Telma 40 MG Tablet 30

Most side effects do not require medical attention and resolve as your body gets used to the medicine. Consult your doctor if side effects persist or if you’re worried about them.

Common side effects of Telma 40 tablets are

• Hypotension (Low blood pressure): Low blood pressure is a common side effect of Telma 40 tablet. It may occur due to a drop in blood pressure, significantly when rising from a sitting or lying position. Patients should rise slowly from sitting or lying position to minimise the risk of low blood pressure.
• Upper respiratory tract infection: Upper respiratory tract infections are a common side effect of Telma 40 tablet. Symptoms of visible upper respiratory tract infections include a runny nose, sore throat, and cough. These symptoms usually disappear on their own within a few days.
• Sinus infection: Symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose, facial pain, and headache, typical side effects of Telma 40 tablet. Most patients with sinus infections will recover within a few days, with or without treatment.
• Back pain: The severity of the back pain may vary from mild to severe. Patients experiencing back pain while taking Telma 40 tablet should inform their healthcare provider.
• Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea, a less common side effect, may be mild or severe and accompanied by abdominal pain, cramping, and nausea. Patients experiencing diarrhoea while taking Telma 40 tablet should inform their healthcare provider.
• Dizziness: It may occur due to a drop in blood pressure, especially when rising from a sitting or lying position. Patients should rise slowly from a sitting or lying position to reduce the risk of dizziness.
• Headache: Headache is another common side effect of the Telma 40 tablet. It may occur due to changes in blood flow to the brain. Patients should inform their healthcare provider if they experience severe or persistent headaches.

Managing the Side effects: 

• Headache: Patients who experience headaches while taking Telma 40 tablet should take plenty of rest. Patients should notify their healthcare provider if their headaches continue or become severe.
• Back pain: Patients who experience back pain while taking Telma 40 tablet can apply heat or cold compresses to the affected area. Patients should inform their healthcare provider if back pain persists or becomes severe.
• Diarrhoea: Patients who experience diarrhoea while taking Telma 40 tablet should drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. They should also avoid foods that can aggravate diarrhoea, such as spicy or fatty foods. Patients should inform their doctor if their back diarrhoea continues or worsens.
• Upper respiratory tract infection: Patients who experience upper respiratory tract infection while taking Telma 40 tablet should take rest, stay hydrated, and avoid exposure to sick people. Consult your doctor if symptoms persist or become severe.
• Sinus infection: Patients who experience sinus infection while taking Telma 40 tablet should take rest, stay hydrated, and use saline nasal sprays or irrigation to help clear the sinuses. 
• Fatigue: Patients who experience fatigue while taking Telma 40 tablet should take rest and ensure they get enough sleep. They should also engage in regular physical activity and eat a healthy diet. 
• Hypotension (Low blood pressure): Patients who experience low blood pressure while taking Telma 40 tablet should rise slowly from sitting or lying position to reduce the risk of falls. They should also stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding activities that require alertness, such as driving. Patients should inform their healthcare provider if low blood pressure persists or worsens.
• Dizziness: To minimize the risk of falls, individuals who encounter dizziness while on Telma 40 tablet should stand up gradually from a seated or lying position. Patients should also avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving until the dizziness subsides. If dizziness persists, patients should inform their healthcare provider.

Precautions

PREGNANCY

Telma 40 tablet in early pregnancy is not recommended and must be avoided if you are over three months pregnant, as it may lead to serious harm to your baby if used at that stage. So if you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking Telma 40 tablet.

BREASTFEEDING

It is also not recommended during breastfeeding as it may pass into breast milk and harm the nursing baby. Breastfeeding women should inform their healthcare provider before taking Telma 40 tablet.

ALCOHOL

Avoid the consumption of alcohol as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure.

LIVER

Telma 40 tablet in patients with severe liver problems such as cholestasis or biliary obstruction (bile flow from the liver stops or slows) is not advised. Telma 40 tablet should be used cautiously in patients with liver diseases. Please consult your doctor before taking it.

KIDNEY

Telma 40 tablet should be taken cautiously in patients with kidney disease, narrowing of blood vessels to one or both kidneys (kidney artery stenosis) and a history of a kidney transplant. Talk to your doctor before taking the Telma 40 tablet.

USING MACHINES AND DRIVING

Patients should know that Telma 40 tablet may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Patients should wait until they understand how a drug will affect them before driving or operating equipment.

ALLERGY

You should not use Telma 40 tablet if you are allergic to telmisartan or other components in the Telma 40 tablet.

USE IN CHILDREN

The use of Telma 40 tablet in children and adolescents up to 18 years is not recommended as it may cause low blood pressure in them especially those who are dehydrated. 

USE IN OLDER PATIENTS

Telma 40 tablet should be used cautiously in patients 65 years and above. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

Interaction

It is essential to educate patients about the potential drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions, and drug-disease interactions associated with Telma 40 tablet (telmisartan) to ensure their safety and avoid potential adverse effects. The following are some interactions that patients should be aware of:

1. Drug-Drug Interactions

The following are some drug-drug interactions that patients should be aware of:

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are medications that help relax the blood vessels, reduce blood pressure and enhances oxygen and blood supply to the heart. e.g. Enalapril, Lisinopril, Ramipril.
• Angiotensin II receptor antagonists are medicines used to treat hypertension. e.g. Candesartan, Irbesartan and Aliskiren.
• Digoxin is used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythm.
• Medicines containing lithium are used to treat some types of depression. 
• Medicines that may increase blood potassium levels include salt substitutes containing potassium.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen, treat pain and inflammation.
• Heparin is used to prevent or treat blood clots.
• Immunosuppressive agents such as Cyclosporine or Tacrolimus prevent organ rejection after a transplant.
• Antibiotics such as trimethoprim treat and prevent urinary tract infections.
• Diuretics treat oedema or high blood pressure, e.g. Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Potassium-sparing diuretics, Amiloride, and Spironolactone.
• Corticosteroids are used to treat inflammatory conditions, e.g. Dexamethasone and hydrocortisone.
• Baclofen is used for muscle spasm.
• Amifostine is used in cancer chemotherapy.
• Barbiturates are used to treat seizures, e.g. phenobarbital and pentobarbital.
• Antidepressants are used to treat depression, e.g. Citalopram, Fluoxetine, and Paroxetine.
• Narcotics treat moderate to severe pain, e.g. Morphine and Codeine. 

2. Drug-Food Interactions: 

Certain food items may interact with Telma 40 tablet and affect its absorption or effectiveness. Here are some examples of drug-food interactions of Telma 40 tablet:

• High-salt foods: Consuming high-salt foods can increase blood pressure, which may counteract the effects of Telma 40 tablet in lowering blood pressure. It is recommended to limit the intake of high-salt foods while taking Telma 40 tablet.
• Potassium-rich foods: Avoid food items that are rich sources of potassium, like bananas, nuts and sweet potatoes, when taking Telma 40 tablet as it might lead to hyperkalemia or high blood potassium levels.
• Telma 40 Tablet may interact with potassium salt substitutes and potassium supplements, resulting in hyperkalaemia (high potassium levels in the blood). It may cause severe adverse effects such as irregular heartbeat and kidney failure.
• Caffeine: Consuming large amounts of caffeine, such as coffee or energy drinks, can increase blood pressure, which may counteract the effects of Telma 40. It is recommended to limit the intake of caffeine while taking Telma 40.

3. Drug-Disease Interactions

Patients with certain medical conditions may need to use Telma 40 cautiously or avoid the drug altogether. These conditions include

• Severe liver problems such as cholestasis or biliary obstruction.
• Diabetes or impaired kidney function.