What is amlodipine and telmisartan?
Amlodipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels.
Telmisartan is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Telmisartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
The combination of amlodipine and telmisartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is sometimes used together with other blood pressure medications.
Amlodipine and telmisartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about amlodipine and telmisartan?
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. Telmisartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take this medicine during your second or third trimester. If you become pregnant during treatment, stop using amlodipine and telmisartan and tell your doctor right away.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking amlodipine and telmisartan, unless your doctor has told you to.
Call your doctor at once if you have swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath, fast or pounding heartbeats, urinating less than usual or not at all, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling, or if you feel like you might pass out.
In rare cases, amlodipine and telmisartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amlodipine and telmisartan?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc) or telmisartan (Micardis).
To make sure you can safely take amlodipine and telmisartan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease;
an electrolyte imbalance;
low blood pressure;
if you are vomiting or having diarrhea; or
if you have recently had a heart attack.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use amlodipine and telmisartan if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Telmisartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking amlodipine and telmisartan.
It is not known whether amlodipine and telmisartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.