telmisartan / HCTZ
Micardis HCT is a combination blood pressure medication containing two active ingredients: telmisartan (an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)) and hydrochlorothiazide (a diuretic (water pill)). It's used to treat high blood pressure in adults who've already taken blood pressure medication before. It comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth once a day, and is available in both brand name and generic versions. The dosage typically depends on how your body responds to the medication. Common side effects include an upper respiratory tract infection, dizziness, and diarrhea.
What is Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ)?
What is Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) used for?
- High blood pressure in adults
How Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) works
Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) is a combination of two medications that work together to lower blood pressure.
- Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It lowers blood pressure by blocking angiotensin II. This is a hormone that typically causes your blood vessels to become more narrow, which raises your blood pressure.
- Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). It works in your kidneys to remove extra water and certain electrolytes, like sodium and potassium, from your body. This reduces the fluid in your blood vessels, helping to lower blood pressure.
Drug facts
Side effects of Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Upper respiratory tract infection (8%)
- Dizziness (5%)
- Swelling of the sinuses (4%)
- Tiredness (3%)
- Diarrhea (3%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Pain
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms
- Sore throat
- Redness
- Upset stomach
Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Dangerously low blood pressure: dizziness, lightheadedness, pale skin, feeling faint or fainting
- Kidney problems: urinating less often than usual, swelling, unexplained weight gain
- Abnormal electrolyte levels: nausea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, tingling sensation, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, low energy, fluttering heartbeat
- Vision problems: vision changes, eye pain
- Severe allergic reaction: rash, trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips, throat
- Skin cancer: changes to the skin, new moles, bleeding sores, painful bump
More on Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) side effects
The following Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Dehydration—increased thirst, dry mouth, feeling faint or lightheaded, headache, dark yellow or brown urine
- Gout—severe pain, redness, warmth, or swelling in joints, such as the big toe
- High potassium level—muscle weakness, fast or irregular heartbeat
- Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
- Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
- Low potassium level—muscle pain or cramps, unusual weakness or fatigue, fast or irregular heartbeat, constipation
- Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Back pain
- Change in sex drive or performance
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Sinus pain or pressure around the face or forehead
- Upset stomach
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Pros and cons of Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ)
Pros
- Combines two first-choice blood pressure medications into a single pill for convenience
- Can take with or without food
- Taken by mouth once per day
Cons
- Not safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding
- More difficult to customize the dose it's a fixed combination of two medications
- Can make you urinate more often
Pharmacist tips for Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ)
- Mark your calendar for appointments and blood work while taking Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ). Your care team will order tests like potassium, kidney function, and blood pressure during treatment. They might also change your dose based on the lab results.
- Take Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) with or without food. If it hurts your stomach, taking it with food might help.
- You can take Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) at any time of day. But since it contains hydrochlorothiazide, which can make you urinate more often, you might prefer taking it in the morning or early afternoon to avoid waking up at night. It's best to take Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) at the same time every day.
- Check your blood pressure regularly at home to track how well Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) is working. Record your readings and share them with your prescriber.
- Don't change your Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) dose or stop it suddenly without talking to your prescriber. Doing so can cause your blood pressure to rise quickly.
- Telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide interact with many medications. Make sure to tell your care team about all of the medications you're taking before and during treatment.
- You might feel dizzy when you start taking Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) and when your provider raises your dose. This side effect should lessen over time as you continue taking the medication and your body gets used to your new blood pressure. But if you faint, stop taking this medication and tell your prescriber right away.
- Before going outside, apply sunscreen and wear clothing to protect your skin from the sun. The hydrochlorothiazide in Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it’s important to protect your skin when outdoors.
- Try to limit foods high in potassium and potassium-containing salt substitutes. Eating them with Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) might cause high potassium, which can lead to nausea, vomiting, or muscle weakness.
- Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) can cause severe harm to an unborn baby if taken during pregnancy. Let your care team know if you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, they might recommend a safer medication.
- It's generally not recommended that you breastfeed during treatment with Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ). Animal studies show that the medication can pass into breast milk, though it's not clear how this might affect the nursing baby. To be safe, speak to your prescriber about alternatives to breastfeeding or safer blood pressure medications you can take during this time.
Common questions about Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ)
No, Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) doesn't contain a beta blocker. It contains an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) (telmisartan) and a diuretic (water pill) (hydrochlorothiazide). Beta blockers, ARBs, and diuretics all work to lower blood pressure, but they do so in different ways. Depending on how high your blood pressure is, your cardiologist might consider prescribing a beta blocker for you to take with Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ). Ask your healthcare team if you have more questions on the different types of blood pressure medications.
It's not entirely clear when the best time of day to take blood pressure medications like Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ). Since it contains the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, which makes you urinate more, you might want to take it in the morning or early afternoon to avoid waking up at night to use the bathroom. The most important thing is to take Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) consistently at the same time each day. If you're unsure when to take it, speak with your prescriber.
There’s no guarantee that Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) side effects will completely go away — it often depends on the type of side effect. Common ones, like dizziness, diarrhea, and tiredness, can improve and go away over time as your body adjusts. More rare but serious side effects, like kidney problems, might be permanent if the medication isn't stopped or treated in time. Speak with your prescriber if you experience any side effects from this medication.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) wasn't a reported side effect from people taking Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) during clinical studies. But, in general, blood pressure medications, especially thiazide diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide, can raise the risk for ED. Talk to your prescriber if you're experiencing symptoms of ED after starting this medication.
No, weight gain wasn't a side effect reported by people taking Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ). But keep in mind that telmisartan in Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) can cause a type of kidney damage called renal artery stenosis, which can cause weight gain from extra fluid. Let your prescriber know if you experience unusual or unexpected weight gain while taking Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ). They can try to help you figure out what's causing this weight gain.
Don't cut Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) tablets in half unless your prescriber says it's safe to do so. Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) is a combination medication and the tablets don't have a score line, or a line in the middle of the tablet for cutting. It's also generally not recommended to cut a combination medication, like Micardis HCT, because the two halves of the cut pill might not contain the same amount of medication.
Yes, Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) is available as a generic medication.
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Risks and warnings for Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ)
Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Harm to unborn baby
Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) is not safe in pregnancy because it can cause severe harm to your unborn baby. This medication can affect how well the unborn baby's kidneys develop and work, which can be life-threatening.
Stop taking Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) and let a member of your healthcare team know right away if you find out that you're pregnant during treatment. Discuss with your primary care provider or cardiologist about taking a different medication that's safer to treat your blood pressure if you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant.
Low blood pressure
- Risk factors: Not enough fluid in your body | Having diarrhea or vomiting for a long time | Low salt levels in your body | Taking high doses of diuretic medications
Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) can cause your blood pressure to drop too much, which can make you feel dizzy, tired, or lightheaded. This side effect is more common when you first start this medication or when the dose is raised. It also might be more likely to happen if you're dehydrated or if you're taking a high dose of a diuretic. Make sure to stay well hydrated to avoid having blood pressure that's too low. Sit down slowly while holding onto something if you feel dizzy from low blood pressure. Let your care team know if your blood pressure drops too much. Get medical help immediately if you fall and hit your head.
Possible kidney damage in certain people
- Risk factors: Heart failure | Certain kidney problems | Taking other medications that can cause kidney damage
Although ARBs like telmisartan in Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) can protect the kidneys, they can sometimes affect kidney function and cause them to not work as well. You're at a higher risk if you have severe heart failure, certain kidney problems, or take medications that can worsen kidney function. Let your prescriber know if you're having problems with urination, as this could be a sign that your kidneys aren't working as well.
Changes in electrolyte, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that can change electrolyte, blood sugar, or cholesterol levels
Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) can affect the level of certain electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, and magnesium in your body. It can also change your blood sugar levels and raise the cholesterol and triglycerides levels.
You might need regular blood tests done while taking Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) to check that your electrolyte, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels are normal. Let your care team know about all the medications you're taking because some of them can cause similar changes. Tell your care team if you experience an irregular heartbeat, weakness, low energy, muscle weakness or cramps, reduced urination, nausea, or vomiting. These can be signs of electrolyte imbalances.
Allergic reaction
- Risk factors: History allergies or asthma
Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) can cause allergic reactions. Your risk is higher if you have a history of allergies or asthma, though it can happen to anyone. Let your prescriber know if you have a rash, itchiness, hives, trouble breathing, or swelling in the face.
Vision problems
- Risk factors: History of sulfa or penicillin allergy
Although rare, some people experience vision changes or eye pain within hours or weeks of starting taking hydrochlorothiazide, an ingredient in Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ). Tell your prescriber right away about any vision changes and stop taking Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ), as untreated symptoms could lead to permanent vision loss.
Lupus
- Risk factors: History of lupus
Medications containing hydrochlorothiazide like Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) can cause or worsen lupus. Talk to your prescriber if you have symptoms such as feeling very tired, joint pain, or a skin rash across your cheeks and nose.
Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40mg/12.5mg | 90 tablets | $46.50 | $0.52 |
| 80mg/25mg | 30 tablets | $21.69 | $0.72 |
| 80mg/12.5mg | 90 tablets | $41.46 | $0.46 |
Typical dosage for Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ)
- Adults: The typical starting dose is 80 mg/12.5 mg (telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide) by mouth once per day. Your prescriber might adjust your dose after 2 to 4 weeks. The maximum dose is 160 mg/25 mg (telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide) by mouth once daily.
Your dose might differ if you have liver problems.
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Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ) will not be safe for you to take.
- Unable to urinate
- Taking at the same time as aliskiren (Tekturna) in people with diabetes
What are alternatives to Micardis HCT (telmisartan / HCTZ)?
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