hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan

What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan?

If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

What is hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan?

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water pill). Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (sometimes called an ARB blocker).

Hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan is a combination medicine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan?

If you have diabetes, do not use hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

You may also need to avoid taking hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• glaucoma;
• low or high levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood;
• asthma or allergies;
• lupus;
• diabetes; or
• an allergy to penicillin or sulfa drugs.

How should I take hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include fast or slow heart rate, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan?

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids.

What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan?

• eye pain, vision problems;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• swelling in your hands or feet, unusual weight gain;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding; or
• signs of an electrolyte imbalance --dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, confusion, feeling restless, vomiting, muscle pain or weakness, lack of energy, fast heartbeats, little or no urine, or a seizure.

Common side effects may include:

• dizziness, feeling tired;
• nausea, diarrhea;
• back pain; or
• cold or flu symptoms.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan?

If you also take cholestyramine or colestipol, avoid taking these medications within 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• any other heart or blood pressure medications;
• digoxin;
• lithium;
• a diuretic or "water pill";
• insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
• opioid pain medicine;
• a sleeping pill;
• steroid medicine or adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH);
• a barbiturate such as butabarbital, phenobarbital, or secobarbital; or
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 10.01. Revision date: 2/15/2021.