Telmisartan/amlodipine (By mouth)

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.
• Take this medicine at the same time each day.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not remove tablets from the blister pack until you are ready to use them.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using other medicines for high blood pressure (such as enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril, Accupril®, Altace®, Lotrel®, or Zestril®) or a diuretic or water pill (such as amiloride, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, torsemide, triamterene, Aldactone®, Demadex®, Dyrenium®, Lasix®, or Midamor®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using digoxin (Digitek®, Lanoxin®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), simvastatin (Vytorin®, Zocor®), or NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, celecoxib, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, or Motrin®).
• Ask your doctor before you use potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby, especially after the first 3 months of pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control to prevent pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, congestive heart failure, heart or blood vessel problems, or a mineral imbalance (such as high potassium or low sodium in the blood). Tell your doctor if you are on dialysis.
• This medicine could lower your blood pressure too much and cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Stand or sit up slowly if you are dizzy. This is more likely to happen when you begin to use the medicine or if you become dehydrated.
• Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain that is worse than usual, trouble breathing, nausea or vomiting, pain or discomfort in your arms, jaw, back, or neck, feel faint, or you are sweating. This medicine may worsen the symptoms of an existing heart problem.
• Check with your doctor right away if you have rapid weight gain or swelling of your hands, ankles, or feet. These may be symptoms of worsening kidney problems.
• This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it will help lower it and keep it down. Even if you feel well, do not stop using this medicine without asking your doctor. You may have to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blood in the urine, lower back pain, side pain, or sharp back pain just below the ribs
• Change in how much or how often you urinate
• Chest pain
• Chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating, faintness
• Confusion, body weakness, shortness of breath, or numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, and body aches
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Rapid weight gain
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Back pain

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Introduction

Amlodipine (am-LOE-di-peen), Telmisartan (tel-mi-SAR-tan)

Treats high blood pressure. A lower blood pressure will reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. This medicine is a combination of an angiotensin receptor blocker and a calcium channel blocker.

Brand Name(s)

Twynsta