Telma H is a generic medicine used for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). It is important to keep your blood pressure under control in order to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease.
It contains two active ingredients – telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide. Telmisartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that works by relaxing and dilating blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic, also called a water pill, which increases the amount of urine you make and relaxes blood vessels to bring down blood pressure, according to WebMD.
Generic Name and Substitutes
Telma H is nothing but one of many generic versions of Micardis HCT. Like its branded counterpart Telma H is used when one drug alone fails to control your blood pressure. The generic name of telmisartan-hydrochlorothiazide is Telma H, while its brand name is Micardis HCT.
Indian-based Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. manufactures Telma H pills, while German-based pharma company Boehringer Ingelheim develops Micardis HCT. Other companies that develop Micardis HCT substitutes include Alembic Pharms, Aurobindo Pharma, Lupin Ltd, Prinston Inc., Torrent, and Zydus Pharms.
Micardis HCT (12.5 mg-40 mg) costs you around $235 for a supply of 30 tablets, depending on the pharmacy you visit, according to Drugs.com. Telma H, on the other hand, is much cheaper than Micardis HCT. For the same number of pills, Telma H (12.5 mg-40 mg) would cost you around $80, depending on the pharmacy you choose.
Side Effects
Like Micardis HCT, Telma H may or may not cause mild side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, and diarrhea. To prevent dizziness or lightheadedness during treatment, you must get up slowly from a sitting or lying position.
This generic high blood pressure medicine may cause dehydration because hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that may remove excess water, salt, and minerals from the body. So, get immediate medical attention if you experience any signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps or weakness, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or confusion.
Precautions
Telma H is not an ideal medicine for those who are allergic to either telmisartan or hydrochlorothiazide. You should inform your prescribing doctor if you have kidney disease, liver dysfunction, bile duct disorders, electrolyte imbalance, lupus, or skin cancer. Mild dizziness is one of the common side effects of Telma H so you must avoid alcohol and substances like marijuana during treatment. Also, avoid driving or operating machinery during therapy.
People with diabetes must check their blood sugar levels during treatment with Telma H because it may affect their blood sugar. This medicine may also affect your potassium levels so seek medical advice before using any kind of potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium. Telma H is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may harm a fetus.
Interactions
Drug interactions could alter the efficacy of medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Therefore, it is always advised to keep a list of all medications you take, irrespective of prescription drugs, OTC drugs, supplements, or herbal products. Share this list with your prescribing doctor. Telma H may interact adversely with medications such as aliskiren, dofetilide, lithium, ACE inhibitors like benazepril and lisinopril, oral contraceptives containing drospirenone, and ramipril, according to WebMD. Certain cold and cough medications or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen may also interact with Telma H.
