Big picture summary
Sartel is a brand name for the antihypertensive agent telmisartan, a member of the angiotensin II receptor blocker class. It is primarily prescribed to lower raised blood pressure and to help protect the heart and kidneys by preventing angiotensin II from narrowing blood vessels.
In the United Kingdom telmisartan may be supplied under its generic name or under other brand names such as Micardis. The range of tablet strengths commonly seen worldwide includes 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg; this guide focuses on information relevant to the 40 mg presentation but applies broadly to the class.
Telmisartan works by relaxing vascular smooth muscle which reduces cardiac workload and improves organ perfusion. For more on when it is prescribed, see Timing of Sartel Use.
How Sartel Is Used
Clinicians choose telmisartan for several cardiovascular indications of. Typical reasons to prescribe include:
- Long term control of hypertension to decrease stroke and heart attack risk.
- Reduction of cardiovascular risk in selected high risk patients, often as part of an overall strategy.
- An an alternate path to ACE inhibitors for patients who experience an ACE inhibitor induced cough or intolerance.
If you are not sure whether Sartel suits your situation, consult your prescriber or pharmacist and look over who should avoid Sartel and risk mitigation through protective guidelines and monitoring of operational health before counseling starts.
Dosing Instructions and Administration
Doses should be personalised by a healthcare professional. Do not alter the amount you take unless advised by a medical professional.
- Typical adult starting doses range from 20 mg to 40 mg once daily; many patients remain on 40 mg daily. Where needed, the dose may be increased to 80 mg under supervision.
- Take the tablet at the same time each day, swallow with water. Food does not usually affect absorption significantly.
- In older adults or people with impaired renal or hepatic function, clinicians often start low and monitor response and blood tests.
Follow any instructions on monitoring of operational health frequency for blood pressure, kidney function and serum potassium. For a brief reminder about i forgot to take the prescribed doses see Advice for a Dose taken incompletely.
Untaken medication dose Management Tips
When a dose is forgotten, take it at once upon remembering, unless the next dose is due soon. If it is near the time for the next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your normal regimen. Do not take two doses at once to cover a missed tablet.
Drug she overdosed scenario Care Protocols
Symptoms of taking too much telmisartan include marked lowering of blood pressure, dizziness and fainting. If an overdosed on medication is suspected seek urgent medical attention or contact NHS 111 for advice. Bring the medication packaging with you to help clinicians identify the product and dose.
Safety Measures and Surveillance
Before and during treatment your clinician may check kidney function and electrolytes and adapt the dose if necessary.
- Impaired kidney function or liver function: adjustment and closer real time monitoring of systems may be required.
- Volume depletion or heavy diuretic use: risk of symptomatic low blood pressure is greater.
- The illness referred to as diabetes and combined renin angiotensin system agents: avoid combinations with aliskiren in certain patients; follow specialist advice.
- Potassium levels: telmisartan can elevate potassium; avoid high dose potassium supplements or salt substitutes unless told otherwise by a clinician.
- Driving and operating machinery: some people experience dizziness, particularly when starting treatment or after a dose increase; test your tolerance before driving.
During gestation and lactation considerations are discussed under Who should stay away from Sartel.
Who should keep away from Sartel
- Pregnant women: angiotensin receptor blockers are contraindicated in the second and third trimesters and are usually avoided in pregnancy overall. If pregnancy is planned or suspected, contact your prescriber immediately.
- Breastfeeding: telmisartan is usually not recommended while breastfeeding because small amounts may pass into breast milk.
- Known hypersensitivity: do not take telmisartan if you have an allergy to it or to any excipient in the tablet.
- The kid crowd: routine paediatric use is not typical and should only be under specialist care.
Adverse Outcome May Occur
Many patients tolerate telmisartan. When incidental outcomes occur they are often mild and short lived, but seek medical help for severe reactions.
- Lightheadedness or wooziness, especially when standing up fast.
- Symptoms similar to influenza such as fatigue and muscle aches.
- Upper respiratory signs like nasal congestion, sinus pain or aching head.
- Musculoskeletal pain, which can include back pain.
If you experience swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, fainting or severe dizziness seek urgent medical attention.
Pharmacokinetic Drug Reciprocal online collaborative interactions connect users across distances.
Tell your clinician about all prescription medicines, over the counter drugs and herbal supplements you use. Several agents interact with telmisartan.
- ACE inhibitors and aliskiren: combining these can increase the risk of kidney impairment, hypotension and hyperkalaemia.
- Diuretics: may amplify blood pressure lowering and increase the chance of low blood pressure if volume depleted.
- Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): may reduce antihypertensive effect and increase renal stress, particularly in older or dehydrated patients.
- Potassium sparing drugs and potassium supplements: can raise serum potassium to dangerous levels when used with telmisartan.
- Lithium: concurrent use may increase lithium concentrations and toxicity; supervision and monitoring or alternate therapy is often necessary.
Hazardous Storage device and Disposal
- Keep the medicine in its original packaging to protect from moisture and light.
- Store at normal room temperature and out of reach of children and pets.
- Do not use after the expiry date shown on the pack and return unwanted medicines to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Options with British prices
If Sartel is not suitable or available there are multiple backup options. Choice depends on individual clinical needs and prescriber preference.
- Other angiotensin receptor blockers such as losartan, valsartan, candesartan, irbesartan and olmesartan offer comparable blood pressure control with subtle differences in dosing and tolerability.
- ACE inhibitors like ramipril, lisinopril and enalapril are commonly prescribed first line for many patients but can cause cough; ARBs are offered when ACE inhibitors are not tolerated.
- Fixed dose combinations, for example telmisartan with hydrochlorothiazide, may be used where monotherapy is insufficient.
Price estimates for the United Kingdom in GBP
Prices vary by retailer, pack size and whether you have an NHS prescription. The figures below are indicative and should be checked locally.
- Generic telmisartan 40 mg, 28 to 30 tablets: roughly between 3 and 12 pounds on a private prescription depending on pharmacy and dispensing fees.
- Branded products such as Micardis 40 mg: typical private prices range from about 12 to 30 pounds per pack.
- NHS prescriptions: England normally applies a standard charge per item (check the latest rate; it has been around 9.90 pounds recently). Prescriptions are generally free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For current costs ask your local pharmacy or recheck online pharmacy listings. If cost is a concern discuss generic options with your prescriber or pharmacist.
UK Access and Legal Affairs Information Center
- Juridical status: telmisartan is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) in the UK. A prescription from a prescriber registered in the UK is required for supply.
- Where to obtain: collect from pharmacies registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. For remote supply use online pharmacies that are registered and display their credentials.
- Do not share prescription medicines and follow recommended continuous monitoring such as blood pressure checks, kidney tests and blood potassium measurements.
- Travel and imports: bringing prescription medicines into the UK or importing them without appropriate documentation may breach regulations. Carry medicines in original packaging and keep a copy of your prescription when travelling.
- Pregnancy advice: in line with Official guidance for the United Kingdom, ARBs are contraindicated in the second and third trimesters and are usually avoided in pregnancy overall; discuss varied options in concert with your clinician.
See further Method of Dosing and Administration and Data surveillance and Safety safety guidelines Protocols for reliable practical guidance
Quick Facts Bulletin
- Telmisartan functions as the active substance.
- Main indication: management of hypertension and reduction of some cardiovascular risks.
- Common strength in this guide: 40 mg; other strengths include 20 mg and 80 mg.
- Main cautions: pregnancy, breastfeeding, renal or hepatic impairment, hyperkalaemia risk and social conversational exchanges influence perceptions and decisions. with ACE inhibitors, aliskiren, NSAIDs and lithium.
The content on this page is general information and is not a replacement for personalised medical advice. For specific recommendations contact your doctor or pharmacist.
- Is the brand-name Vidalista Black necessary for the same efficacy, or can the generic suffice?
- Empagliflozin: Facts, Dosing, and Safety
- The Basics of Doxycycline and Its Role