Telmisartan Hydrochlorothiazide (Micardis HCT) Uses

Telmisartan hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Hypertension is a risk factor for coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, kidney failure, and damage to other organs in the body.

The two blood pressure medicines, telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide, have an additive antihypertensive effect. They are used to lower blood pressure when one medication alone is not successful in doing so. The combination is also used when either medication causes dose-limiting side effects. For example, if you have bothersome side effects on hydrochlorothiazide alone, your doctor may prescribe the combination of telmisartan hydrochlorothiazide with a lower dose of hydrochlorothiazide and telmisartan added on to achieve an adequate reduction in blood pressure.

There may be other uses of telmisartan hydrochlorothiazide—your pharmacist or doctor can give you further drug information.

Telmisartan Hydrochlorothiazide (Micardis HCT) Mechanism of Action

Telmisartan belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers or ARBs. It blocks the action of a natural substance called angiotensin in the body that causes tightening or narrowing of the blood vessels. This medicine lowers blood pressure by causing relaxation or widening of blood vessels. 

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic or water pill. It lowers blood pressure by helping the kidneys remove excess salt and water from the body.

Telmisartan Hydrochlorothiazide (Micardis HCT) Doses

Telmisartan hydrochlorothiazide is available in oral tablet form in the following fixed dose combinations:

• Telmisartan / hydrochlorothiazide 40 mg / 12.5 mg
• Telmisartan / hydrochlorothiazide 80 mg /12.5 mg
• Telmisartan / hydrochlorothiazide 80 mg / 25 mg

Micardis HCT is a fixed dose combination of two antihypertensive agents (telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide). It is used for the treatment of hypertension in people who do not respond to either medication alone or to other blood pressure medications.

If you are currently taking telmisartan monotherapy 80 mg once daily and your blood pressure is not well controlled, your doctor will start you on Micardis HCT  80 mg / 12.5 mg by mouth once daily. This dose can be increased up to 160 mg / 25 mg after 2-4 weeks, if needed.

If you are currently taking hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg once daily and your blood pressure is not adequately controlled, or your blood pressure is controlled but you have hypokalemia (low potassium), your doctor will start you on Micardis HCT 80 mg / 12.5 mg once daily. This dose can be increased up to 160 mg / 25 mg after 2-4 weeks, if needed.

If you are taking telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide tablets individually (as two separate pills), your doctor may instead prescribe Micardis HCT at the corresponding dose for the sake of convenience.

Your doctor may prescribe Micardis HCT alone or with other antihypertensive drugs.

If you have hepatic insufficiency (liver disease), you may need to take a lower dose of telmisartan hydrochlorothiazide. This drug is contraindicated in people with severe hepatic insufficiency.