Composition: Telmisartan 40mg and 80mg.
Presentation: Tablets.
Action: Specific angiotensin II receptor (type AT1) antagonist. Indications: Treatment of essential hypertension.
Contraindications: Pregnancy and lactation, biliary obstructive disorders, severe hepatic and renal impairment. Hypersensitivity to telmisartan or any of the excipients.
Dosage and administration: Adults, recommended dose 40mg once daily. Some patients may benefit at a daily dose of 20mg. Increase to a maximum of 80mg daily in cases where target blood pressure is not achieved. Maximum hypertensive effect is generally attained between four to eight weeks after the start of treatment. May be used in combination with thiazide-type diuretics.
Children, safety and efficacy not established in those under 18 years.
Elderly, no dosing adjustment necessary.
Renal impairment, no adjustment required for mild to moderate renal impairment.
Hepatic impairment, mild to moderate, the dose should not exceed 40mg once daily.
Overdosage: No data available in humans. If symptomatic hypotension occurs, supportive treatment should be instituted. Telmisartan is not removed by haemodialysis.
Precautions: See SPC.
Drug interactions: Telmisartan may increase the hypotensive effect of other antihypertensive agents. Other interactions of clinical significance have not been identified. Careful monitoring of serum lithium levels is recommended during concomitant use.
Side effects: Usually mild and transient and have only infrequently required discontinuation of therapy. The overall incidence in placebo-controlled trials were usually comparable to placebo. Gastrointestinal adverse events apparently occured more frequently than with placebo.
Net price: 28 tablets 40mg £12.60, 80mg £15.75.
Supplier: Boehringer Ingelheim, Ellesfield Avenue, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 8YS (tel 01344 424600).
Legal class: POM.