Misar-H 40/12.5mg Tablets

Telmisartan with hydrochlorothiazide treats high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults when telmisartan on its own has not lowered it enough.

• Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It stops a natural hormone from narrowing your blood vessels, so they relax.
• Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water tablet). It makes you pass more urine, which also lowers blood pressure.

Working in two different ways, together they lower blood pressure more than either alone. Controlling blood pressure helps protect against stroke, heart attack and kidney damage.

Take it exactly as your doctor tells you, usually once a day at the same time.

• You can take it with or without food.
• Swallow the tablet whole with water or another non-alcoholic drink.
• If you forget a dose, take it when you remember the same day. If you miss a whole day, just take your normal dose the next day. Never take two doses together.
• Keep taking it every day, even if you feel well, unless your doctor tells you to stop.
• Your doctor may check your blood pressure, kidneys and blood salts (such as potassium) from time to time.

The most common side effect is dizziness. Others can include:

• light-headedness when standing up
• dry mouth, diarrhoea or wind
• muscle cramps or back pain
• low potassium, which can cause weakness or cramps
• erection problems

Stop taking it and get medical help straight away if you have:

• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing or swallowing
• blistering or peeling skin
• signs of a serious infection, such as fever with feeling very unwell
• sudden blurred vision or eye pain
• severe breathlessness

Do not take it if you are allergic to either medicine or to sulfonamide medicines, have severe liver or kidney disease, or have diabetes or kidney problems and take aliskiren.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist first if you:

• have liver, kidney or heart problems, gout, diabetes or lupus
• have had skin cancer, or have vomiting, diarrhoea or are dehydrated
• have had lung problems after taking hydrochlorothiazide
• take lithium, digoxin, other blood pressure medicines (especially ACE inhibitors), potassium supplements or salt substitutes, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, steroids or diabetes medicines

No special temperature is needed. Keep the tablets in the original pack to protect them from moisture, and out of the reach of children.

Pregnancy: not recommended in pregnancy and must not be taken after the first 3 months, as it can seriously harm the baby. Tell your doctor straight away if you are or may be pregnant.

Breastfeeding: not recommended.

Sun: hydrochlorothiazide can make skin more sensitive to sunlight and, with long-term use, may raise the risk of some skin cancers. Protect your skin and report any new skin changes.

Alcohol and driving: alcohol can make dizziness worse. Do not drive if you feel dizzy or faint.