Telmisartán: antagonista de los receptores de angiotensina

About telmisartan

Telmisartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (also called an angiotensin-II receptor antagonist (A2RA)). It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). People with high blood pressure often do not feel unwell but, if left untreated, high blood pressure can harm the heart and damage blood vessels.

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 heart attacks and strokes 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.

Before taking telmisartan

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:

• Si está embarazada, esperando un bebé o en período de lactancia.

• 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.

• Si tiene algún problema en las válvulas o el músculo cardíacos.

• Si tiene niveles elevados de azúcar en sangre (diabetes).

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

How to take telmisartan

• 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

• Each time you collect a prescription, check to make sure it is the strength of tablet that you are expecting.

• 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.

• Si olvida tomar una dosis, tómela en cuanto se acuerde. Si no se acuerda hasta el día siguiente, sáltese la dosis olvidada. No tome dos dosis juntas para compensar la dosis olvidada.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• 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.

• Es muy importante que siga los consejos dietéticos y de estilo de vida que le haya dado su médico, como seguir una dieta sana, no fumar y hacer ejercicio con regularidad.

• 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.

Si también está tomando hidroclorotiazida en combinación con este medicamento

• Los estudios han sugerido que tomar dosis más altas de hidroclorotiazida durante periodos prolongados puede aumentar el riesgo de padecer ciertos cánceres de piel.

• Informe a su médico si alguna vez ha recibido tratamiento para el cáncer de piel.

• Informe a su médico de cualquier lunar nuevo o modificado o de cualquier marca preocupante en su piel.

• Utilice un protector solar cuando la luz solar sea intensa. No utilice camas solares.

Can telmisartan cause problems?

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.

Important: 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.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que considere que puede deberse a este medicamento, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

How to store telmisartan

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos