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Medically Approved

Telmisartan oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

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Form and strengthsDosageFAQHow it’s takenCouponOverdoseAsk your doctorBoxed warning
Doctors prescribe telmisartan oral tablet for high blood pressure and to lower the risk of certain heart and blood vessel problems in adults. You take it by mouth once per day.
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Updated on

This article describes telmisartan oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for telmisartan. If you want to know more about telmisartan oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Telmisartan oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Micardis. If you have questions about taking Micardis, talk with your doctor.

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm

Telmisartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

See the end of this article for more information about this warning.

Form and strengths of telmisartan

Telmisartan oral tablet comes as follows:

  • Form: oral tablet, which you’ll take by swallowing
  • Strengths: 20 milligrams (mg), 40 mg, and 80 mg

Dosage of telmisartan

This article describes the recommended dosages for telmisartan oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of telmisartan oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of telmisartan in adults

The table below lists the starting, maintenance, and maximum daily dosages of telmisartan oral tablet for its approved uses. Dosages are in milligrams (mg).

PurposeStarting dosageMaintenance dosageMaximum dosage
high blood pressure40 mg once per day20–80 mg once per day80 mg once per day
reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, and death from heart disease80 mg once per day80 mg once per day80 mg once per day

Dosage adjustments for telmisartan

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of telmisartan oral tablet based on several factors. These include:

  • the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
  • your age
  • other health conditions you may have
  • your liver and kidney function

Missed dose of telmisartan

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of telmisartan oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of telmisartan oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

  • downloading a reminder app on your phone
  • setting an alarm
  • putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about telmisartan oral tablet and its dosage.

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When is the best time to take my telmisartan dose, morning or night?

Telmisartan oral tablet can be taken any time during the day. Follow your doctor’s recommendation on when to take it.

Can I take 160 mg of telmisartan daily?

The maximum recommended dosage of telmisartan is 80 milligrams (mg) per day. In studies, a dose of 160 mg daily was not found to be more effective at lowering blood pressure than 80 mg daily. If you have questions about your telmisartan dosage, talk with your doctor. Always follow their dosage recommendation.

Does telmisartan have a dosage of twice per day?

No, it’s not recommended to take telmisartan twice per day. If you’re taking telmisartan once daily and it isn’t working for you, your doctor may recommend a different medication for you. Or they may prescribe another medication to take along with telmisartan.

Is telmisartan taken long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe telmisartan oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take telmisartan oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

How telmisartan is taken

You’ll swallow telmisartan oral tablet once per day, with or without food. Do not split, crush, or chew the tablets.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, read this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Telmisartan coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for telmisartan when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

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Overdose of telmisartan

It’s important that you do not take more telmisartan oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of telmisartan overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

What to do if you take too much telmisartan

If you think you’ve taken too much telmisartan, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for telmisartan oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of telmisartan oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take telmisartan oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Would a different dosage of telmisartan oral tablet raise or lower my risk of side effects?
  • Will you change my dosage of telmisartan oral tablet if I take other medications with it?
  • Will you change my telmisartan oral tablet dosage if it isn’t working for me?

Boxed warning for telmisartan

Telmisartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Taking telmisartan during pregnancy can cause harm to a fetus or loss of the pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking telmisartan, tell your doctor right away and stop taking the medication as soon as possible.

You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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