telmisartan and amlodipine

hi blog, how are you? im good thanks.

today i've decided to learn about Micardis.
dispense it heaps but all i know is that its an antihypertensive. because the packet says so.
ok so the active ingredient is telmisartan, from the class of 'Sartans'. its an angiotensin II, and its receptor AT1, antagonist. they dont stop breakdown of bradykinin.
its dosing is usually 40mgs d but that can be increased to 80mg. For prevention of heart failure in >55y/o, you can give 80mgs. For those with hepatic impairment, stick to 40mg. its Cat D.
you can get telmisartan in combination with amlodipine (5 or 10mg) or hydrochlorothiazide (12.5 or 25 mgs).
the telmisartan in combination with amlodipine is your Twynsta, and Micardis Plus is the one with hydro..chlorothiazide.
side effects: dizziness (so get up slowly when taking it), headache, hyperkalaemia (avoid K supplements unless medically advised), be careful of renal impairment
you get the full therapeutic effect after 4-6 weeks. if the treatment is found to be inadequate, it is better to add a second antihypertensive than to increase the dose.

and since we're on it, Amlodipine. Calcium channel blocker. so it blocks Ca2+ from entering the cell, mainly in vascular smooth muscle. Calcium channel blockers are used for hypertension and angina.
some Side effects: flushing, headache, rash, peripheral oedema
dosing for >6y/o: 2.5 - 5 mg d then increase over 1-2 weeks to 10mgs. 2.5mg d for the elderly with hepatic impairment. i dont think theres a company that actually manufactures 2.5mg amlo tho? :S
you can combi it with your telmisartan anddd atorvastatin and perindopril. the telmisartan with atorvastation is your Caduet. in that, the amlodipine component comes in either 5 or 10mg. i dont know why youd put a statin with amlo though :( amh doesnt say but i assume its to prevent stroke or something? maybe?


fank yew AMH