From the Guidelines
Pritor (telmisartan) can cause several side effects, including dizziness, back pain, sinus inflammation, and diarrhea, and patients should be aware of these potential effects when taking the medication. The side effects of Pritor are primarily related to its mechanism of action as an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), which affects blood pressure regulation and fluid balance in the body 1. Common side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Back pain
- Sinus inflammation
- Diarrhea Some patients may also experience upper respiratory tract infections, fatigue, or headaches. More serious but less common side effects include low blood pressure (hypotension), which may cause lightheadedness especially when standing up quickly, and elevated potassium levels (hyperkalemia). Rarely, Pritor can cause allergic reactions with symptoms like rash, itching, or swelling of the face, lips, or tongue. In very rare cases, it may affect kidney function, particularly in patients with pre-existing kidney problems or those taking certain medications like diuretics or NSAIDs simultaneously. It is essential for patients to contact their healthcare provider if they experience severe dizziness, fainting, signs of kidney problems (such as decreased urination), or any signs of allergic reaction 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Telmisartan tablets may cause serious side effects, including: Injury or death to your unborn baby. Low blood pressure (hypotension)is most likely to happen if you also: take water pills (diuretics) are on a low-salt diet get dialysis treatments have heart problems get sick with vomiting or diarrhea If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down and call your doctor right away. Kidney problems,which may get worse if you already have kidney disease You may have changes in your kidney test results, and you may need a lower dose of telmisartan tablets. Call your doctor if you get: swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands unexplained weight gain Call your doctor right away if you get any of the symptoms listed above. High potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia). Your doctor may check your potassium levels as needed Rare, serious allergic reactions may happen. Tell your doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms: swelling of the face, tongue, throat difficulty breathing skin rash The most common side effects of telmisartan tablets include: sinus pain and congestion (sinusitis) back pain diarrhea
The side effects of Pritor (telmisartan) include:
- Serious side effects: injury or death to an unborn baby, low blood pressure, kidney problems, high potassium in the blood, and rare, serious allergic reactions.
- Common side effects: sinus pain and congestion, back pain, and diarrhea. It is essential to discuss any concerns or questions about these side effects with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant, have kidney or heart problems, or are taking other medications. 2
From the Research
Pritor (Telmisartan) Side Effects
- The provided studies do not directly report on the side effects of Pritor (telmisartan) in detail, but they do mention its tolerability profile and efficacy in managing hypertension 3, 4.
- Telmisartan is described as being well tolerated in patients with mild to moderate hypertension, with a tolerability profile similar to that of placebo 4.
- One study notes that telmisartan is significantly less likely to cause persistent, dry cough compared to lisinopril, a common side effect of ACE inhibitors 4.
- While the studies on telmisartan itself do not list specific side effects, another angiotensin II receptor antagonist, losartan, has been reported to have side effects such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and anemia 5, 6.
- A case report associated losartan with tremors and dysarthria, although this is not directly related to telmisartan 5.
- An interaction between telmisartan and etoricoxib (a COX-2 inhibitor) was reported to cause life-threatening hyperkalemia and acute kidney dysfunction in a patient on a low sodium diet 7, highlighting the importance of monitoring potential drug interactions.
Comparison with Other Antihypertensive Agents
- Telmisartan's efficacy and tolerability are compared favorably with other antihypertensive agents, including amlodipine, atenolol, enalapril, and lisinopril 3, 4.
- The studies suggest that telmisartan can be a valuable first-line treatment option for the management of essential hypertension due to its consistent antihypertensive efficacy and favorable tolerability profile 3.