Telmicard Plus

Telmicard Plus Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Thiazides such as hydrochlorothiazide promote water loss from the body (diuretics). They inhibit Na+/Cl- reabsorption from the distal convoluted tubules in the kidneys. Thiazides also cause loss of potassium and an increase in serum uric acid. Thiazides are often used to treat hypertension, but their hypotensive effects are not necessarily due to their diuretic activity. Thiazides have been shown to prevent hypertension-related morbidity and mortality although the mechanism is not fully understood. Thiazides cause vasodilation by activating calcium-activated potassium channels (large conductance) in vascular smooth muscles and inhibiting various carbonic anhydrases in vascular tissue.

Hydrochlorothiazide prevents the reabsorption of sodium and water from the distal convoluted tubule, allowing for the increased elimination of water in the urine. Hydrochlorothiazide has a wide therapeutic window as dosing is individualized and can range from 25-100mg. Hydrochlorothiazide should be used with caution in patients with reduced kidney or liver function.

Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). Angiotensin II is the principal pressor agent of the renin-angiotensin system, with effects that include vasoconstriction, stimulation of synthesis and release of aldosterone, cardiac stimulation, and renal reabsorption of sodium. Telmisartan blocks the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II by selectively blocking the binding of angiotensin II to the AT1 receptor in many tissues, such as vascular smooth muscle and the adrenal gland. Its action is therefore independent of the pathways for angiotensin II synthesis.

There is also an AT2 receptor found in many tissues, but AT2 is not known to be associated with cardiovascular homeostasis. Telmisartan has a much greater affinity ( > 3,000 fold) for the AT1 receptor than for the AT2 receptor.

Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system with ACE inhibitors, which inhibit the biosynthesis of angiotensin II from angiotensin I, is widely used in the treatment of hypertension. ACE inhibitors also inhibit the degradation of bradykinin, a reaction also catalyzed by ACE. Because telmisartan does not inhibit ACE (kininase II), it does not affect the response to bradykinin. Whether this difference has clinical relevance is not yet known. Telmisartan does not bind to or block other hormone receptors or ion channels known to be important in cardiovascular regulation.

Blockade of the angiotensin II receptor inhibits the negative regulatory feedback of angiotensin II on renin secretion, but the resulting increased plasma renin activity and angiotensin II circulating levels do not overcome the effect of telmisartan on blood pressure.

Telmisartan is an orally active nonpeptide angiotensin II antagonist that acts on the AT1 receptor subtype. It has the highest affinity for the AT1 receptor among commercially available ARBS and has minimal affinity for the AT2 receptor. New studies suggest that telmisartan may also have PPARγ agonistic properties that could potentially confer beneficial metabolic effects, as PPARγ is a nuclear receptor that regulates specific gene transcription, and whose target genes are involved in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as anti-inflammatory responses. This observation is currently being explored in clinical trials. Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). Angiotensin II is the principal pressor agent of the renin-angiotensin system, with effects that include vasoconstriction, stimulation of synthesis and release of aldosterone, cardiac stimulation, and renal reabsorption of sodium. Telmisartan works by blocking the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone secretory effects of angiotensin II.

Telmicard Plus
Uses
Dosage
Side Effect
Precautions
Interactions
Uses during Pregnancy
Uses during Breastfeeding
Accute Overdose
Food Interaction
Half Life
Volume of Distribution
Clearance
Interaction With other Medicine
Contradiction
Storage

Trade Name	Telmicard Plus
Generic	Hydrochlorothiazide + Telmisartan
Type
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer
Available Country	Lebanon
Last Updated:	September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am

Uses

Hydrochlorothiazide is used for-

Edema associated with congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrohosis, various forms of renal dysfunction and corticosteroid and estrogen therapy
Management of hypertension either as the sole therapeutic agent or to enhance the effectiveness of other antihypertensive drugs in the more severe form of hypertension
Management of diabetes insipidus
Management of proximal renal tubular acidosis
Idiopathic hypercalciuria and calcium nephrolithiasis, osteoporosis and exercise induced hyperkalemia

Telmisartan 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.

Telmicard Plus is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Acidosis, Renal Tubular, Calcium Nephrolithiasis, Cirrhosis of the Liver, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Diabetes Insipidus, Edema, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), Hypertension,Essential, Hypokalemia caused by diuretics, Nephrotic Syndrome, Premenstrual tension with edema, Sodium retention, Stroke, Prophylaxis of preeclampsiaCardiovascular Events, Diabetic Nephropathy, Heart Failure, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

How Telmicard Plus works

Hydrochlorothiazide is transported from the circulation into epithelial cells of the distal convoluted tubule by the organic anion transporters OAT1, OAT3, and OAT4. From these cells, hydrochlorothiazide is transported to the lumen of the tubule by multidrug resistance associated protein 4 (MRP4).

Normally, sodium is reabsorbed into epithelial cells of the distal convoluted tubule and pumped into the basolateral interstitium by a sodium-potassium ATPase, creating a concentration gradient between the epithelial cell and the distal convoluted tubule that promotes the reabsorption of water.

Hydrochlorothiazide acts on the proximal region of the distal convoluted tubule, inhibiting reabsorption by the sodium-chloride symporter, also known as Solute Carrier Family 12 Member 3 (SLC12A3). Inhibition of SLC12A3 reduces the magnitude of the concentration gradient between the epithelial cell and distal convoluted tubule, reducing the reabsorption of water.

Telmisartan 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. Telmisartan 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

Telmicard Plus dosage

Adults-

For Edema: The usual adult dosage is 25 to 100 mg daily as a single or divided dose.

For Control of Hypertension: The usual initial dose in adults is 25 mg daily given as a single dose. The dose may be increased to 50 mg daily, given as a single or two divided doses. Doses above 50 mg are often associated with marked reductions in serum potassium. In some patients (especially the elderly) an initial dose of 12.5 mg daily may be sufficient.

Infants and children-

For diuresis and for control of hypertension: The usual pediatric dosage is 1 to 2 mg/kg/day in single or two divided doses, not to exceed 37.5 mg per day in infants up to 2 years of age or 100 mg per day in children 2 to 12 years of age. In infants less than 6 months of age, doses up to 3 mg/kg/day in two divided doses may be required.

Hypertension: Dosage must be individualized. The usual starting dose of Telmisartan 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 Telmisartan 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 Telmisartan 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 Telmisartan therapy for cardiovascular risk reduction, monitoring of blood pressure is recommended, and if appropriate, adjustment of medications that lower blood pressure may be necessary.

Telmisartan tablets may be administered with other antihypertensive agents with or without food.

Side Effects

Generally, Hydrochlorothiazide is well tolerated. However, a few side effects may occur like weakness, restlessness, dizziness, headache, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, sialadenitis, cramping, constipation, gastric irritation, nausea, anorexia, and hypotension. In rare case hyperglycemia, glycosuria, hyperuricemia and muscle spasm may occur.

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

The oral LD₅₀ of hydrochlorothiazide is >10g/kg in mice and rats.

Patients experiencing an overdose may present with hypokalemia, hypochloremia, and hyponatremia. Treat patients with symptomatic and supportive treatment including fluids and electrolytes. Vasopressors may be administered to treat hypotension and oxygen may be given for respiratory impairment.

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

Thiazides should be used with caution in patients with severe renal disease, impaired hepatic function or progressive liver disease and gout.

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. Telmisartan 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

Alcohol, Barbiturates, or Narcotics: Potentiation of orthostatic hypotension may occur.

Antidiabetic Drugs (oral agents and insulin): Thiazides can impair control of diabetes mellitus by diet and antidiabetic Drugs. Antihypertensive Drugs: Additive effect or potentiation.

When certain medicines are taken together, there is a possibility of developing drug interactions. With Telmisartan, drugs such as potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics may cause an interaction. When Telmisartan 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 Telmisartan 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 Telmisartan and NSAID therapy.

Volume of Distribution

The volume of distribution varies widely from one study to another with values of 0.83-4.19L/kg.

500 L

Elimination Route

An oral dose of hydrochlorothiazide is 65-75% bioavailable, with a T_max of 1-5 hours, and a C_max of 70-490ng/mL following doses of 12.5-100mg. When taken with a meal, bioavailability is 10% lower, C_max is 20% lower, and T_max increases from 1.6 to 2.9 hours.

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

The plasma half life of hydrochlorothiazide is 5.6-14.8h.

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

Clearance

The renal clearance of hydrochlorothiazide in patients with normal renal function is 285mL/min. Patients with a creatinine clearance of 31-80mL/min have an average hydroxychlorothiazide renal clearance of 75mL/min, and patients with a creatinine clearance of ≤30mL/min have an average hydroxychlorothiazide renal clearance of 17mL/min.

>800 mL/min

Elimination Route

Hydrochlorothiazide is eliminated in the urine as unchanged hydrochlorothiazide.

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

Pregnancy: Evidence of fetal risk in hydrochlorothiazide therapy is found, but it is indicated if benefits outweigh risks. Thiazides are indicated in pregnancy when edema is due to pathologic causes.\

Lactation: Neonatal side effects have been seen incase of hydrochlorothiazide therapy and therefore it is not recommended.

Telmisartan has been assigned to pregnancy categories C (use during first trimester) by the FDA. When pregnancy is detected or expected, Telmisartan 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 Telmisartan 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

Hydrochlorothiazide is contraindicated to the patients of anuria and those who are sensitive to hydrochlorothiazide or to other sulfonamide-derived drugs. Therapy is not to be initiated in diabetes mellitus.

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

Special Warning

Elderly: in some patients specially the elderly an initial dose of 12.5 mg daily may be sufficient.

Children: An initial dose for children has been 1 to 2 mg per kg body-weight in 2 divided doses. Infants under 6 months may need doses upto 3 mg per kg daily.

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

The most common signs and symptoms observed are those caused by electrolyte depletion (hypokalemia, hypochloremia, hyponatremia) and dehydration resulting from excessive diuresis. Rarely, autoimmune hemolytic anemia and other hypersensitivity reactions may complicate the picture.

In the event of over dosage, symptomatic and supportive measures should be employed. Emesis should be induced or gastric lavage performed. Correct dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, hepatic coma and hypotension by established procedures. Hemodialysis can be used successfully to treat severe intoxication.

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.