Arterial hypertension is a pathological condition characterized by a regular increase in blood pressure, the value of which exceeds 140/90 mm Hg. Art. Such a diagnosis is made to the patient, provided that high blood pressure is observed with three of its measurements, which were made at different times and against the backdrop of a calm environment. At the same time, it is extremely important that before such manipulations a person does not take any drugs that increase or, conversely, lower pressure.
General information about the disease
Who is most commonly diagnosed with hypertension? According to experts, this disease is observed in about 30% of elderly and middle-aged people, although the development of such a pathology is not excluded in adolescents. It should also be noted that the average incidence of women and men has an almost equal ratio.
Among all forms of arterial hypertension, mild to moderate degrees account for about 80%.
Complications, disease therapy
HypertensionThis is a rather serious medical and social problem. The lack of proper and timely treatment of such a disease can contribute to the development of serious and dangerous complications. These include stroke and myocardial infarction, which can cause disability and death.
It cannot be said that malignant or prolonged course of arterial hypertension leads to significant damage to the arterioles of some organs (for example, eyes, brain, kidneys and heart) and disruption of their blood supply.
Can hypertension be cured? Therapy of such a disease should be primarily aimed at normalizing high blood pressure. However, the treatment does not end there. Together with taking drugs that lower blood pressure, a mandatory correction of all existing disorders that have developed in the internal organs is required.
Experts say that the disease in question is often chronic. It is useless to hope for a full recovery in such cases, but the right treatment can prevent the subsequent development of the pathology, as well as significantly reduce the risk of severe complications, including hypertensive crises.
What is the most commonly prescribed drug for hypertension? The most popular drug for this disease is Telmisartan. Instructions for use, reviews about this medication, its composition, side effects, contraindications and other information are presented below.
Description of the drug, packaging, composition and form of release
In what form is the drug "Telmisartan" produced? Patient reviews report that in pharmacy chains such a drug can be found in the form of round and flat-cylindrical tablets of white color or with a yellowish tinge, with a risk and a chamfer.
The active ingredient in this medication is telmisartan. As for the excipients, the tablets include:
- meglumine;
- lactose monohydrate (or milk sugar);
- sodium hydroxide;
- croscarmellose sodium;
- Povidone K25;
- magnesium stearate.
According to reviews, "Telmisartan" tablets are sold in pharmacies in contour cells, which are placed in cardboard packs.
Pharmacology
What is Telmisartan (40mg)? Reviews of experts claim that this is an antihypertensive drug that is an antagonist of AT1 receptors, that is, angiotensin II. The drug in question has a high affinity for the mentioned receptor subtype. It binds selectively and for a long time to angiotensin II, after which the active substance displaces it from its association with AT1 receptors.
Other Features
What other properties are inherent in the drug "Telmisartan"? Reviews report that the active component of this tool does not affect ACE and renin in any way, nor does it block the channels that are responsible for conducting ions.
The mentioned drug reduces the amount of aldosterone in the blood. The dosage of the drug, equal to 80 mg, completely eliminates high blood pressure, which was caused by angiotensin II.
The therapeutic effect after taking the pill lasts about a day, and then gradually decreases. It should also be noted that a significant effect of the drug is felt for at least two days after the start of treatment.
According to reviews, "Telmisartan" is able to reduce both systolic and diastolic pressure. However, the drug does not affect a person's pulse rate in any way. Also, during the treatment, there was no effect of addiction and significant accumulation of the active substance of the drug in the body.
Pharmacokinetic properties of the drug
What are the pharmacokinetic features of the drug "Telmisartan"? Instructions and reviews of experts report that when the drug is taken orally, its active substance is quickly absorbed from the digestive tract. Its bioavailability is about 50%.
When taking the drug simultaneously with food, the decrease in AUC varies between 6-9% (at a dose of 40-160 mg, respectively).
Three hours after taking the drug, the concentration of its active component in the blood plasma gradually levels off (regardless of whether the medicine was taken with food or on an empty stomach).
The connection of telmisartan with plasma proteins is about 99.5%. This substance is metabolized by conjugation with glucuronic acid. In this case, pharmacologically inactive metabolites are formed.
The half-life of the drug in question is over 20 hours. Its active substance is excreted unchanged through the intestines. Cumulative elimination by the renal system is about 1%.
Indications for prescribing the drug
When is a drug like Telmisartan prescribed? Reviews of doctors report that the drug in question is actively used during the treatment of arterial hypertension. It can also be prescribed to prevent death in people from pathologies of the cardiovascular system, including after a heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and left ventricular hypertrophy.
Prohibitions on prescribing an oral remedy
When should you not use Telmisartan tablets? Reviews of specialists, as well as instructions for the use of this drug, indicate the following contraindications to the appointment:
- obstructive biliary tract disease;
- primary aldosteronism;
- severe liver failure;
- severe renal dysfunction;
- fructose intolerance to patients;
- excessive sensitivity of the patient to the main substance or other components of the drug;
- pregnancy period;
- minor age;
- breastfeeding period.
Instructions for use
How to use the drug"Telmisartan" (40 mg)? Reviews of doctors indicate that it is necessary to take the mentioned tablets orally (orally), regardless of food intake.
When diagnosing arterial hypertension, the medication in question is usually prescribed at a dosage of 40 mg once a day. However, in some cases, the indicated dose can be halved (provided that the drug was effective in an amount of 20 mg).
If the desired effect was not achieved when taking 40 mg of the drug, then the dose is increased to a maximum of 80 mg. In this case, the application of the entire dosage is carried out at one time.
When correcting treatment, it should be borne in mind that the maximum therapeutic effect is not achieved immediately, but after 1-2 months (subject to regular pill intake).
To lower blood pressure, the drug "Telmisartan" (80 mg), reviews of which are listed below, is very often prescribed in conjunction with thiazide diuretics.
Medication for cardiovascular disease
The effectiveness of Telmisartan tablets, used to prevent death in patients with cardiovascular problems, is observed at a dose of 80 mg per day. Whether a similar result occurs at lower dosages is currently unknown.
In case of diseases of the liver and kidneys, it is imperative to make sure that the indicated amount of the drug does not provoke the development of side effects from the mentioned organs. Therefore, in such cases, it is recommended to start treatment with a dose of 20 mg per day. It is also necessarykeep in mind that for most people with impaired liver function, a dosage above 40 mg per day is dangerous.
Side effects
What side effects can cause the drug "Telmisartan 80"? Reviews of experts report that negative phenomena against the background of taking the agent in question are extremely rare. However, in some cases, patients still complain of the following conditions:
- Bradycardia, anemia, shortness of breath, vomiting, high blood creatinine, sleep disturbances, diarrhea, back pain.
- Depressive conditions, dyspnea, vertigo, calf cramps, fainting, itching of the skin, a sharp drop in blood pressure, pain in the abdomen, weakness.
- Dyspepsia, rashes, acute renal failure, hyperkalemia, chest pain, impaired kidney function, increased sweating.
- Muscle pain, respiratory and urinary tract infections (such as cystitis, sinusitis or pharyngitis), tachycardia, sepsis, visual disturbances, thrombocytopenia, dry mouth.
- Decrease in hemoglobin levels, stomach discomfort, restlessness, joint pain, drop in blood pressure with a change in body position, impaired liver function, erythema, elevated liver enzymes, eczematous rash, increased blood uric acid levels.
- Tendon pain, angioedema, tendonitis, toxic rashes, increased eosinophils.
Important to know
With special care, the drug "Telmisartan" is prescribed forimpaired liver function, aortic stenosis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer (in the period of exacerbation), coronary artery disease, diseases of the digestive system, mitral valve stenosis, heart failure and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.
In people with reduced BCC, as well as with hyponatremia, symptomatic arterial hypotension may develop (including after taking the first tablet of the drug). In this regard, correction of these conditions is required before treatment.
It is strictly forbidden to use telmisartan in patients with primary aldosteronism.
The use of the drug is possible in combination with thiazide diuretics, since such a combination contributes to an additional decrease in blood pressure.
The drug from high blood pressure "Telmisartan": reviews and analogues
Analogues of the medication in question are such means as:
- Micardis.
- Priter.
- Telmista.
- Teseo.
Before using these drugs to eliminate arterial hypertension, it should be borne in mind that they have their own pharmacological characteristics, side effects and contraindications.
How effective is Telmisartan? Patient reviews of this medicine are extremely rare. Of the messages that are available today, about 80% are positive. People suffering from regular high blood pressure claim that taking the mentioned pills allows you to quickly and quite gentlynormalize it. Also, patients are pleased with the fact that this medication rarely causes side effects.