Telmisartan
- When pregnancy is detected, discontinue telmisartan as soon as possible .
- Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus .

## Hypertension
- Dosing information
- Dosage must be individualized.
- Usual starting dosage:  40 mg PO qd.
- Dosage range of 20 to 80 mg .
- Most of the antihypertensive effect is apparent within 2 weeks and maximal reduction is generally attained after 4 weeks.
- When additional blood pressure reduction beyond that achieved with 80 mg telmisartan tablets is required, a diuretic may be added.
- No initial dosage adjustment is necessary for elderly patients or patients with renal impairment, including those on hemodialysis. Patients on dialysis may develop orthostatic hypotension; their blood pressure should be closely monitored.
- Telmisartan tablets may be administered with other antihypertensive agents.
- Telmisartan tablets may be administered with or without food.

## Atrial fibrillation, Recurrence; Prophylaxis - Hypertension
- Dosing information
- 80-160 mg PO qd 

## Kidney disease
- Dosing information
- 80 mg/day

## Left ventricular hypertrophy
- Dosing information
- 80 mg/day
Because of the hydrochlorothiazide component, this product is contraindicated in patients with anuria or hypersensitivity to other sulfonamide-derived drugs.
Do not co-administer aliskiren with Telmisartan HCT in patients with diabetes.

# Pregnancy Category D
Use of drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin system during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy reduces fetal renal function and increases fetal and neonatal morbidity and death. Resulting oligohydramnios can be associated with fetal lung hypoplasia and skeletal deformations. Potential neonatal adverse effects include skull hypoplasia, anuria, hypotension, renal failure, and death. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Telmisartan as soon as possible.

# Hypotension
In patients with an activated renin-angiotensin system, such as volume- or salt-depleted patients (e.g., those being treated with high doses of diuretics), symptomatic hypotension may occur after initiation of therapy with Telmisartan.  Either correct this condition prior to administration of Telmisartan, or start treatment under close medical supervision with a reduced dose.
If hypotension does occur, the patient should be placed in the supine position and, if necessary, given an intravenous infusion of normal saline.  A transient hypotensive response is not a contraindication to further treatment, which usually can be continued without difficulty once the blood pressure has stabilized.

# Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia may occur in patients on ARBs, particularly in patients with advanced renal impairment, heart failure, on renal replacement therapy, or on potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium-containing salt substitutes or other drugs that increase potassium levels. Consider periodic determinations of serum electrolytes to detect possible electrolyte imbalances, particularly in patients at risk.

# Impaired Hepatic Function
As the majority of telmisartan is eliminated by biliary excretion, patients with biliary obstructive disorders or hepatic insufficiency can be expected to have reduced clearance.  Initiate telmisartan at low doses and titrate slowly in these patients.

# Impaired Renal Function
As a consequence of inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, anticipate changes in renal function in susceptible individuals.  In patients whose renal function may depend on the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (e.g., patients with severe congestive heart failure or renal dysfunction), treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor antagonists has been associated with oliguria and/or progressive azotemia and (rarely) with acute renal failure and/or death. Similar results have been reported with Telmisartan.
In studies of ACE inhibitors in patients with unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis, increases in serum creatinine or blood urea nitrogen were observed.  There has been no long term use of Telmisartan in patients with unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis, but anticipate an effect similar to that seen with ACE inhibitors.

# Dual Blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
As a consequence of inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, changes in renal function (including acute renal failure) have been reported.   Dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (e.g., by adding an ACE-inhibitor to an angiotensin II receptor antagonist) should include close monitoring of renal function.
The ONTARGET trial enrolled 25,620 patients 55 years old with atherosclerotic disease or diabetes with end-organ damage, randomizing them to telmisartan only, ramipril only, or the combination, and followed them for a median of 56 months. Patients receiving the combination of Telmisartan and ramipril did not obtain any additional benefit compared to monotherapy, but experienced an increased incidence of renal dysfunction (e.g., acute renal failure) compared with groups receiving telmisartan alone or ramipril alone.  Concomitant use of Telmisartan and ramipril is not recommended.
Renal dysfunction upon use with ramipril.

# Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reactions rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

## Hypertension
Telmisartan has been evaluated for safety in more than 3700 patients, including 1900 treated for over 6 months and more than 1300 for over one year.  Adverse experiences have generally been mild and transient in nature and have infrequently required discontinuation of therapy.
In placebo-controlled trials involving 1041 patients treated with various doses of Telmisartan (20 to 160 mg) monotherapy for up to 12 weeks, the overall incidence of adverse events was similar to that in patients treated with placebo.
Adverse events occurring at an incidence of 1% in patients treated with Telmisartan and at a greater rate than in patients treated with placebo, irrespective of their causal association, are presented in Table 1.
In addition to the adverse events in the table, the following events occurred at a rate of 1% but were at least as frequent in the placebo group:  influenza-like symptoms, dyspepsia, myalgia, urinary tract infection, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, pain, fatigue, coughing,hypertension, chest pain, nausea, and peripheral edema. Discontinuation of therapy because of adverse events was required in 2.8% of 1455 patients treated with Telmisartan tablets and 6.1% of 380 placebo patients in placebo-controlled clinical trials.
The incidence of adverse events was not dose-related and did not correlate with gender, age, or race of patients.
The incidence of cough occurring with telmisartan in 6 placebo-controlled trials was identical to that noted for placebo-treated patients (1.6%).
In addition to those listed above, adverse events that occurred in more than 0.3% of 3500 patients treated with Telmisartan monotherapy in controlled or open trials are listed below.  It cannot be determined whether these events were causally related to Telmisartan tablets:
- Autonomic Nervous System:  impotence, increased sweating, flushing;
- Body as a Whole: allergy, fever, leg pain, malaise.
- Cardiovascular:  palpitation, dependent edema, angina pectoris, tachycardia, leg edema, abnormal ECG.
- CNS:  insomnia, somnolence, migraine, vertigo, paresthesia, involuntary muscle contractions, hypoesthesia.
- Gastrointestinal:  flatulence, constipation, gastritis, vomiting, dry mouth, hemorrhoids, gastroenteritis, enteritis, gastroesophageal reflux, toothache, non-specific gastrointestinal disorders.
- Metabolic:  gout, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus.
- Musculoskeletal:  arthritis, arthralgia, leg cramps.
- Psychiatric:  anxiety, depression, nervousness.
- Resistance Mechanism:  infection, fungal infection, abscess, otitis media.
- Respiratory:  asthma, bronchitis, rhinitis, dyspnea, epistaxis.
- Skin:  dermatitis, rash, eczema, pruritus.
- Urinary:  micturition frequency, cystitis.
- Vascular: cerebrovascular disorder.
- Special Senses:  abnormal vision, conjunctivitis, tinnitus, earache.
During initial clinical studies, a single case of angioedema was reported (among a total of 3781 patients treated).

## Clinical Laboratory Findings
In placebo-controlled clinical trials, clinically relevant changes in standard laboratory test parameters were rarely associated with administration of Telmisartan tablets.
Hemoglobin:  A greater than 2 g/dL decrease in hemoglobin was observed in 0.8% telmisartan patients compared with 0.3% placebo patients.  No patients discontinued therapy because of anemia.
Creatinine:  A 0.5 mg/dL rise or greater in creatinine was observed in 0.4% telmisartan patients compared with 0.3% placebo patients.  One telmisartan-treated patient discontinued therapy because of increases in creatinine and blood urea nitrogen.
Liver Enzymes:  Occasional elevations of liver chemistries occurred in patients treated with telmisartan; all marked elevations occurred at a higher frequency with placebo.  No telmisartan-treated patients discontinued therapy because of abnormal hepatic function.

## Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
Because common adverse reactions were well characterized in studies of telmisartan in hypertension, only adverse events leading to discontinuation and serious adverse events were recorded in subsequent studies of telmisartan for cardiovascular risk reduction. In TRANSCEND (N=5926, 4 years and 8 months of follow-up), discontinuations for adverse events were 8.4% on telmisartan and 7.6% on placebo. The only serious adverse events at least 1% more common on telmisartan than placebo were intermittent claudication (7% vs 6%) and skin ulcer (3% vs 2%).
The most frequent spontaneously reported events include: headache, dizziness, asthenia, coughing, nausea, fatigue, weakness, edema, face edema, lower limb edema, angioneurotic edema, urticaria, hypersensitivity, sweating increased, erythema, chest pain, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, blood pressure increased, hypertension aggravated, hypotension (including postural hypotension), hyperkalemia, syncope, dyspepsia, diarrhea, pain, urinary tract infection, erectile dysfunction, back pain, abdominal pain, muscle cramps (including leg cramps), myalgia, bradycardia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, uric acid increased, abnormal hepatic function/liver disorder, renal impairment including acute renal failure, anemia, increased CPK, anaphylactic reaction, tendon pain (including tendonitis, tenosynovitis), drug eruption (toxic skin eruption mostly reported as toxicoderma, rash, and urticaria), hypoglycemia (in diabetic patients), and angioedema (with fatal outcome).
Rare cases of rhabdomyolysis have been reported in patients receiving angiotensin II receptor blockers, including Telmisartan.
Digoxin: When Telmisartan was co-administered with digoxin, median increases in digoxin peak plasma concentration (49%) and in trough concentration (20%) were observed. Therefore, monitor digoxin levels when initiating, adjusting, and discontinuing telmisartan for the purpose of keeping the digoxin level within the therapeutic range.
Lithium: Reversible increases in serum lithium concentrations and toxicity have been reported during concomitant administration of lithium with angiotensin II receptor antagonists including Telmisartan. Therefore, monitor serum lithium levels during concomitant use.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents including Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors (COX-2 Inhibitors): In patients who are elderly, volume-depleted (including those on diuretic therapy), or with compromised renal function, co-administration of NSAIDs, including selective COX-2 inhibitors, with angiotensin II receptor antagonists, including telmisartan, may result in deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure. These effects are usually reversible. Monitor renal function periodically in patients receiving telmisartan and NSAID therapy.
The antihypertensive effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonists, including telmisartan may be attenuated by NSAIDs including selective COX-2 inhibitors.
Ramipril and Ramiprilat: Co-administration of telmisartan 80 mg once daily and ramipril 10 mg once daily to healthy subjects increases steady-state Cmax and AUC of ramipril 2.3- and 2.1-fold, respectively, and Cmax and AUC of ramiprilat 2.4- and 1.5-fold, respectively. In contrast, Cmaxand AUC of telmisartan decrease by 31% and 16%, respectively. When co-administering telmisartan and ramipril, the response may be greater because of the possibly additive pharmacodynamic effects of the combined drugs, and also because of the increased exposure to ramipril and ramiprilat in the presence of telmisartan. Concomitant use of Telmisartan and ramipril is not recommended.
Other Drugs: Co-administration of telmisartan did not result in a clinically significant interaction with acetaminophen, amlodipine, glyburide, simvastatin, hydrochlorothiazide, warfarin, or ibuprofen. Telmisartan is not metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system and had no effects in vitro on cytochrome P450 enzymes, except for some inhibition of CYP2C19. Telmisartan is not expected to interact with drugs that inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes; it is also not expected to interact with drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, except for possible inhibition of the metabolism of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.
In the unusual case that there is no appropriate alternative to therapy with drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin system for a particular patient, apprise the mother of the potential risk to the fetus. Perform serial ultrasound examinations to assess the intra-amniotic environment. If oligohydramnios is observed, discontinue Telmisartan, unless it is considered lifesaving for the mother. Fetal testing may be appropriate, based on the week of pregnancy. Patients and physicians should be aware, however, that oligohydramnios may not appear until after the fetus has sustained irreversible injury. Closely observe infants with histories of in utero exposure to Telmisartan for hypotension, oliguria, and hyperkalemia.
If oliguria or hypotension occurs, direct attention toward support of blood pressure and renal perfusion. Exchange transfusions or dialysis may be required as a means of reversing hypotension and/or substituting for disordered renal function.
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
Of the total number of patients receiving Telmisartan in the cardiovascular risk reduction study (ONTARGET), the percentage of patients 65 to <75 years of age was 42%; 15% of patients were 75 years old. No overall differences in effectiveness and safety were observed in these patients compared to younger patients and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.
There is also an AT2 receptor found in many tissues, but AT2 is not known to be associated with cardiovascular homeostasis. Telmisartan has much greater affinity (>3,000 fold) for the AT1 receptor than for the AT2 receptor.
Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system with ACE inhibitors, which inhibit the biosynthesis of angiotensin II from angiotensin I, is widely used in the treatment of hypertension. ACE inhibitors also inhibit the degradation of bradykinin, a reaction also catalyzed by ACE. Because telmisartan does not inhibit ACE (kininase II), it does not affect the response to bradykinin. Whether this difference has clinical relevance is not yet known. Telmisartan does not bind to or block other hormone receptors or ion channels known to be important in cardiovascular regulation.
Blockade of the angiotensin II receptor inhibits the negative regulatory feedback of angiotensin II on renin secretion, but the resulting increased plasma renin activity and angiotensin II circulating levels do not overcome the effect of telmisartan on blood pressure.
Telmisartan is chemically described as 4'--1'-yl)methyl]--2-carboxylic acid. Its empirical formula is C33H30N4O2, its molecular weight is 514.63, and its structural formula is:
Telmisartan is a white to slightly yellowish solid. It is practically insoluble in water and in the pH range of 3 to 9, sparingly soluble in strong acid (except insoluble in hydrochloric acid), and soluble in strong base.
Telmisartan is available as tablets for oral administration, containing 20 mg, 40 mg or 80 mg of telmisartan. The tablets contain the following inactive ingredients: sodium hydroxide, meglumine, povidone, sorbitol, and magnesium stearate. Telmisartan tablets are hygroscopic and require protection from moisture.
Telmisartan is highly bound to plasma proteins (>99.5%), mainly albumin and 1 - acid glycoprotein. Plasma protein binding is constant over the concentration range achieved with recommended doses. The volume of distribution for telmisartan is approximately 500 liters indicating additional tissue binding.

## Metabolism and Elimination
Following either intravenous or oral administration of 14C-labeled telmisartan, most of the administered dose (>97%) was eliminated unchanged in feces via biliary excretion; only minute amounts were found in the urine (0.91% and 0.49% of total radioactivity, respectively).
Telmisartan is metabolized by conjugation to form a pharmacologically inactive acyl glucuronide; the glucuronide of the parent compound is the only metabolite that has been identified in human plasma and urine. After a single dose, the glucuronide represents approximately 11% of the measured radioactivity in plasma. The cytochrome P450 isoenzymes are not involved in the metabolism of telmisartan.
Total plasma clearance of telmisartan is >800 mL/min. Terminal half-life and total clearance appear to be independent of dose.

## Specific Populations
No dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with decreased renal function. Telmisartan is not removed from blood by hemofiltration .
In patients with hepatic insufficiency, plasma concentrations of telmisartan are increased, and absolute bioavailability approaches 100% .
Plasma concentrations of telmisartan are generally 2 to 3 times higher in females than in males. In clinical trials, however, no significant increases in blood pressure response or in the incidence of orthostatic hypotension were found in women. No dosage adjustment is necessary.
The pharmacokinetics of telmisartan do not differ between the elderly and those younger than 65 years .
Telmisartan pharmacokinetics have not been investigated in patients <18 years of age.
There was no evidence of carcinogenicity when telmisartan was administered in the diet to mice and rats for up to 2 years. The highest doses administered to mice (1000 mg/kg/day) and rats (100 mg/kg/day) are, on a mg/m2 basis, about 59 and 13 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of telmisartan. These same doses have been shown to provide average systemic exposures to telmisartan >100 times and >25 times, respectively, the systemic exposure in humans receiving the MRHD (80 mg/day).
Genotoxicity assays did not reveal any telmisartan-related effects at either the gene or chromosome level. These assays included bacterial mutagenicity tests with Salmonella and E. coli (Ames), a gene mutation test with Chinese hamster V79 cells, a cytogenetic test with human lymphocytes, and a mouse micronucleus test.
No drug-related effects on the reproductive performance of male and female rats were noted at 100 mg/kg/day (the highest dose administered), about 13 times, on a mg/m2 basis, the MRHD of telmisartan. This dose in the rat resulted in an average systemic exposure (telmisartan AUC as determined on day 6 of pregnancy) at least 50 times the average systemic exposure in humans at the MRHD (80 mg/day).

# Developmental Toxicity
There is no clinical experience with the use of Telmisartan tablets in pregnant women. No teratogenic effects were observed when telmisartan was administered to pregnant rats at oral doses of up to 50 mg/kg/day and to pregnant rabbits at oral doses up to 45 mg/kg/day. In rabbits, embryolethality associated with maternal toxicity (reduced body weight gain and food consumption) was observed at 45 mg/kg/day . In rats, maternally toxic (reduction in body weight gain and food consumption) telmisartan doses of 15 mg/kg/day (about 1.9 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis), administered during late gestation and lactation, were observed to produce adverse effects in neonates, including reduced viability, low birth weight, delayed maturation, and decreased weight gain. Telmisartan has been shown to be present in rat fetuses during late gestation and in rat milk. The no observed effect doses for developmental toxicity in rats and rabbits, 5 and 15 mg/kg/day, respectively, are about 0.64 and 3.7 times, on a mg/m2 basis, the maximum recommended human dose of telmisartan (80 mg/day).
The antihypertensive effects of Telmisartan have been demonstrated in six principal placebo-controlled clinical trials, studying a range of 20 to 160 mg; one of these examined the antihypertensive effects of telmisartan and Hydrochlorothiazidein combination. The studies involved a total of 1773 patients with mild to moderate , 1031 of whom were treated with telmisartan. Following once daily administration of telmisartan, the magnitude of blood pressure reduction from baseline after placebo subtraction was approximately (SBP/DBP) 6-8/6 mmHg for 20 mg, 9-13/6-8 mmHg for 40 mg, and 12-13/7-8 mmHg for 80 mg. Larger doses (up to 160 mg) did not appear to cause a further decrease in blood pressure.
Upon initiation of antihypertensive treatment with telmisartan, blood pressure was reduced after the first dose, with a maximal reduction by about 4 weeks. With cessation of treatment with Telmisartan tablets, blood pressure gradually returned to baseline values over a period of several days to one week. During long term studies (without placebo control) the effect of telmisartan appeared to be maintained for up to at least one year. The antihypertensive effect of telmisartan is not influenced by patient age, gender, weight, or body mass index. Blood pressure response in black patients (usually a low-renin population) is noticeably less than that in Caucasian patients. This has been true for most, but not all, angiotensin II antagonists and ACE inhibitors.
In a controlled study, the addition of telmisartan to Hydrochlorothiazideproduced an additional dose-related reduction in blood pressure that was similar in magnitude to the reduction achieved with telmisartan monotherapy. Hydrochlorothiazidealso had an added blood pressure effect when added to telmisartan.
The onset of antihypertensive activity occurs within 3 hours after administration of a single oral dose. At doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg, the antihypertensive effect of once daily administration of telmisartan is maintained for the full 24-hour dose interval. With automated ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and conventional blood pressure measurements, the 24-hour trough-to-peak ratio for 40 to 80 mg doses of telmisartan was 70 to 100% for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The incidence of symptomatic orthostasis after the first dose in all controlled trials was low (0.04%).
There were no changes in the heart rate of patients treated with telmisartan in controlled trials.
There are no trials of Telmisartan demonstrating reductions in cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension, but at least one pharmacologically similar drug has demonstrated such benefits.
Telmisartan tablets USP 20 mg: white to off-white circular shaped flat beveled edge tablets with G engraved on one side and 199 engraved on the other side.
Bottles of 100 (NDC 68462-199-01)
Carton of 30 Tablets (3 x 10 Unit-Dose) NDC 68462-199-13
Telmisartan tablets USP 40 mg: white to off-white capsule shaped tablets with G engraved on one side and 200 engraved on other side.
Bottles of 100 (NDC 68462-200-01)
Carton of 30 Tablets (3 x 10 Unit-Dose) NDC 68462-200-13
Telmisartan tablets USP 80 mg: white to off-white capsule shaped tablets with G engraved on one side and 201 engraved on other side.
Bottles of 100 (NDC 68462-201-01)
Carton of 30 Tablets (3 x 10 Unit-Dose) NDC 68462-201-13
Read this Patient Information before you start taking telmisartan tablets and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment.

## What is the most important information I should know about telmisartan tablets?
Telmisartan tablets can cause harm or death to an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about other ways to lower your blood pressure if you plan to become pregnant. If you get pregnant while taking telmisartan tablets, tell your doctor right away.
What are telmisartan tablets?

## Telmisartan tablets are a prescription medicine used:
- to treat high blood pressure (hypertension)
It is not known if telmisartan tablets are safe and effective in children.

## Who should not take telmisartan tablets?
You should not take telmisartan tablets if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to the active ingredient (telmisartan) or any of the other ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
For patients with diabetes, if you are taking telmisartan you should not take aliskiren.

## What should I tell my doctor before taking telmisartan tablets?
Before you take telmisartan tablets, tell your doctor if you:
- have liver problems
- have kidney problems
- have heart problems
- have any other medical conditions
- are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. See What is the most important information I should know about telmisartan tablets?
- are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is not known if telmisartan passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take telmisartan tablets or breast-feed. You should not do both. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take telmisartan tablets.

## Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
For patients with diabetes, if you are taking telmisartan you should not take aliskiren.
Telmisartan tablets may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how telmisartan tablets work. Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- aliskiren
- digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
- lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
- medicines used to treat pain and arthritis, called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including COX-2 inhibitors
- ramipril (Altace) or other medicines used to treat your high blood pressure or heart problem
- water pills (diuretic)
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

## How should I take telmisartan tablets?
- Take telmisartan tablets exactly as your doctor tells you to take it.
- Your doctor will tell you how much telmisartan to take and when to take it.
- Do not change your dose unless your doctor tells you to.
- Take telmisartan tablets one time each day at the same time.
- Take telmisartan tablets with or without food.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time.
- If you take too much telmisartan, call your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
- Read the How to Open the Blister at the end of this leaflet before you use telmisartan tablets. Talk with your doctor if you do not understand the instructions.

## What are the possible side effects of telmisartan tablets?
Telmisartan tablets may cause serious side effects, including:
- Injury or death to your unborn baby. See What is the most important information I should know about telmisartan tablets?
- Low blood pressure (hypotension) is most likely to happen if you also:
- take water pills (diuretics)
- are on a low-salt diet
- get dialysis treatments
- have heart problems
- get sick with vomiting or diarrhea
If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down and call your doctor right away.
- Kidney problems, which may get worse if you already have kidney disease. You may have changes in your kidney test results, and you may need a lower dose of telmisartan tablets. Call your doctor if you get:
- swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands
- unexplained weight gain
Call your doctor right away if you get any of the symptoms listed above.
- High potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia). Your doctor may check your potassium levels as needed.
Rare, serious allergic reactions may happen. Tell your doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms:
- swelling of the face, tongue, throat
- difficulty breathing
- skin rash
The most common side effects of telmisartan tablets include:
- sinus pain and congestion (sinusitis)
- back pain
- diarrhea
These are not all the possible side effects with telmisartan tablets. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

## How should I store telmisartan tablets?
- Store telmisartan tablets between 59F to 86F (15C to 30C).
- Do not remove telmisartan tablets from blisters until right before you take them.
Keep telmisartan tablets and all medicines out of the reach of children.

## General information about telmisartan tablets
- Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use telmisartan tablets for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give telmisartan tablets to other people, even if they have the same condition you have. It may harm them.
- This Patient Information leaflet summarizes the most important information about telmisartan tablets. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about telmisartan tablets that is written for health professionals.
- For more information, call Glenmark Generics Inc., USA at 1 (888)721-7115 or visit www.glenmarkgenerics.com.

## What are the ingredients in telmisartan tablets USP?
Active Ingredient: telmisartan USP
Inactive Ingredients: crospovidone, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, meglumine, povidone and sodium hydroxide pellets

## What is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?
Blood pressure is the force in your blood vessels when your heart beats and when your heart rests. You have high blood pressure when the force is too much. Telmisartan tablets can help your blood vessels relax so your blood pressure is lower. Medicines that lower your blood pressure lower your chance of having a stroke or heart attack.
High blood pressure makes the heart work harder to pump blood throughout the body and causes damage to the blood vessels. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, and vision problems.

## How to open the blister:
1. Tear (You may also use scissors to tear the blister apart)
2. Peel (Peel off the paper layer from the aluminum foil)
3. Push (Push the tablet through the foil)
-  Du H, Fan J, Ling Z, Woo K, Su L, Chen S;  et al. (2013). "Effect of nifedipine versus telmisartan on prevention of atrial fibrillation recurrence in hypertensive patients". Hypertension. 61 (4): 78692. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.111.202309. PMID 23438932.CS1 maint: Explicit use of et al. (link) CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link) .mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
-  Mann JF, Schmieder RE, McQueen M, Dyal L, Schumacher H, Pogue J;  et al. (2008). "Renal outcomes with telmisartan, ramipril, or both, in people at high vascular risk (the ONTARGET study): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, controlled trial". Lancet. 372 (9638): 54753. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61236-2. PMID 18707986.CS1 maint: Explicit use of et al. (link) CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)   Review in: ACP J Club. 2008 Dec 16;149(6):7  Review in: Evid Based Med. 2009 Feb;14(1):11
-  Galzerano D, Tammaro P, Cerciello A, Breglio R, Mallardo M, Lama D;  et al. (2004). "Freehand three-dimensional echocardiographic evaluation of the effect of telmisartan compared with hydrochlorothiazide on left ventricular mass in hypertensive patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension: a multicentre study". J Hum Hypertens. 18 (1): 539. doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1001637. PMID 14688811.CS1 maint: Explicit use of et al. (link) CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)