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Micardis Plus

(telmisartan - hydrochlorothiazide)

In this factsheet:
• How does Micardis Plus work? What will it do for me?
• How should I use Micardis Plus?
• What form(s) does Micardis Plus come in?
• Who should NOT take Micardis Plus?
• What side effects are possible with Micardis Plus?
• Are there any other precautions or warnings for Micardis Plus?
• What other drugs could interact with Micardis Plus?

DIN (Drug Identification Number)

Are you at risk for a stroke?

Every 10 minutes on average, a Canadian has a stroke. Could you be next? There are many things that increase your risk of a stroke (called stroke risk factors).

Stroke risk factors

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Some are things you can't control:

• age over 65
• male gender (women are also at risk after menopause)
• family history of stroke
• First Nations, African, or South Asian ancestry
• personal history of a stroke or TIA ("mini-stroke")

Fortunately, there are also many things you may be able to control:

Lifestyle issues:

• being overweight
• drinking too much alcohol (more than 2 drinks per day or 10 drinks per week for women or more than 3 drinks per day or 15 drinks per week for men)
• unhealthy diet (low in fruits and vegetables and high in sodium and saturated or trans fat)
• lack of physical activity
• smoking
• stress

Getting these medical conditions under control can go a long way toward reducing the risk of a stroke.

• atrial fibrillation
• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol

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Some people may have other risk factors for stroke. Talk to your doctor to find out if you're at risk of a stroke, and what you can do to reduce your risk.

To find out your risk of a stroke in the next 10 years, use the stroke risk assessment calculator.

Other resources about stroke risk reduction:

• Stroke and atrial fibrillation: are you at risk?
• Why is stroke risk reduction so important?
• When to see your doctor

How does Micardis Plus work? What will it do for me?

This is a combination product that contains two medications used to lower hypertension (high blood pressure): telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide. It is used to treat high blood pressure for people who require treatment with both telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide.

Telmisartan belongs to a class of medications called angiotensin II blockers, which help to lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water pill) that helps control blood pressure by getting rid of excess salt and water.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How should I use Micardis Plus?

The recommended dose is 1 tablet once daily. This medication is intended to be used by people who have not had their blood pressure well-controlled with just telmisartan, or by people who have had doses of telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide already established.

The medication can be taken with or without food, but it should be taken consistently with respect to food intake.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children. It should be left in the protective blisters until immediately before it is to be taken.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

What form(s) does Micardis Plus come in?

80 mg/12.5 mg
Each bilayered, oblong-shaped, uncoated tablet, the telmisartan layer being white and the hydrochlorothiazide layer being red, marked "BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM" and "H8" on the white layer, contains telmisartan 80 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: iron oxide (red), lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, maize starch, meglumine, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, sodium hydroxide, sodium starch glycolate, and sorbitol.

80 mg/25 mg
Each bilayered, oblong-shaped, uncoated tablet, the telmisartan layer being white and the hydrochlorothiazide layer being yellow, marked "BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM" and "H9" on the white layer, contains telmisartan 80 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: iron oxide yellow, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, maize starch, meglumine, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, sodium hydroxide, sodium starch glycolate, and sorbitol.

Who should NOT take Micardis Plus?

Telmisartan - hydrochlorothiazide should not be taken by anyone who:

• is allergic to telmisartan, hydrochlorothiazide, sulfa medications, or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• is pregnant or breast-feeding
• has anuria (is able to pass little or no urine)

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