Telmisartan

Medication Overview

Telmisartan is a medication used to treat hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, belonging to the class of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs). Its primary action is to block the binding of angiotensin II to its receptor, causing vasodilation, lowering blood pressure, and reducing cardiac workload. This drug is commonly used to control chronic hypertension and to help improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction.

Clinical studies show that telmisartan not only effectively lowers blood pressure but also reduces the risk of cardiovascular events, especially providing additional protection for patients with diabetes or kidney disease. It should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise for optimal efficacy.

Brand Names and Generic Name

The generic name of this medication is Telmisartan. Common brand names in Taiwan and Hong Kong include:

Different brands may have varying dosage strengths, and patients should choose the appropriate formulation based on their doctor's prescription.

Drug Classification

It belongs to the class of "Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers" (ARBs). These drugs selectively block the AT₁ receptor for angiotensin II, reducing vasoconstriction and aldosterone secretion, thereby lowering blood pressure and protecting renal function.

Indications

Mainly used for:

Patients with diabetic nephropathy, as it can also slow the progression of renal function decline.

Common Side Effects

Mild side effects include:

These symptoms usually diminish as the body adjusts to the medication.

Serious side effects requiring immediate medical attention:

If experiencing difficulty breathing or swelling, stop the medication and seek medical care immediately.

Warnings and Precautions

Contraindications: Not to be used in women during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, as it may harm the fetus. Patients with severe renal impairment or bilateral renal artery stenosis should use with caution.

Regular monitoring of blood pressure, serum potassium, and liver and kidney functions is recommended during treatment. Diabetic patients should monitor blood glucose levels, as ARBs may affect glucose metabolism. Women planning pregnancy should inform their doctor immediately for medication adjustment.

Drug Interactions

Concurrent use with the following medications may increase side effects:

Consult your doctor before taking any prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or herbal supplements.

Dosage and Administration

The starting dose is usually 40mg once daily, adjustable up to a maximum of 80mg based on blood pressure response. It can be used alone or combined with other antihypertensive agents such as diuretics. The tablet should be swallowed whole, taken with or without food, but at a fixed time each day.

Patients with heart failure may start at a lower dose (e.g., 20mg per dose) and should be used alongside other heart failure treatments. Elderly or patients with impaired renal function should have dosage adjustments; do not alter the dose without medical advice.

Missed Dose

If you remember to take the missed dose within 2 hours of the scheduled time, take it immediately. If it is close to the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.

Overdose Management

Overdose may cause severe hypotension or dizziness. Seek medical attention immediately. Treatment may include gastric lavage, intravenous fluids, or vasopressors. Do not attempt to treat overdose yourself; go to the emergency room for professional care.

 


Now, I will generate five frequently asked questions about telmisartan in Traditional Chinese, focusing on usage, side effects, drug interactions, lifestyle advice, and common patient concerns. The questions will be unique and not repetitive, avoiding basic definitions already covered in the main text. The questions will be formatted with tags for the questions, and answers will be concise, practical, and informative to assist patients and caregivers in proper medication use.

常見問題

服用替米沙坦時是否需要特別注意飲食中的鉀攝取?

替米沙坦本身不會直接影響血鉀濃度,但若患者同時使用利尿劑或其他可能升高血鉀的藥物(如保鉀利尿劑或血管緊張素轉換酶抑制劑),則需定期監測血鉀水平。單獨使用替米沙坦時,一般無需刻意限制日常鉀攝取,但腎功能不全患者應遵醫囑調整。

替米沙坦可能引起哪些常見副作用?如何緩解?

常見副作用包括頭暈、頭痛或疲倦,通常在身體適應藥物後減輕。若出現持續性頭暈或肌肉痠痛,建議先確認是否為血壓過低症狀,並避免突然改變體位。嚴重不適需立即停藥並就醫,不可自行調整劑量。

替米沙坦與非類固醇消炎止痛藥(NSAIDs)合併使用有何風險?

與NSAIDs(如布洛芬)合併使用可能降低替米沙坦的降壓效果,並增加腎功能異常的風險。若需短期使用止痛藥,應先告知醫師正在服用替米沙坦,並密切監測血壓及尿量變化。

懷孕或計劃懷孕的女性能否使用替米沙坦?

替米沙坦在懷孕第二 trimester後可能對胎兒造成危害,懷孕或計劃懷孕的女性應立即告知醫師,並在懷孕初期評估替代治療方案。藥物可能影響胎盤血流,因此需嚴格遵循醫師指示調整用藥。

長期服用替米沙坦期間,如何判斷是否需要調整劑量?

血壓控制情況是調整劑量的主要依據。若日常血壓測量值持續高於目標範圍(如高於140/90 mmHg),或出現不明原因的暈眩、暈倒,應立即回診評估。醫師可能根據腎功能、血鉀值及副作用嚴重度調整治療計畫。

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