Brand Name

Micardis HCT { Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.}

Generic Name

hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan, pronounced hye droe klor oh THYE a zide and TEL mi SAR tan

What is Micardis HCT?

Micardis HCT is a medication to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure in adults. This medication is a combination of two blood pressure medicatons in one tablet. You may be prescribed Micardis HCT to help keep your blood vessels from narrowing, which helps to lower your blood pressure and improve your blood flow. Micardis HCT also contains hydrochlorothiazide, which is a thiazide diuretic that helps prevent your body from retaining too much water and salt, which can lead to excess fluid retention.

Micardis HCT may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Micardis HCT

Micardis HCT is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, which means that it helps to keep your blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers your blood pressure and improves your blood flow. Hydrochlorothiazide is also part of Micardis HCT, and it is a thiazide diuretic, or water pill, which helps prevent your body from retaining too much water and salt.

PREGNANCY/BREASTFEEDING: You should not use Micardis HCT if you are pregnant as it is possible for this medication to cause injury or death to the unborn child. If you become pregnant while taking Micardis HCT you should stop taking this medication and contact your doctor right away. You should be sure to use effective birth control while taking Micardis HCT.

You should not breast-feed while taking Micardis HCT, as we do not yet know if this medication can pass into breast milk.

While you are taking Micardis HCT you should not drink alcohol. Because drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure you may experience an increase in certain side effects of Micardis HCT if you drink while taking it.

Unless your doctor has advised you to do so, you should not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Micardis HCT

Continue to use Micardis HCT as your doctor has directed, and be sure to get your blood pressure checked regularly.

Micardis HCT in rare cases can cause a condition that causes a breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, which leads to kidney failure. This is known as Rhabdomyolysis. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, weakness or tenderness, If you have experienced a decrease in urine production or if your urine is a dark, red or cola color, especially if you also have a fever and extreme tiredness. This rare condition may be more likely to occur if you are an older adult, if you have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism.

Before You Take Micardis HCT

If you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or telmisartan you should not take Micardis HCT.

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding you should not take Micardis HCT.

You should inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or congestive heart failure before taking Micardis HCT.

If you suffer from glaucoma, gout, lupus or diabetes you should tell your doctor before starting treatment with Micardis HCT.

You should talk to your doctor before starting treatment with Micardis HCT if you have allergies, asthma, low or high levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood, or an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin

Let your doctor know if you drink 2 or more alcoholic beverages daily. Alcohol can increase the risk of serious side effects if you are taking Micardis HCT.

Until you know how you will react to Micardis HCT you should avoid getting up too fast from a lying or sitting position, as you may experience dizziness. Be sure to get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall, especially when you first begin your treatment with Micardis HCT.

You need to be aware that certain conditions can cause low blood pressure, and make the effects of Micardis HCT more pronounced for you. Tell your doctor right away if you experience diarrhea, heart disease, intense sweating, vomiting, dialysis, or if you are on a low salt diet or become dehydrated. Take care not to become overheated during exercise or outside in the heat.

Micardis HCT Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• aspirin
• barbiturates like Mobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal) and phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)
• blood pressure medications
• blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin,Jantoven)
• cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran)
• colestipol (Colestid)
• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin)
• diuretics like amiloride (Midamor), bumetanide (Bumex), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zarxolyn), spironolactone (Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide) and torsemide (Demadex)
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic)
• insulin or other diabetes medication you may take orally
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate)
• meloxicam (Mobic)
• muscle relaxers like baclofen (Lioresal), carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), dantrolene (Dantrium), metaxalone (Skelaxin), methocarbamol (Robaxin), orphenadrine (Norflex) and tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet)
• narcotic medications like codeine (Tylenol #3), hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin, Vicoprofen), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Exalgo), oxycodone (OxyContin, Combunox, Roxicodone, Percocet), methadone (Methadose, Dolophine), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph) and oxymorphone (Opana)
• steroids

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Micardis HCT. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Micardis HCT

You should take Micardis HCT exactly your doctor has told you to. It is important that you do not take Micardis HCT in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

Micardis HCT should be taken at the same time every day.

Micardis HCT can be taken with or without food.

You should take Micardis HCT with a full (8 oz.) glass of water.

You may need to take Micardis HCT on a long-term basis for the treatment of high blood pressure. It is important that you follow up with your doctor on a regular basis to be sure that Micardis HCT is helping your condition and not causing you to have any adverse or harmful effects.

Micardis HCT should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Micardis HCT you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose is less than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

Micardis HCT Side Effects

Seek immediate emergency medical assistance if you experience any of the following adverse effects while taking Micardis HCT:

• Micardis HCT in rare cases can cause a condition that causes a breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, which leads to kidney failure.
• unexplained muscle pain, weakness or tenderness,
• decrease in urine production or if your urine is a dark, red or cola color,
• especially if you also have a fever and extreme tiredness.
• allergic reaction including hives, swelling in your face, lips, throat or tongue and trouble breathing

Call your doctor if you experience:

• dry mouth with increased thirst, drowsiness, a restless feeling, confusion, increased urination, fast heart rate, fainting or seizures
• eye pain or vision problems
• faint feeling or lightheadedness with pale skin
• fast or pounding heartbeats
• jaundice
• swelling and rapid weight gain

Less serious side effects of Micardis HCT may include:

• back pain
• cough
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache
• sinus pain and stuffy nose
• skin rash that is mild
• stomach pain
• weakness

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Micardis Plus. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Micardis HCT Description and Dosing

Micardis HCT is available in in three strengths, as biconvex two-layered, oblong-shaped, uncoated tablets. The strengths are combinations of

40 mg/12.5 mg, white/red oval tablet imprinted with H4

80 mg/12.5 mg, white/red oval tablet imprinted with H8

80 mg/25 mg, white/yellow oval tablet imprinted with H9.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Micardis HCT you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Micardis HCT

Micardis HCT contains the active ingredients hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan

Inactive ingredients include sodium hydroxide, meglumine, povidone, sorbitol, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, maize starch, sodium starch glycolate. As coloring agents, the 40 mg/12.5 mg and 80 mg/12.5 mg tablets contain ferric oxide red, and the 80 mg/25 mg tablets contain ferric oxide yellow.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

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