Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES)

Uses

Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used for treatment of hypertension and Cardiovascular (CV) risk reduction in patients who are used for ACE inhibitors.

Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Cardiovascular Events, Diabetic Nephropathy, Heart Failure, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

How Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) works

Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) interferes with the binding of angiotensin II to the angiotensin II AT₁-receptor by binding reversibly and selectively to the receptors in vascular smooth muscle and the adrenal gland. As angiotensin II is a vasoconstrictor, which also stimulates the synthesis and release of aldosterone, blockage of its effects results in decreases in systemic vascular resistance. Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) does not inhibit the angiotensin converting enzyme, other hormone receptors, or ion channels. Studies also suggest that telmisartan is a partial agonist of PPARγ, which is an established target for antidiabetic drugs. This suggests that telmisartan can improve carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, as well as control insulin resistance without causing the side effects that are associated with full PPARγ activators.

Dosage

Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) dosage

Hypertension: Dosage must be individualized. The usual starting dose of Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) tablets is 40 mg once a day. Blood pressure response is dose-related over the range of 20 to 80 mg

Most of the antihypertensive effect is apparent within 2 weeks and maximal reduction is generally attained after 4 weeks. When additional blood pressure reduction beyond that achieved with 80 mg Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) is required, adiuretic may be added.

No initial dosage adjustment is necessary for elderly patients or patients with renal impairment, including those on hemodialysis. Patients ondialysismay develop orthostatic hypotension; their blood pressure should be closely monitored.

Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: The recommended dose of Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) tablets is 80 mg once a day and can be administered with or without food. It is not known whether doses lower than 80 mg of telmisartan are effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

When initiating Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) therapy for cardiovascular risk reduction, monitoring of blood pressure is recommended, and if appropriate, adjustment of medications that lower blood pressure may be necessary.

Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) tablets may be administered with other antihypertensive agents with or without food.

Side Effects

Most people tolerate telmisartan well. Side effects are usually minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by physician. The most common telmisartan side effects include-Upper respiratory infection such as the common cold or flu up to 7 percent of people, Back pain up to 3 percent of people, Diarrhea up to 3 percent of people, Inflammation of the sinuses up to 3 percent of people.

Toxicity

Intravenous LD₅₀ in rats is 150-200 mg/kg in males and 200 to 250 mg/kg in females. Acute oral toxicity is low: no deaths and no changes occurred in rats or dogs at 2000 mg/kg, the highest dose tested. Limited data are available with regard to overdosage in humans. The most likely manifestations of overdosage with telmisartan would be hypotension, dizziness and tachycardia; bradycardia could occur from parasympathetic (vagal) stimulation.

Precaution

Use of drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin system during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy reduces fetal renal function and increases fetal and neonatal morbidity and death. Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) may potentially cause extreme low blood pressure or a decrease in kidney function. Hyperkalemia may occur in patients on ARBs, particularly in patients with advanced renal impairment, heart failure, on renal replacement therapy or on potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium containing salt substitutes or other drugs that increase potassium levels.

Interaction

When certain medicines are taken together, there is a possibility of developing drug interactions. With Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES), drugs such as potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics may cause an interaction. When Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) was co-administered with digoxin, median increases in digoxin peak plasma concentration (49%) and in through concentration (20%) where observed. Therefore, monitor digoxin levels when initiating, adjusting and discontinuing Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) for the purpose of keeping the digoxin level within the therapeutic range. NSAID use may lead to increase risk of renal impairment and loss of antihypertensive effect. Monitor renal function periodically in patients receiving Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) and NSAID therapy.

Food Interaction

• Take with or without food. Bioavailability may be slightly reduced by taking telmisartan with food.

[Moderate] GENERALLY AVOID: Moderate-to-high dietary intake of potassium, especially salt substitutes, may increase the risk of hyperkalemia in some patients who are using angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs).

ARBs can promote hyperkalemia through inhibition of angiotensin II-induced aldosterone secretion.

Patients with diabetes, heart failure, dehydration, or renal insufficiency have a greater risk of developing hyperkalemia.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should receive dietary counseling and be advised to not use potassium-containing salt substitutes or over-the-counter potassium supplements without consulting their physician.

If salt substitutes are used concurrently, regular monitoring of serum potassium levels is recommended.

Patients should also be advised to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of hyperkalemia such as weakness, irregular heartbeat, confusion, tingling of the extremities, or feelings of heaviness in the legs.

Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) Alcohol interaction

[Moderate]

Many psychotherapeutic and CNS-active agents (e.g., anxiolytics, sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, opioids, alcohol, muscle relaxants) exhibit hypotensive effects, especially during initiation of therapy and dose escalation.

Coadministration with antihypertensives and other hypotensive agents, in particular vasodilators and alpha-blockers, may result in additive effects on blood pressure and orthostasis.

Caution and close monitoring for development of hypotension is advised during coadministration of these agents.

Some authorities recommend avoiding alcohol in patients receiving vasodilating antihypertensive drugs.

Patients should be advised to avoid rising abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position and to notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, orthostasis, or tachycardia.

Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) Drug Interaction

Moderate: aspirin, aspirin, empagliflozin, pregabalinUnknown: ubiquinone, rosuvastatin, apixaban, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, sitagliptin, atorvastatin, metoprolol, metoprolol, acetaminophen, levothyroxine, acetaminophen, cyanocobalamin, ascorbic acid, cholecalciferol, rivaroxaban, cetirizine

Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) Disease Interaction

Major: diabetes, angioedema, hypotensionModerate: CHF, hyperkalemia, renal artery stenosis, renal impairment, renal/liver disease

Volume of Distribution

• 500 L

Elimination Route

Absolute bioavailability depends on dosage. Food slightly decreases the bioavailability (a decrease of about 6% is seen when the 40-mg dose is administered with food).

Half Life

Bi-exponential decay kinetics with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 24 hours.

Clearance

• >800 mL/min

Elimination Route

Following either intravenous or oral administration of 14C-labeled telmisartan, most of the administered dose (>97%) was eliminated unchanged in feces via biliary excretion; only minute amounts were found in the urine (0.91% and 0.49% of total radioactivity, respectively).

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) has been assigned to pregnancy categories C (use during first trimester) by the FDA. When pregnancy is detected or expected, Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) should be discontinued as soon as possible. The use of drugs that act directly on the RAA system during the second and third trimesters has been associated with fetal and neonatal injury, including hypotension, neonatal skull hypoplasia, anuria, reversible or irreversible renal failure and death. There are no data on the excretion of Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) into human milk, due to the potential for serious adverse effects in the nursing infant, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug.

Contraindication

Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) is contraindicated in conditions like Pregnancy, Adjunct in treatment of opioid dependence, Dry or painful cough. Astel (ANTIHYPERTENSIVES) is also contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to telmisartan.

Special Warning

Renal Impairment: Severe impairment or on haemodialysis: Initially, 20 mg once daily.

Hepatic Impairment: Mild to moderate: Max: 40 mg once daily. Severe: Contraindicated.

Acute Overdose

Symptoms: Hypotension, bradycardia, tachycardia, dizziness, acute renal failure and elevated serum creatinine.

Management: Supportive and symptomatic treatment. Induction of emesis and/or gastric lavage. Activated charcoal may be useful. Salt and volume replacement should be given immediately if hypotension occurs and place patient in supine position.

Storage Condition

Store in a cool and dry place, protected from light. Keep out of children’s reach

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