Arterial hypertension is a pathological condition characterized by a regular increase in blood pressure, the value of which exceeds the figures 140/90 mm RT. Art. Such a diagnosis is made to the patient, provided that high blood pressure is observed in three of his measurements, which were made at different times and against the background of a calm environment. Moreover, it is extremely important that before such manipulations a person does not take any drugs that increase or, conversely, lower blood pressure.
General information about the disease
Who is most often diagnosed with arterial hypertension? According to experts, this disease is observed in approximately 30% of elderly and middle-aged people, although the development of a similar pathology is not excluded in adolescents. It should also be noted that the average incidence rate 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
Arterial hypertension 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 a person to lose their ability to work, as well as death.
It cannot be said that a malignant or prolonged course of arterial hypertension leads to a significant damage to the arterioles of some organs (for example, the eyes, brain, kidneys and heart) and a violation of their blood supply.
Can arterial 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 correctly selected treatment can prevent the subsequent development of pathology, as well as significantly reduce the risk of serious complications, including hypertensive crises.
What medicine is most often prescribed 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” released? Patient reviews report that in drugstore chains such a drug can be found in the form of round and plane-cylindrical tablets of white color or with a yellowish tinge, with risk and chamfer.
The active active ingredient of this medication is telmisartan. As for excipients, then as part of the tablets include:
- meglumine;
- lactose monohydrate (or milk sugar);
- sodium hydroxide;
- croscarmellose sodium;
- povidone K25;
- magnesium stearate.
According to reviews, “Telmisartan” in tablets is sold in pharmacies in contour cells, which are placed in packs of cardboard.
Pharmacology
What is the medication "Telmisartan" (40 mg)? Experts say that this is an antihypertensive drug, which is an antagonist of receptors such as AT1, that is, angiotensin II. The drug in question has a high affinity for the receptor subtype. It selectively and for a long time binds to angiotensin II, after which the active substance displaces it from the bond with AT1 receptors.
Other features
What other properties are inherent to Telmisartan? Reviews report that the active component of this drug does not affect ACE and renin in any way, nor does it block the channels that are responsible for conducting ions.
Mentioned medicine reduces the amount of aldosterone in the blood. A dosage of 80 mg completely eliminates the high blood pressure that 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 the significant effect of the medication is felt 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 in no way affects the pulse rate of a person. Also, in the course of treatment, the effect of addiction and significant accumulation of the active substance of the drug in the body was not observed.
Pharmacokinetic properties of the drug
What are the pharmacokinetic features of the Telmisartan medication? Instructions and expert reviews report that when the drug is taken inside, its active substance is absorbed quite quickly from the digestive tract. Its bioavailability is about 50%.
When using the drug simultaneously with food, the decrease in AUC varies in the range of 6-9% (at a dose of 40-160 mg, respectively).
Three hours after taking the medication, the concentration of its active component in the blood plasma gradually equalizes (regardless of whether the medicine was taken with food or on an empty stomach).
The relationship of telmisartan with plasma proteins is about 99.5%. This substance is metabolized through conjugation with glucuronic acid. In this case, pharmacologically inactive metabolites are formed.
The half-life of the drug in question is more than 20 hours. Its active substance is excreted unchanged through the intestines. Cumulative excretion through the renal system is about 1%.
Indications for the appointment of the drug
In what cases is a drug such as Telmisartan prescribed? Reviews of doctors report that the drug in question is actively used during the treatment of hypertension. It can also be prescribed for the prevention of mortality from pathologies of the cardiovascular system, including after a heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and with left ventricular hypertrophy.
Prohibitions for oral administration
When should you not use Telmisartan tablets? Reviews of specialists, as well as instructions for the use of this drug, indicate the following contraindications for use:
- obstructive diseases of the biliary tract;
- primary aldosteronism;
- severe liver failure;
- severe renal impairment;
- intolerance to fructose patients;
- excessive sensitivity of the patient to the main substance or other components of the drug;
- pregnancy period;
- minor age;
- period of breastfeeding.
Instructions for use
How should I use 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 in 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, while taking 40 mg of the drug, the desired effect was not achieved, then the dose is increased to a maximum of 80 mg. In this case, the application of the entire dosage is carried out at a 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 intake of tablets).
To reduce blood pressure, Telmisartan (80 mg), the reviews of which are indicated below, are often prescribed together with thiazide diuretics.
Taking the drug for cardiovascular diseases
The effectiveness of Telmisartan tablets used to prevent mortality in patients with cardiovascular problems is observed at a dose of 80 mg per day. Whether a similar result is noted at lower dosages is currently unknown.
In diseases of the liver and kidneys, you must make sure that the indicated amount of the drug does not provoke the development of side effects from the above organs. Therefore, in such cases, it is recommended to begin treatment with a dose of 20 mg per day. It should also be borne 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 Telmisartan 80 cause? Reviews of experts report that negative phenomena on the background of taking the drug in question are extremely rare. However, in some cases, patients still complain of the following conditions:
- Bradycardia, anemia, shortness of breath, vomiting, high levels of creatinine in the blood, sleep disturbances, diarrhea, back pain.
- Depressive conditions, dyspnea, vertigo, spasms of the calves, 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 renal function, increased sweating.
- Muscle pain, respiratory and urinary tract infections (e.g., cystitis, sinusitis, or pharyngitis), tachycardia, sepsis, visual disturbances, thrombocytopenia, and a dry mouth.
- Decreased hemoglobin, stomach discomfort, anxiety, joint pain, decreased blood pressure when changing body position, impaired liver function, erythema, increased activity of liver enzymes, eczematous rash, increased uric acid level in the blood.
- Tendon pain, angioedema, tendonitis, toxic rashes, increased levels of eosinophils.
It's important to know!
With special care, the Telmisartan preparation is prescribed for impaired liver function, aortic stenosis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer (during exacerbation), coronary heart disease, digestive organs diseases, mitral valve stenosis, heart failure and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.
People with reduced BCC, as well as with hyponatremia, may develop symptomatic arterial hypotension (including after taking the first pill of the drug). In this regard, before treatment requires the correction of these conditions.
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:
- Mikardis.
- "Priiter."
- "Telmista."
- Teseo.
Before using these drugs in order 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 about this medicine are extremely rare. Of those reports that are available today, about 80% are positive. People suffering from a regular increase in pressure argue that taking the mentioned tablets allows you to quickly and fairly gently normalize it. Also, patients are pleased with the fact that this medication rarely causes side effects.