Hydrochlorothiazide (hye-droe-klor-oh-THYE-a-zide), Telmisartan (tel-mi-SAR-tan)

Treats high blood pressure. This medicine contains an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and a diuretic (water pill).

Brand Name(s):

Micardis HCT

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not remove a tablet from the blister pack until you are ready take your medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine together with aliskiren if you have diabetes or kidney disease.
• Some foods and medicines can affect how telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Aliskiren, cholestyramine, colestipol, digoxin, lithium
  • Other blood pressure medicine, including ACE inhibitors (including ramipril)
  • Diuretic (water pill)
  • Insulin or other diabetes medicine
  • NSAIDs (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)
  • Steroid medicine
• Ask your doctor before you use any medicine, supplement, or salt substitute that contains potassium.
• If you also use cholestyramine or colestipol, take these at least 4 to 6 hours before or 4 hours after you take this medicine.
• Alcohol, narcotic pain medicine, or sleeping pills may cause you to feel more lightheaded, dizzy, or faint when used with this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• This medicine is not safe to take during pregnancy, especially in your second or third trimester. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney problems, liver disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, glaucoma, gout, high cholesterol, lupus or a similar disorder, trouble urinating, or a history of asthma or allergies.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Kidney problems
  • Eye or vision problems, including glaucoma, myopia
  • Changes in blood sugar levels
  • High cholesterol, fats, or uric acid in the blood
  • Increased risk of skin cancer
• This medicine could lower your blood pressure too much, especially when you first use it or if you are dehydrated. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded or dizzy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor, even if you feel well. This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it will help keep it in the normal range. You may have to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
• Drink plenty of fluids if you exercise, sweat more than usual, or have diarrhea or vomiting while you are using this medicine.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
• Change in how much or how often you urinate
• Confusion, weakness, trouble breathing, numbness in your hands, feet, or lips
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps or twitching, nausea or vomiting
• Fast or uneven heartbeat
• Joint pain
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Sores, reddish patch or irritated area, shiny bump, pink growth, or white, yellow or waxy scar-like area on the skin
• Trouble seeing, eye pain

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088