartan is also used to reduce the risk of death caused by a heart attack or stroke, for people who cannot use another type of medication called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.

Telmisartan may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Telmisartan may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Telmisartan may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Telmisartan for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Telmisartan, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Telmisartan without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Telmisartan to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Telmisartan if their doctor has not prescribed it.