From the Guidelines
Combining Pritor (telmisartan) and amlodipine for hypertension management is generally well-tolerated, but patients should be monitored for potential side effects such as peripheral edema, dizziness, headache, and fatigue. The combination of telmisartan and amlodipine is effective for blood pressure control, and the side effects can be managed with proper monitoring and dose adjustments 1. Common side effects of this combination include:
- Peripheral edema (swelling in the ankles and feet), which occurs less frequently with this combination than with amlodipine alone because telmisartan's vasodilatory effects help counteract amlodipine's tendency to cause fluid retention
- Dizziness, headache, and fatigue, particularly when starting treatment or adjusting dosages, as blood pressure reduction can temporarily affect cerebral blood flow
- Hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure) is possible, especially in elderly patients, those who are volume-depleted, or individuals taking other medications that lower blood pressure
- Increased potassium levels (hyperkalemia), particularly those with kidney problems or diabetes, as telmisartan can reduce potassium excretion Less common side effects include cough (though less frequent than with ACE inhibitors), gastrointestinal disturbances, and rarely, allergic reactions 1. Patients should report persistent dizziness, fainting, significant swelling, or any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider, and regular monitoring of blood pressure, kidney function, and electrolytes is recommended during treatment 1. It is essential to follow the guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension, which recommend combining drugs from different classes to achieve greater blood pressure reduction and using lower doses of each individual agent to reduce side effects and improve adherence 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Co-administration of telmisartan did not result in a clinically significant interaction with ... amlodipine
The combination of Pritor (telmisartan) and amlodipine is not expected to have a clinically significant interaction. No significant side effects are directly reported in the drug label for this combination. 2
From the Research
Potential Side Effects of Combining Pritor (Telmisartan) and Amlodipine
The combination of telmisartan and amlodipine is used for the management of hypertension. While this combination is generally well-tolerated, there are potential side effects to consider:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness due to the blood pressure-lowering effect of both medications 3
- Headache, as reported in some clinical trials with the telmisartan/amlodipine combination 3
- Edema, which is a common side effect of amlodipine, may be observed in some patients 4
- Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or abdominal pain, although less common, can occur with the use of telmisartan 5
- Fatigue or tiredness, which may be related to the blood pressure-lowering effect or other mechanisms of the drugs 6
Safety Profile
The safety profile of the telmisartan and amlodipine combination has been evaluated in several studies:
- A systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that the combination of telmisartan, amlodipine, and chlorthalidone had a generally safe profile with no significant differences in serious adverse events compared to control groups 6
- Another study found that telmisartan/amlodipine was well-tolerated in clinical trials, including 36-week follow-up studies 3
- The TACT India study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the fixed-dose combination of telmisartan and amlodipine in a large Indian population with hypertension, which may provide further insights into the safety profile of this combination 7
Considerations for Specific Patient Groups
Certain patient groups may require special consideration when using the telmisartan and amlodipine combination:
- Elderly patients, who may be more susceptible to the hypotensive effects of the combination 4
- Patients with diabetes, who may benefit from the use of telmisartan due to its potential protective effects on renal function 4
- Obese patients, who may require closer monitoring of blood pressure and adjustment of the treatment regimen as needed 4