Generic name: telmisartan [ TEL-mi-SAR-tan ]
Drug class: Angiotensin receptor blockers

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Jan 1, 2025.

What is Micardis?

Micardis is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (sometimes called an ARB). Telmisartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Micardis is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Micardis is also used to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death from heart problems in people who are at least 55 years old with risk factors for serious heart disorders.

Warnings

Stop using Micardis 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.

If you have diabetes, do not take Micardis with any medicine that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine e.g. Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).

You may also need to avoid taking Micardis with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

In rare cases, Micardis 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 unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Micardis if you are allergic to telmisartan.

To make sure Micardis is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• a heart condition other than one being treated with Micardis;

• liver disease;

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or

• if you are on a low-salt diet.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using the medicine 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.

If you plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use before and during pregnancy. Having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications in the mother and the baby.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

How should I take Micardis?

Take Micardis exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Take Micardis at the same time each day, with or without food.

Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking Micardis.

It may take 2 to 4 weeks before your blood pressure is under control. Keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. Treatment may also include diet, exercise, lowering cholesterol, not smoking, and controlling diabetes.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your liver or kidney function may also need to be checked.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the tablets in their original package or container, along with any packet or canister of moisture-absorbing preservative.

Keep this medicine in its original packaging until you're ready to take a tablet. Tear or cut one tablet blister from the package, peel back the paper liner, and push the tablet through the foil.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 40 mg orally once a day

Maintenance dose: 40 to 80 mg orally once a day

Comments: Most of the antihypertensive effect is present within 2 weeks; maximum blood pressure reduction at a given dose is generally observed within 4 weeks of starting that dose.

Usual Adult Dose for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction:

80 mg orally once a day

Comments: It is unknown whether doses lower than 80 mg are effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
-When initiating this drug for cardiovascular risk reduction, monitoring of blood pressure is recommended, and if appropriate, adjustment of other medications that lower blood pressure.

Use: Reduction of risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes in patients 55 years or older at high risk of developing major cardiovascular events who are unable to take angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. High risk for cardiovascular events can be evidenced by a history of coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or high-risk diabetes (insulin-dependent or non-insulin dependent) with evidence of end-organ damage.

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?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Micardis?

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Do not take potassium supplements or use salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.

Micardis side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Micardis: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• little or no urination;

• swelling in your feet or ankles, rapid weight gain;

• unusual pain or tightness in your lower body;

• a skin ulcer; or

• high blood potassium - nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement.

Common Micardis side effects may include:

• stuffy nose, sinus pain;

• back pain; or

• diarrhea.

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.

Related/similar drugs

What other drugs will affect Micardis?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• digoxin;

• lithium;

• a diuretic or "water pill" or other blood pressure medicine; 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 interact with telmisartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Further information

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

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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